Topping DX1 II DAC & HP Amp Review

[Bleib]

Firmware is also here now

DX1 II version V2.69 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

 

[Dreamic]

Firmware is also here now

DX1 II version V2.69 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

Just a warning I've been seeing people here and elsewhere reporting the volume randomly going like 100% and distorted, seems like it might be a newer thing, so if you hear pops/crackles prepare to lower your volume before you possibly have a heart attack from volume, and maybe rollback firmware which you can still select 2.54 in Topping Home.

 

[Mike123]

elsewhere reporting the volume randomly going like 100% and distorted,

How awful . No, I don't trust Chinese DACs with such an important operation as volume control. Mine works at night, so I have a separate, homemade volume control.

 

[solderdude]

Hi, indeed, I did not see (heard) this issue before, but I measured up to 12mV from RCA outputs when switching from one SR to another.
The issue exists on all outputs but is the highest from rear RCA.

So if it jumps from 12mV to 0V for instance there could be a -45dBFS 'tick' audible.
If + and - from balanced both have +12mV DC on it then this would cancel.

 

[goofytwoshoes]

To add to this, I have had no issues connecting SPDIF direct to my Genelec SAM 8341A and 8340A monitors using these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153984454508?var=454080427691

Granted, I haven't tried cables longer than 2 meters.

More info here: https://support.genelec.com/hc/en-u...gital-SAM-monitors-to-S-PDIF-coaxial-directly

Best practice is an impedance matching transformer, as suggested by Genelec. They're inexpensive new, and available for very little money on eBay. I use a Neutrik, and Canare also makes a good one.

 

[sikamikaniko]

Now that everything measures perfectly, are Amir's tests even necessary? Especially when they aren't capable of detecting all the problems that users run into later—take this one, for instance, with the Toslink input, the RCAs, etc., or the DX5II firmwares, Fosi ZH3 toslink truncation etc?

 

[LesterHiggins]

Just a warning I've been seeing people here and elsewhere reporting the volume randomly going like 100% and distorted, seems like it might be a newer thing, so if you hear pops/crackles prepare to lower your volume before you possibly have a heart attack from volume, and maybe rollback firmware which you can still select 2.54 in Topping Home.

RME assures you that this is an important and highly desired feature, you just don't understand how amazing it is because you aren't professional enough.

 

[Pierun]

Now that everything measures perfectly, are Amir's tests even necessary? Especially when they aren't capable of detecting all the problems that users run into later—take this one, for instance, with the Toslink input, the RCAs, etc., or the DX5II firmwares, Fosi ZH3 toslink truncation etc?

now this is lowkey a very good question

 

[Pierun]

Just a warning I've been seeing people here and elsewhere reporting the volume randomly going like 100% and distorted, seems like it might be a newer thing, so if you hear pops/crackles prepare to lower your volume before you possibly have a heart attack from volume, and maybe rollback firmware which you can still select 2.54 in Topping Home.

Oh my god bruh

What is it with topping and its ridiculous infant product issues

 

[JamesYeomans]

Best practice is an impedance matching transformer, as suggested by Genelec. They're inexpensive new, and available for very little money on eBay. I use a Neutrik, and Canare also makes a good one.

Absolutely. Though as an FYI I took my Neutrik adapters out of the chain, as with my 2m cables the adapters made no difference and looked ugly. Have been using regularly for 3+ years now, without the adapters, and with no issues whatsoever.

 

[NTTY]

Now that everything measures perfectly, are Amir's tests even necessary? Especially when they aren't capable of detecting all the problems that users run into later—take this one, for instance, with the Toslink input, the RCAs, etc., or the DX5II firmwares, Fosi ZH3 toslink truncation etc?

I'm not sure I understood you, but issues were detected, be it by the review(s) and feedback from owners.

Now, should a test of a DAC include grabbing a CD player, with a clock deviation of more than say 10ppm, and feeding the DAC via SPDIF be part of a standard review? This would be a very unreasonable ask.

 

[NTTY]

So if it jumps from 12mV to 0V for instance there could be a -45dBFS 'tick' audible.
If + and - from balanced both have +12mV DC on it then this would cancel.

Just saw the same from digital output (to digital input of my Motu). So likely this can be resolved, maybe by muting when the SR changes.

 

[Henryk]

Activating it or not, no. But uploading a desired curve is a different story.

I did the below test, and updated my review with that. I add it here too so it's easier for members to follow.

I played with the Topping Tune software and uploaded the below EQ in the DX1 II:

View attachment 540698

I ran an FR test (USB to XLR output, with Volume at -1.5dB to get to 4Vrms max), and here you go:

View attachment 540677

I made it the same size as the Topping interface on purpose, centering the 0dB at 1kHz. You can see that I got exactly what I tuned, nice.

Now let's test the impact on the SINAD (XLR out, vol -1.5dB), first without EQ:

View attachment 540678

Without EQ, I get an SINAD of 122.6dB.

Now, when activating the EQ, and I had to redo my tests because it seems the Topping Tune has some kind of smart headroom protection / utilization to optimize the resolution, independently of the mods you make. I deactivated the preamp in the interface, and I see it updated the field to -5.7dB, but I am unsure if that is on purpose. Anyways, I uploaded my tune in the Topping and I got better results than I initially reported with me setting the preamp level in Topping Tune.

Here below is with the EQ activated, and the impact on the SINAD:

View attachment 540694

The loss on the SINAD is minimal, and remains a staggering 120.7dB. The descending noise floor from 20Hz to 300Hz is the effect of the EQ in that area.

I am impressed.

Thank you for taking the time to test this!

If you used a computer as the audio source and applied PEQ there instead (with something like Equalizer APO), would the hit to SINAD be the same at ~2 dB?

 

[sikamikaniko]

I'm not sure I understood you, but issues were detected, be it by the review(s) and feedback from owners.

Now, should a test of a DAC include grabbing a CD player, with a clock deviation of more than say 10ppm, and feeding the DAC via SPDIF be part of a standard review? This would be a very unreasonable ask.

Just thinking out loud here. This isn't a complaint of the tests themselves, and it's certainly not a demand aimed at you or any other reviewer.

I appologize if my comment came across as offensive or confrontational.

It's just that lately I've seen quite a few products receivig golfing panther grade reviews while also generating an endless number of complaints from owners.

 

[Robbo99999]

Now that everything measures perfectly, are Amir's tests even necessary? Especially when they aren't capable of detecting all the problems that users run into later—take this one, for instance, with the Toslink input, the RCAs, etc., or the DX5II firmwares, Fosi ZH3 toslink truncation etc?

You can't know how it measures until it's measured, so Amir's reviews of these items still provide a stamp of proof that everything's OK. Perhaps one day if there's been years of no device at all being defective or sub par then maybe the value of the reviews could be questioned, but I'm sure Amir will decide when he's had enough of testing DACs / amps - probably not anytime that soon.

 

[goofytwoshoes]

Absolutely. Though as an FYI I took my Neutrik adapters out of the chain, as with my 2m cables the adapters made no difference and looked ugly. Have been using regularly for 3+ years now, without the adapters, and with no issues whatsoever.

My experience was the opposite to yours. With a 6-foot cable running from RCA SPDIF of a Fiio SR11 streamer to 7350A sub, the sub had trouble locking on to the signal right away - blinked red for a minute or two, then settled down. The Neutrik transformer fixed that issue, and have not had any problem since.

 

[NTTY]

Firmware is also here now

DX1 II version V2.69 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

I update my initial review with this new firmware adding the below:

• Digital input to output tests with d-1 and d-2 options (I recommend using d-2 and go d-1 only if you have an issue)
• EQ tests at 24 and 16 bits (inactive at digital output)
• Intersample-overs tests in digital and analog domain (full resistance!)
• Tests from a CD Player (The best so far)

The results are staggering, for all the tests I could perform.

 

[AndreaT]

Now that everything measures perfectly, are Amir's tests even necessary? Especially when they aren't capable of detecting all the problems that users run into later—take this one, for instance, with the Toslink input, the RCAs, etc., or the DX5II firmwares, Fosi ZH3 toslink truncation etc?

They make me feel so good: they stretch the value of my Dollar so much! It is also possible that Topping, SMSL and others are working harder knowing Amir will test the product of their craft and art. So it is a kind of positive reinforcer both for audio companies and consumers.

 

[NTTY]

Thank you for taking the time to test this!

If you used a computer as the audio source and applied PEQ there instead (with something like Equalizer APO), would the hit to SINAD be the same at ~2 dB?

My guess would be yes but that would depend on the Software, of course. I unfortunately don't know the one you mention.

 

[NTTY]

Just thinking out loud here. This isn't a complaint of the tests themselves, and it's certainly not a demand aimed at you or any other reviewer.

I appologize if my comment came across as offensive or confrontational.

It's just that lately I've seen quite a few products receivig golfing panther grade reviews while also generating an endless number of complaints from owners.

Thanks for the clarification, and no issue.

True, a device can mesure very well on standardized tests, but reveal some faults elsewhere. This is where the community can help digging. I think it is good to see @TOPPING reacting, taking into account the feedback and fixing issues via firmware updates whenever possible. It gives confidence to early adopters too.

I personally think that Topping did not go the route of SINAD chasers, and this device is very well sorted in so many aspects of importance. There is obviously high precision digital processing here and that alone is a killer at this price point.

I have great satisfaction listening to it. Not that the performances I measured make a difference to my old ears, but knowing how it performs makes me enjoying it a lot.