Topping DX1 II DAC & HP Amp Review

[Soundproof]

The Topping web updater works fine for me without making Chrome my default browser, and there's a beta version of the web-based firmware updater that doesn't require the ancillary Mac app. Still have to use a Chromium-based browser, but that's it.

Would argue Topping Home is still in heavy development. Don't really picture that beta as more risky than the released iteration, but I think I'll stay away from Topping betas for now. I'll leave that until it is properly matured. Dropping the Mac webapp is good news though, the present solution is pointing here, there, and everywhere. Sort of.

The Mullvad VPN app is using Chromium, but in general I prefer to stay off that wagon. I use Brave for Topping Home by the way, and that's all I use Brave for.

Anyway, as I will only use DX1 II with the Mac, iQualize will have to do for other than firmware updates. If the bt buds/headsets are identifable by MacOS, one can stick profiles to the buds and it switches to the default profile for the buds connected, thus it covers my usage rather well even as version 0.60.

 

[billou5767]

sorry for the question : i see 3 colors , the case is in plastic or metal ?

 

[Vladetz]

sorry for the question : i see 3 colors , the case is in plastic or metal ?

Metal in all versions

 

[jsheard]

Is the silver version finished bare metal or painted metallic? The latter tends to feel cheap IMO.

 

[Vladetz]

Is the silver version finished bare metal or painted metallic? The latter tends to feel cheap IMO.

Bare metal
Not very glossy like in official photos
Mine is silver, photo attached

 

[ATTI]

Finally, I also found out some kind of pops(clicks) with DX1 II. With USB connection nevermind 44K or 48K set in windows mixer, it pops at single ended RCA output every time when music starts when seeking at youtube, when seeking in foobar. V15.92.22.92 firmware with both Dac and Preamp modes for LO. There is no such behavior at headphones outputs, can't say now about 4.4 balanced LO.
I found it accidentally, when tried to listen via other headphone amp with RCA connection, also now confirmed the same with external power amp and speakers.

 

[tb2025]

Finally, I also found out some kind of pops(clicks) with DX1 II. With USB connection nevermind 44K or 48K set in windows mixer, it pops at single ended RCA output every time when music starts when seeking at youtube, when seeking in foobar. V15.92.22.92 firmware with both Dac and Preamp modes for LO. There is no such behavior at headphones outputs, can't say now about 4.4 balanced LO.
I found it accidentally, when tried to listen via other headphone amp with RCA connection, also now confirmed the same with external power amp and speakers.

I tested the previous firmware and the RCA indeed had pops. Didn't expect the latest firmware still hasn't fixed it. This bug has existed since launch.
No popping on the rear balanced connection, but noise issues occur with certain power amps. There is a buzzing noise with the Aiyima A70, while the Mini 300 is normal. This seems to be the power leakage mentioned by ntty, as I have no such issue when connecting the D50 III to the A70.

 

[ATTI]

I tested the previous firmware and the RCA indeed had pops. Didn't expect the latest firmware still hasn't fixed it. This bug has existed since launch.

It can be firmware related only in case if it is caused by such driving mute keys at RCA output by XMOS. We have no poping at balanced internal power amp and no popping at rear balanced out, so it is a hardware specific behavior which born in single-ended stage after balanced or it is software popping by mute keys at RCA.

 

[Roland68]

Is the silver version finished bare metal or painted metallic? The latter tends to feel cheap IMO.

Bare metal
Not very glossy like in official photos
Mine is silver, photo attached

It is definitely not bare aluminum, regardless of the color.
In the case of silver, it is either a coating or an anodized finish.

 

[matthew4]

Maybe I'm crazy, but when using the DX1 II with a PS5 (UAC 1 mode), it sounds as if there is a slight 3D spatial filter being applied. It sounds perfectly fine to me when I have it connected to my computer though. I have 3D audio and other audio effects on the Playstation all disabled. When I switch to 2 other audio devices I have, it sounds normal. Is anyone else experiencing this?

 

[john61ct]

Are you keeping it in UAC1 mode connected to other hosts?

 

[matthew4]

Are you keeping it in UAC1 mode connected to other hosts?

Yes

 

[john61ct]

Playstation chips might actually be different. For UAC2 compatible hosts I would switch to that mode, lots of improvements.

 

[PacketofCrisps]

If I plug this into the red usb 3.1 sockets on the back of my motherboard (that supply up to 3amps) will this take advantage of the extra amperage available?

 

[matthew4]

Playstation chips might actually be different. For UAC2 compatible hosts I would switch to that mode, lots of improvements.

Oh, I thought you meant for comparison's sake between the PS5 and PC (PS5 doesn't support UAC2 unfortunately). I was keeping it on UAC1 to verify that it wasn't the mode causing the weirdness. I always change it to UAC2 when actually using it on PC.

 

[john61ct]

Good. So yes it IS the UAC1 mode just (more specifically) the interactiin between the two.

You did not say it is a problem...

 

[matthew4]

Good. So yes it IS the UAC1 mode just (more specifically) the interactiin between the two.

You did not say it is a problem...

huh? UAC1 and UAC2 sound identical on PC. However, in general I noticed that the DX1 II, after testing all day, sounds different vs 3 other audio outputs I own. (another dac/amp, a portable dongle dac, and an Audio interface.) all 3 of those sound the same on PS5 and on PC. the DX1 II Sounds different. It doesn't sound bad as in quality, it just sounds like it has a slight 3D spatial audio upmixer applied that makes stereo sound like kind of virtual surround sound. I'm wondering if I somehow got a bad unit. I'm not too familiar with how amp power relates to loudness, but using my Sennheiser HD490 Pro Headphones, the DX1 II does not get loud enough at 0dB on low gain. on High gain it gets loud enough around -18dB (single ended btw).

 

[tccalvin]

Maybe I'm crazy, but when using the DX1 II with a PS5 (UAC 1 mode), it sounds as if there is a slight 3D spatial filter being applied. It sounds perfectly fine to me when I have it connected to my computer though. I have 3D audio and other audio effects on the Playstation all disabled. When I switch to 2 other audio devices I have, it sounds normal. Is anyone else experiencing this?

I was thinking about making some measurements of this. USB audio on PS5 IS meaningfully different from USB audio on other sources, in the sense that it is limited to 16-bit, 48kHz. On paper, you shouldn't hear anything more than a little more noise, but I haven't found any source that can verify this.

 

[doodoodude]

Has anyone here used this DAC with an LG OLED C-series TV via optical? I'm wondering if there are any dropout issues caused by jitter from the LG OLED TV's optical output.

 

[tccalvin]

Has anyone here used this DAC with an LG OLED C-series TV via optical? I'm wondering if there are any dropout issues caused by jitter from the LG OLED TV's optical output.

According to @NTTY 's review there shouldn't be any drop-outs with the latest firmware.