Topping DX1 II DAC & HP Amp Review

[Pausi]

Both mine have this error too. But then again I can’t use it in DAC-mode via line out balanced or RCA either. Headphone ports in the front work fine and it’s perfect to keep my paperwork in place on my desk.
A suggestion: just sit with your back against the speakers or reverse the headphone on your head.

 

[tb2025]

V15.86.22.86. When routing optical out to the D50 III, the left and right channels are completely swapped.

EDIT: Enabling the PEQ causes the channels to reverse again.

I've flagged this bug to Topping.

 

[LesterHiggins]

Beware. Stating these potential hardware flaws might indicate bad QC at Topping and that I’m not a lone psychopath. Now you will also be called delusional and hear that the DX1-II is performing excellent by someone else, therefore there is nothing wrong with this device or Toppings design and production. I just got another one in house and it has the same issues. Just terrible. But then of course it could be that Topping has pinpointed me as a dislikable character in their CRM-system so they’ll always send me a faulty device.
(Please if you are under 40 years old, this is called sarcasm and has nothing to do with conspiracy theories. It’s an old thing.)

I'm so old, I don't really "get" streaming, and it makes me agitated and confused. Don't worry, you're not a lone psychopath. There are at least 2 of us. Since Topping seems a little advanced for you, maybe try a WiiM? (also sarcasm... WiiM, the answer to everything... and totally not a cult)

 

[Power Pop 23]

I'm so old, I don't really "get" streaming, and it makes me agitated and confused. Don't worry, you're not a lone psychopath. There are at least 2 of us. Since Topping seems a little advanced for you, maybe try a WiiM? (also sarcasm... WiiM, the answer to everything... and totally not a cult)

WiiM devices,

Affordable, performant solutions for a streaming scenario.

 

[Limopard]

USB power really is an issue here. FW update had to be done with a powered USB hub, the desktop PC couldn't deliver enough power. A separate power input would be fine, at least an y-shaped splitter could be added to the package.

 

[Mutex]

USB power really is an issue here. FW update had to be done with a powered USB hub, the desktop PC couldn't deliver enough power. A separate power input would be fine, at least an y-shaped splitter could be added to the package.

When connecting to the PC, did you use the USB-C to USB-C cable? You need to make sure you're using USB ports from the mainboard that offer enough power. USB-C ports on mainboards often have enough power to charge a phone.

 

[Demmers]

USB power really is an issue here. FW update had to be done with a powered USB hub, the desktop PC couldn't deliver enough power. A separate power input would be fine, at least an y-shaped splitter could be added to the package.

This is not related to the DAC, this is an issue at the PC end. Any PC or laptop with at least USB-2 ports should be able to drive this. What ports and cable are you using? Do you have any other peripherals you can test from the same port?

 

[Limopard]

This is not related to the DAC, this is an issue at the PC end. Any PC or laptop with at least USB-2 ports should be able to drive this. What ports and cable are you using? Do you have any other peripherals you can test from the same port?

2020 desktop pc with USB 3.0 front port. USB A-->C 3.0 cable, 1,2 m long. Maybe it would have worked with a port direct on the main board but I was to lazy to try.

 

[ATTI]

Those front or top USB ports at PC cases often not good enough even for normal data transfer from phones.

 

[jsheard]

Is the silver version of this (and the DX5II I guess) a raw aluminium finish or just coated with a metallic paint? It's hard to tell from the photos.

 

[Soundproof]

Those front or top USB ports at PC cases often not good enough even for normal data transfer from phones.

...but you'll check that in advance, wouldn't you? After all, that's what ASR is all about? Checking performance and figures?

Would you purchase Arendal 1528 towers and be disappointed if it doesn't work well with your (imaginary) beloved Topping PA3s?

 

[RB7]

Topping, please see my latest list of improvements, on V15.86.22.86.

Compatibility

• Auto-disable MacOS volume controls (and grey out on MacBook Touch Bar) when DX1 II is the chosen output device on MacOS (see below):

Topping Home WEB

URGENT FIXES:

• UNDO - not working on Mac in Google Chrome!!!
• Prevent page scroll when adjusting Q in parametric display by holding ctrl/command and dragging with mouse.
• Prevent gain/bands values changing when page scrolling - many value’s change upon scrolling, then I’m unable to undo it.

MAJOR GUI IMPROVEMENT:

• Change the order of Cloud PEQ profiles - I want to drag profiles above and below each other (currently the latest profile remains at the top).
• Make the column of PEQ profiles scrollable.

MINOR GUI IMPROVEMENTS:

• Show smoothing in PEQ, like Auto EQ.
• Unable to type “dB” when pasting value into the FREQ field - it will only accept the number, e.g. “115”, and not “115 dB”.
• It’s double-click to open the input field for FREQ and Q, but only a single click to open GAIN.
• Error codes go away far too quickly - like 1 second - we don’t have time to read them.

Hardware

• The build quality of the USB-C port at the rear is not solid like the other ports. It’s wiggles quite a lot, and doesn’t give me much confidence.
• I wish the multifunction knob had slightly more resistance when rotating, so that when you click and double click, it doesn’t rotate unintentionally.

Thank you.

 

[Pausi]

Topping, please see my latest list of improvements, on V15.86.22.86.

Compatibility

• Auto-disable MacOS volume controls (and grey out on MacBook Touch Bar) when DX1 II is the chosen output device on MacOS (see below):

View attachment 546262

Topping Home WEB

URGENT FIXES:

• UNDO - not working on Mac in Google Chrome!!!
• Prevent page scroll when adjusting Q in parametric display by holding ctrl/command and dragging with mouse.
• Prevent gain/bands values changing when page scrolling - many value’s change upon scrolling, then I’m unable to undo it.

MAJOR GUI IMPROVEMENT:

• Change the order of Cloud PEQ profiles - I want to drag profiles above and below each other (currently the latest profile remains at the top).
• Make the column of PEQ profiles scrollable.

MINOR GUI IMPROVEMENTS:

• Show smoothing in PEQ, like Auto EQ.
• Unable to type “dB” when pasting value into the FREQ field - it will only accept the number, e.g. “115”, and not “115 dB”.
• It’s double-click to open the input field for FREQ and Q, but only a single click to open GAIN.
• Error codes go away far too quickly - like 1 second - we don’t have time to read them.

Hardware

• The build quality of the USB-C port at the rear is not solid like the other ports. It’s wiggles quite a lot, and doesn’t give me much confidence.
• I wish the multifunction knob had slightly more resistance when rotating, so that when you click and double click, it doesn’t rotate unintentionally.

Thank you.

Have you sent this list directly to Topping?

 

[RB7]

Have you sent this list directly to Topping?

Hi, yes of course

 

[Khibs]

Hey peeps, would you guys pick this over the ZH3? I have one boxed and I'm waiting on my Arya Stealths to come, and then came across this. It looks really nice. I was originally going to get the DX5II, but got scared off from it's QC issues.

Feature set wise, It looks better to me, so mainly asking about internals i guess to drive the Aryas etc. I'm a noob to Dacs.

 

[Mutex]

Hey peeps, would you guys pick this over the ZH3? I have one boxed and I'm waiting on my Arya Stealths to come, and then came across this. It looks really nice. I was originally going to get the DX5II, but got scared off from it's QC issues.

Feature set wise, It looks better to me, so mainly asking about internals i guess to drive the Aryas etc. I'm a noob to Dacs.

Yes. The DX1 II has built-in PEQ that you can control with your browser from a Web Interface (see example below).

You can go to this page and find the entries for the Arya measurements. Find yours (Arya, Arya Organic, Arya Stealth, Arya Unveiled), open the respective measurement PDF, find the table at the end of the PDF and input the numbers into the PEQ. You'll correct the headphone sound to approach the Harman target curve.

Once you know how to use a PEQ you can completely change the sound of your headphone to anything you like (more or less bass, more or less treble, etc.). It's a powerful tool I consider a must-have for any DAC/amp I buy.

 

[Dk33145]

Got mine in drop shipped from China. And it is phenomenal. Plenty loud driving my Noire X at -30db and if I am being honest, sound imaging is better than my Dx5 ii. It works just fine with a crappy old USB cable powering it through a y cable. And my phone still charges. A tad bright for my taste but that is entirely a PEQ issue. Really just astonished by the level of tech that went into this. Desktop level sound in a small unit with a simple USB cable. And no pops whatsoever on Usbaudiopro.

 

[Khibs]

Yes. The DX1 II has built-in PEQ that you can control with your browser from a Web Interface (see example below).

You can go to this page and find the entries for the Arya measurements. Find yours (Arya, Arya Organic, Arya Stealth, Arya Unveiled), open the respective measurement PDF, find the table at the end of the PDF and input the numbers into the PEQ. You'll correct the headphone sound to approach the Harman target curve.

Once you know how to use a PEQ you can completely change the sound of your headphone to anything you like (more or less bass, more or less treble, etc.). It's a powerful tool I consider a must-have for any DAC/amp I buy.

View attachment 546345

Thanks! I ending up ordering one to try it out. I'm on PC, so can use whatever software, but the built one In seems really convenient.

 

[AgarWave]

Interesting at this price it could also be worthwhile just as a digital USB to Toslink bridge with EQ to some older equipment without USB . With a free high quality DAC and headphone amp tossed in

at this price point, modern budget hardware has made pristine, transparent digital conversion completely accessible to everyone.

 

[Lalosama]

I just found a bug on my Topping DX1 II running the latest firmware (v2.86). With my setup (DX1 II Optical Output -> FiiO K13) When the PEQ is turned OFF, the Left and Right channels through the optical output are completely inverted. Left audio plays on the right side, and vice versa.

If I turn the PEQ ON (using a completely flat profile with 0 adjustments), the L/R channels immediately correct themselves and play as they should. I do notice a slight overall volume drop when the PEQ is active.

How I can fix this? This clearly is a major bug and I need to find a solution.