Topping DX1 II DAC & HP Amp Review

[ATTI]

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

don't quite understand what you're getting at, it was just a reminder to everyone that you shouldn't be lazy about connecting the DAC directly to the PC motherboard USB port, not via headers + front panel case cables.

 

[terminus12]

Is the DX1 II capable of driving the HE400SE via the balanced output with a -9.3 dB preamp setting? I don't listen at high volumes, but I do listen to classical music and require a very wide dynamic range.

 

[whazzup]

Any detectable latency issues when using the PEQ?

Sounds like a good alternative to the Wiim mini to go between TV and speakers.

 

[Demmers]

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.

Already been discovered and raised to Topping, such as here

Topping DX1 II DAC & HP Amp Review

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...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Vladetz]

New update

 

[giraffe]

Added: Device knob single-click and double-click support for media keys: Play/Pause, Previous Track, Next Track

Strange design choice. Mapping these functions to the encoder press implies it's meant to be used frequently, but it's simply not practical:

• The unit is too lightweight, and the encoder press requires too much force — you can't press it without holding the device down with same/other hand.
• The encoder is sensitive and sometimes registers rotation when pressed if you are not careful.

For these reasons, using the press function on a regular basis is just not something you'd want to do.

 

[Demmers]

Strange design choice. Mapping these functions to the encoder press implies it's meant to be used frequently, but it's simply not practical:

• The unit is too lightweight, and the encoder press requires too much force — you can't press it without holding the device down with same/other hand.
• The encoder is sensitive and sometimes registers rotation when pressed if you are not careful.

For these reasons, using the press function on a regular basis is just not something you'd want to do.

Funny, I beamed with a smile when I saw this update!
I have it on my computer desk to the left of the keyboard, and on the few occasions I press the knob, I just use the fingers to press against the back edge, and press the knob with the thumb.
Whenever the wife comes into my "man cave" behind me, originally I mapped the single press to mute, but now I can actually pause!

 

[giraffe]

Funny, I beamed with a smile when I saw this update!
I have it on my computer desk to the left of the keyboard, and on the few occasions I press the knob, I just use the fingers to press against the back edge, and press the knob with the thumb.
Whenever the wife comes into my "man cave" behind me, originally I mapped the single press to mute, but now I can actually pause!

Many modern keyboards have fn+ key combinations for media control (or separate buttons), which seems more convenient and faster to use with a PC than the knob on the DX1, you don't have to take your hands off the keyboard.
When the wife enters the "man cave," every second counts...

 

[Demmers]

Many modern keyboards have fn+ key combinations for media control (or separate buttons), which seems more convenient and faster to use with a PC than the knob on the DX1, you don't have to take your hands off the keyboard.
When the wife enters the "man cave," every second counts...

"Many modern keyboards have fn+ key combinations for media control..."
DOH!
"When the wife enters the "man cave," every second counts..."
Truer words have never been spoken

 

[Involver]

Latest update working well for me, except it is stopping my Mac from sleeping.

 

[Hipster Doofus]

As usual I get confused around input and output needs....
Can I use this as my main dac with any of the following amps and get the bonus of PEQ

Fosi V 3 monos
Topping B200
Ampapa D1

And what setting should I use.

 

[john61ct]

Can I use this as my main dac with any of the following amps

Yes, straightforward for amps with SE RCA inputs.

For balanced inputs, you need to buy a splitter / adapter from the 4.4mm Pentaconn line out jack of the DX1 II, to say XLR inputs of your balanced amplifier.

Put the DAC into "Pre" adjustable volume mode to activate the rear line-out ports

Always start at low volume when gain staging, turn power amp on last and off first.

 

[Astray]

For my old setup I've been using an RCA splitter on a DX3 Pro to send the audio signal to my amp and subwoofer. I would like to use the balanced output on this device but not sure how I would output the signal to my subwoofer since it pretty much only supports RCA input. Can this output to both RCA and Balanced outputs at the same time or is there some kind of splitter I would need for this as well?

 

[Adornix_jitz]

Is the DX1 II capable of driving the HE400SE via the balanced output with a -9.3 dB preamp setting? I don't listen at high volumes, but I do listen to classical music and require a very wide dynamic range.

it should be sufficient!

for comparison: i drive my HE400se from Fiio Qx13 on 3.5(!) (desktop mode & high gain). I'm listening mainly to good recordings of classical music with sometimes a preamp of -15 (usually -10)
the maximum i reach is 50 of 60 (or 100/120) volume steps. it becomes very uncomfortable for me at 55.

the Fiio is lower specced (unfortunately I didn't found real measurement of it's power delivery)

 

[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.

After the last firmware update, now it's working fine. Great Job Topping!

 

[john61ct]

For my old setup I've been using an RCA splitter on a DX3 Pro to send the audio signal to my amp and subwoofer. I would like to use the balanced output on this device but not sure how I would output the signal to my subwoofer since it pretty much only supports RCA input. Can this output to both RCA and Balanced outputs at the same time or is there some kind of splitter I would need for this as well?

rear-panel RCA and 4.4mm balanced jacks output simultaneously

 

[Khibs]

I got mine and love all the features/options, but I was getting small pops. I tried various USB ports etc, and have it all updated. I was just listening to spotify/youtube etc. I went back to my ZH3, but if it's `USB driver related, hopefully they iron that all out cause I really liked everything else about it.

 

[Pausi]

I got mine and love all the features/options, but I was getting small pops. I tried various USB ports etc, and have it all updated. I was just listening to spotify/youtube etc. I went back to my ZH3, but if it's `USB driver related, hopefully they iron that all out cause I really liked everything else about it.

This has been a problem all the way unfortunately. I think this is a hardware problem Topping is not able to solve.

 

[OldTimer]

This has been a problem all the way unfortunately. I think this is a hardware problem Topping is not able to solve.

Is there any option switching from Headphone-Out to Line-Out both in the hardware and app?

I think that's wasting connectors for Line-Out because usually we can use the same connector, just setting the direct signal to Headphone-Out. Like in my DAP, just switch mode from Headphone to Line-Out then come up warning "volume will be very high, will damage your ear!"

I'm considering to buy Schiit Vestri but don't know whether there is a switch from Headphone-Out to Line-Out. It also has balanced output but no PEQ.

 

[Edward PR]

I got mine and love all the features/options, but I was getting small pops. I tried various USB ports etc, and have it all updated. I was just listening to spotify/youtube etc. I went back to my ZH3, but if it's `USB driver related, hopefully they iron that all out cause I really liked everything else about it.

Does the sample rate change produce any pop or sound?