Topping DX1 II DAC & HP Amp Review

[VientoB]

Yeah, I still get it too, but the crackle might be gone.

 

[Jappie]

Yeah, I still get it too, but the crackle might be gone.

No...
From source USB or Optical: Only Line Out Balanced is 'crackle'-free. (And probably Headphone balanced also crackle-free; don't have a balanced Headphone)

Every other output has 1 or 2 little 'Ticks' on my system.
Just tried Headphone from DX1 directly (front). Ticks.
Tried optical output to a Dac E30-II combo with L30-II HPamp. Ticks.
Hence: Tick-disease...

 

[Berwhale]

New firmware...

DX1 II V16.07.23.07 Firmware Update - Topping audio

TOPPING, born in 2008, has evolved into a beloved global HIFI brand favored by users worldwide. We firmly believe that higher-quality music playback devices are essential for truly showcasing the allure of music. By investing extensively in professional technology and exceptional industrial...

www.toppingaudio.com

2. Release Notes​

• Fixed: A popping noise when the device automatically woke from OPT input.
• Fixed: Mute did not work when LO/OPT fixed 0 dB output was enabled and only OPT or LO was selected.
• Fixed: Some known issues.

 

[Pausi]

Pop - crack- pop - tick - click: DX1 II The Neverending Story

 

[dagon99]

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

did you try another USB port? I went from the blue to red (3.2) port on my motherboard and so far I don't have dropouts anymore.

 

[Pausi]

did you try another USB port? I went from the blue to red (3.2) port on my motherboard and so far I don't have dropouts anymore.

What do you mean, blue to red? I have tried with USB out from WiiM Ultra streamer and from a Mac.

 

[Ahmonge]

What do you mean, blue to red? I have tried with USB out from WiiM Ultra streamer and from a Mac.

Home this helps

https://www.corsair.com/us/en/explorer/diy-builder/storage/usb-port-colors-explained/?srsltid=AfmBOor1VMSV4X_J4VHTamt-_szX0oVc7JYY16wDXAcvPZthWC1yVye_

 

[dagon99]

What do you mean, blue to red? I have tried with USB out from WiiM Ultra streamer and from a Mac.

do you have any dropouts? it's usually recommended to connect it directly to the motherboard. I still had problems with the usb 3.0 ports, because the lanes are overloaded, which causing the dx1 to drop out alot. I have alot of usb devices connected, but none on the red ports.

It seems to work for now.

 

[Soundproof]

New firmware...

DX1 II V16.07.23.07 Firmware Update - Topping audio

TOPPING, born in 2008, has evolved into a beloved global HIFI brand favored by users worldwide. We firmly believe that higher-quality music playback devices are essential for truly showcasing the allure of music. By investing extensively in professional technology and exceptional industrial...

www.toppingaudio.com

2. Release Notes​

• Fixed: A popping noise when the device automatically woke from OPT input.
• Fixed: Mute did not work when LO/OPT fixed 0 dB output was enabled and only OPT or LO was selected.
• Fixed: Some known issues.

By the looks of it, Topping Tune is no longer supporting DX1 II as of this version of the firmware.

 

[Soundproof]

Yup.

Firmware 23.07 on MacOS ensures that Topping Tune doesn't recognize DX1 II.

 

[whazzup]

Yup.

Firmware 23.07 on MacOS ensures that Topping Tune doesn't recognize DX1 II.

What can Tune do that Home can't at this point?
I noticed that if you turn off the internet, you can still access local PEQ settings in Home, though you can't access the main 'Home' page.
Note: I accessed it via the Topping Home icon on the Windows desktop (see the 'localhost' address), not from the Topping Home online address.

 

[Soundproof]

What can Tune do that Home can't at this point?
I noticed that if you turn off the internet, you can still access local PEQ settings in Home, though you can't access the main 'Home' page.
Note: I accessed it via the Topping Home icon on the Windows desktop (see the 'localhost' address), not from the Topping Home online address.

View attachment 556846

Featurewise Home is much better than Tune, no doubt.

But Home is still messy - home app and update app and so on. And I really fail to see any advantage for me for connecting superbanale pherperials like this and keyboard/mice to the manufacturer. Thus i have switched PEQ off and am using iQualize on my Mac.

 

[Shalvy]

I do, it's good but seems to have a lower output volume compared to PC.

Using HD490 Pros, balanced cable. On PC w/ high gain, anything past -30dB is extremely loud. On PS5, I have to set it to around -16dB to get the same perceived loudness.
Both PS5 and PC set to 100% OS Volume.

I was hoping the latest firmware update mentioning "Fixed: Low UAC1 recording volume when used with PS5", would fix the output as well, but it didn't.

I overall like the DX1 II. EQ works great. It does get a bit warm though. I do hear pops sometimes but only when adjusting volume and when going from no sound to playing sound. (This is specifically on PS5, I do not get pops on PC when setting the driver to "Always On").

Hi just created a profile here, thanks for sharing that info. This device seems to be affected by the low volume bug on the PS5 it seems? The way to get around it the developer has to create an option for host volume override like they did on the Qudelix 5K.

I haven't owned any Topping products so I don't know how that volume scale works but I am interested in this for its PEQ.

When you say on PC on high gain with your 490 Pro you use -30DB what would like be on a a scale of its max volume? Quarter, half, 3 quarters? Also when you say on PS5 to get similar volume you use -16DB and same question again? How much of its max power are you using? Half etc? Just trying to gauge what headphones I can really drive even after this low volume bug on PS5, thanks!

 

[staticV3]

When you say on PC on high gain with your 490 Pro you use -30DB what would like be on a a scale of its max volume? Quarter, half, 3 quarters?

-30dB is one eighth of full volume. 12.5%

0dB is max volume and every +10dB means double the playback volume.

 

[Shalvy]

-30dB is one eighth of full volume. 12.5%

0dB is max volume and every +10dB means double the playback volume.

Thank you for that explanation, so Matthew4 is able to use their HD490 Pro on balanced high gain at 1/8th full volume on PC, how would that translate over to the PS5 after the low volume bug at -16DB for similar volume?

Is -16Db more like half of full output volume?

Apologies with my weak understanding of these terms, as mentioned just trying to gauge the power output after the PS5 applies it's volume limit.

 

[4estGimp]

did you try another USB port? I went from the blue to red (3.2) port on my motherboard and so far I don't have dropouts anymore.

The behavior was the same whether using USB or Optical input.

 

[Janox]

After upgrading to the latest firmware, the volume control on any output does not work. Not even after setting it via Topping Home or via the remote control. What about it? It seems to be struggling with too many volume settings for different combinations of outputs.

 

[staticV3]

Thank you for that explanation, so Matthew4 is able to use their HD490 Pro on balanced high gain at 1/8th full volume on PC, how would that translate over to the PS5 after the low volume bug at -16DB for similar volume?

Is -16Db more like half of full output volume?

Apologies with my weak understanding of these terms, as mentioned just trying to gauge the power output after the PS5 applies it's volume limit.

Assuming that the PS5 low volume bug does result in a 16dB drop in volume (I don't know), Matthew4 would have to bump the DX1 II from -30 to -14dB to compensate.

-14dB is equal to 38% of maximum loudness.
-10dB would be exactly half volume, as I've already explained above.

 

[whazzup]

After upgrading to the latest firmware, the volume control on any output does not work. Not even after setting it via Topping Home or via the remote control. What about it? It seems to be struggling with too many volume settings for different combinations of outputs.

Do a factory reset?

 

[JeffGB]

After upgrading to the latest firmware, the volume control on any output does not work. Not even after setting it via Topping Home or via the remote control. What about it? It seems to be struggling with too many volume settings for different combinations of outputs.

I had a similar problem after upgrading to the latest firmware but by using the "Topping Home" web app to "reset" the dac, everything started working fine. It's probably worth a try.