Topping DX1 II DAC & HP Amp Review

[john61ct]

Yes that is my habit as well. Thanks for those details

 

[whazzup]

Finally found some time to tinker with my setup. Pretty happy with the DX1 ii so far.

Source: PC for now, eventually will be deployed to living room.
DAC / Preamp / EQ: Topping DX1 ii
Amp: O-noorus D4 Pro (for Optical input, HPF, LPF, Sub-out)
Speakers: KEF Egg (HTS3001SE)
Subwoofer: Edifier T5s

 

[doodoodude]

The pop noise when turning on the device got much smaller when I set the volume for all three modes (LO+HP, LO only, HP only) to the same or similar levels.

The loud turn-on pop noise happened because I set the two modes I don't use to -99dB, while keeping my main headphone mode at a normal volume.

Turns out this was my mistake. The volume level had nothing to do with it.

Could someone help me run a quick test? I'm wondering if this is just my unit or a normal thing.

1. Connect to a PC via USB, plug in headphones, and put them on.
2. Make sure both HP and OPT outputs are on in the web settings (OPT is on by default).
3. Play any audio, then stop it.
4. Turn off the DX1 II, wait 3 seconds, and turn it back on (repeat this a few times).

For me, there is a popping sound from the front 3.5mm/4.4mm jack when it powers on (it's pretty loud on the 3.5mm jack).

If I turn off the OPT output in the web settings and set it to HP only, the popping sound disappears when powering on.

Most posts only talk about the line-out issue and don't mention the headphone jack, so I'm wondering if my unit is defective.

 

[whazzup]

Turns out this was my mistake. The volume level had nothing to do with it.

Could someone help me run a quick test? I'm wondering if this is just my unit or a normal thing.

1. Connect to a PC via USB, plug in headphones, and put them on.
2. Make sure both HP and OPT outputs are on in the web settings (OPT is on by default).
3. Play any audio, then stop it.
4. Turn off the DX1 II, wait 3 seconds, and turn it back on (repeat this a few times).

For me, there is a popping sound from the front 3.5mm/4.4mm jack when it powers on (it's pretty loud on the 3.5mm jack).

If I turn off the OPT output in the web settings and set it to HP only, the popping sound disappears when powering on.

Most posts only talk about the line-out issue and don't mention the headphone jack, so I'm wondering if my unit is defective.

Tried your steps a few times with HP + OPT, but didn't get popping sound. Could be random issue. Have you tried using different usb ports? This persists across computer power on/off cycles?

 

[doodoodude]

Tried your steps a few times with HP + OPT, but didn't get popping sound. Could be random issue. Have you tried using different usb ports? This persists across computer power on/off cycles?

Thanks for testing it out. Yeah, I tried multiple USB ports and got the same result.

It also happens when I turn on the PC and power is supplied to the DAC, though it's relatively quiet.But when the PC is already running and I turn the DX1 II off and back on, there is always a loud pop through the connected headphones.

I really have no idea how having the OPT output enabled or disabled is even related to this.

 

[dagon99]

I am sending the unit back, together with the Edition XS. sound quality is awesome, but I get a lot of random dropouts, sometimes even multiple during one track. Also once in a while there is a loud static noise for 3 seconds and then I have to reconnect the dx1 in order to get sound again. It's too annoying to deal with.

I still have the Steinberger UR22 MKII and the JBL LSR 305 and it is still going strong for almost 10 years. I prefer speaker in most situations anyways

 

[VientoB]

I get the popping every time I start playing music now. Optical input. RCA output to speakers.

 

[tb2025]

Topping seems to have cancelled the Topping Tune support for the DX1 II. Opening Topping Tune shows "not connected".

Moreover, the DX1 II page on the official website has now deleted Topping Tune; I saw it was still there two days ago.

---

 

[t$$]

Still seems to be working for me. I just upgraded firmware and software yesterday, and I am seeing this in Topping Tune:

Device Model: DX1 II
Device hardware version: V4.00
Device software version: V3.01
TOPPING Tune current version V1.16 (Latest versions according to the software itself)

I am using driver version 6.16.0 on Windows 11 Pro Insider Preview 26H1

Latest firmware: V16.01.23.01 available on Topping Home

 

[tb2025]

Still seems to be working for me. I just upgraded firmware and software yesterday, and I am seeing this in Topping Tune:

Device Model: DX1 II
Device hardware version: V4.00
Device software version: V3.01
TOPPING Tune current version V1.16 (Latest versions according to the software itself)

I am using driver version 6.16.0 on Windows 11 Pro Insider Preview 26H1

Latest firmware: V16.01.23.01 available on Topping Home

Probably a compatibility issue. I noticed a while back that the compatibility between the DX1 II and TOPPING Tune is a bit finicky.

Messing around with the PEQ too much can cause TOPPING Tune to show "not connected" the next time you open it, and I can't even remember how I got it to reconnect last time.

 

[whazzup]

Probably a compatibility issue. I noticed a while back that the compatibility between the DX1 II and TOPPING Tune is a bit finicky.

Messing around with the PEQ too much can cause TOPPING Tune to show "not connected" the next time you open it, and I can't even remember how I got it to reconnect last time.

What does Topping Tune has that Topping Home doesn't, for DX1 ii?

 

[tb2025]

What does Topping Tune has that Topping Home doesn't, for DX1 ii?

I am used to using TOPPING Tune to adjust EQ parameters.

When TOPPING Home was first released, I tried configuring the EQ there, but a bug cleared all of my parameters. Since then, I’ve been a bit too scared to even open its PEQ page.

 

[whazzup]

I am used to using TOPPING Tune to adjust EQ parameters.

When TOPPING Home was first released, I tried configuring the EQ there, but a bug cleared all of my parameters. Since then, I’ve been a bit too scared to even open its PEQ page.

Understood. FWIW so far I haven't encountered any crashes with Topping Home or the PEG functions. Was able to import the generated filters from REW, that was really nice, though I did make sure to have less than 10 bands.

 

[tb2025]

Understood. FWIW so far I haven't encountered any crashes with Topping Home or the PEG functions. Was able to import the generated filters from REW, that was really nice, though I did make sure to have less than 10 bands.

Based on my experience, frequently modifying EQ parameters has a certain odds of causing crashes or disconnections, while switching EQ does not.

These are all minor issues. Right now, our focus should be on the RCA popping noise issue, although I usually use balanced.

 

[whazzup]

Based on my experience, frequently modifying EQ parameters has a certain odds of causing crashes or disconnections, while switching EQ does not.

These are all minor issues. Right now, our focus should be on the RCA popping noise issue, although I usually use balanced.

Sure, hope they figure it out. For now optical works for me. And I noticed that if you turn off the analogue outputs the casing cools down quite a bit. Guess less work needed to pass data through the tunnel of light.

 

[whazzup]

I must say that the combo of the DSP DAC in DX1 ii, and the evolution of chip (cheap!) and powerful TPA3251/3255 amps have really let us up the EQ game. I don't need to fear that I'm running out of headroom and volume anymore when I'm cutting gain by 12db to boost frequencies. 10 bands is still pretty limiting, but thankfully REW can be reconfigured to use less bands. and only went up to 2000hz.
Love the direct REW import capability of the DX1 ii. Left speaker's near the side wall so more corrections' needed. And only reserved one band (2 if you count the ~135hz) for the subwoofer to fit in the 10-band restriction.

Sub + Speakers (Measured at listening position)

Curse of small rooms. Long bass decays, but it's good enough at regular volume.

 

[4estGimp]

I am sending the unit back, together with the Edition XS. sound quality is awesome, but I get a lot of random dropouts, sometimes even multiple during one track. Also once in a while there is a loud static noise for 3 seconds and then I have to reconnect the dx1 in order to get sound again. It's too annoying to deal with.

I still have the Steinberger UR22 MKII and the JBL LSR 305 and it is still going strong for almost 10 years. I prefer speaker in most situations anyways

Same. I have dropouts/micro-stutter every 5-10 seconds. I'm returning the unit in a couple days.

 

[doodoodude]

I ended up returning mine too. I plan to give it another shot later once the product becomes more stable.

That being said, other brands really need to take notes. Getting hardware EQ (especially with independent L/R channels) plus a remote at this price is pretty impressive. I hope this becomes the new standard.

 

[Bleib]

16.07.23.07 Firmware Release Note​

• Fixed: Distorted sound occurring during OPT automatic wake-up
• Fixed: Mute not working when LO/OPT fixed 0 dB output is enabled and only OPT or LO is selected
• Fixed: Some known issues

Topping Home - Preset Cloud

Explore and share audio presets with the Topping Home community

home.toppingaudio.com

 

[Jappie]

16.07.23.07 Firmware Release Note​

• Fixed: Distorted sound occurring during OPT automatic wake-up
• Fixed: Mute not working when LO/OPT fixed 0 dB output is enabled and only OPT or LO is selected
• Fixed: Some known issues

Topping Home - Preset Cloud

Explore and share audio presets with the Topping Home community

home.toppingaudio.com

Great, I thought! That loud BANG (electrical discharge) during OPT wake-up is gone?

Firmware updates take time. I can only do it on a Windows 10 PC.
OK, I did the firmware update: 16.07.23.07
Result on my default PC (Mac mini M4 Pro, Tahoe 26.6.2):
NOT FIXED: That loud BANG (electrical discharge) during OPT wake-up...

Work-around: disabled DX1 Automatic Standby (on/off).
Now: when I turn off the monitor (LG TV), the DX1 does not turn off.
No more electrical discharge during OPT wake-up...

Normal operation of DX1-ii (with PEQ) from USB or Optical input to Balanced Line Out is good.