Topping DX1 mini desktop DAC & AMP

[Sharpi31]

The voltage rails will be the same in both gain settings. The capacitors are over specified for reliability & longevity. I’d guess gain is set within the feedback loop, but I haven’t checked the circuit so could be wrong.

 

[Peib]

Hello

Has this dac/amp enough power to drive Hifiman Sundara well? Or should I go for DX3pro+ instead?

Thanks

 

[Tallulah]

Hello

Has this dac/amp enough power to drive Hifiman Sundara well? Or should I go for DX3pro+ instead?

Thanks

I believe it should be sufficient. I use the DX1 with my HD 650, applying an equalization that boosts the sub-bass by reducing the rest of the frequencies by -9 dB to avoid clipping. Additionally, I utilize ReplayGain to normalize the volume of all my music. Despite these adjustments that lower the overall volume by a lot, I have never needed to use the "high gain" mode on the DX1.

 

[Blorg]

DX3pro+ has substantially more power.

• 1800mW x2 @32Ω THD+N <0.1%
• 900mW x2 @64Ω THD+N <0.1%
• 250mW x2 @300Ω THD+N <0.1%

DX1:

• 280mW x2 @32Ω THD+N <0.1%
• 190mW x2 @64Ω THD+N <0.1%
• 51mW x2 @300Ω THD+N <0.1%

I think it's enough, but there is a lot more on the DX3pro+. DX1 is basically comparable to the Qudelix 5K which I have and that drives the Sundara OK. Do you need a desktop amp? Some people do or think they do, it depends how loud you listen.

Sensitivity of the Sundara is a lot lower than the HD650, and it needs about six times the power, although it's also lower impedance so either amp will be able to do more power, from the numbers above for these amps it about cancels out and they should get to a similar volume level.

 

[Bleib]

DX3Pro+ also has no channel imbalance. Other option is the new SMLS DL100, DL200 or C200 (if you can still find it, my favorite)

 

[Nybras]

Be careful, this post has an excellent level of English

Hey, I bought my first IEMs (Aria 2), and they sound pretty good, but honestly, I expected more after all the reviews of different IEMs under $100. With all the discounts, they cost me $52, so I'm not too disappointed.

I'm using them with my PC, which has an ALC892 (MSI B450 Tomahawk Max), and here's my question: should I get the Topping DX1? Will it improve the sound quality? It will cost me around $70.

I also see the new SMSL DS100, which is $10 cheaper than the DX1. But its controls are a bit strange, it switches to another mode when the volume knob reaches its maximum or minimum, if I understood correctly. This puts me off.

 

[staticV3]

I get the Topping DX1? Will it improve the sound quality?

Unlikely.

If you want to make sure that you're getting the maximum sound quality from your Aria, the $10 Apple headphone adapter would suffice.

 

[Nybras]

Unlikely.

If you want to make sure that you're getting the maximum sound quality from your Aria, the $10 Apple headphone adapter would suffice.

Can you recommend something on AliExpress? I have a $20 coupon for purchases over $60 + some credits worth $10, which gives me a total of $30. It doesn't necessarily have to be something over $60.(max $100) I can add something else to the order.

I'd like to use it all day at my PC without it overheating, etc.

 

[staticV3]

Can you recommend something on AliExpress?

I have not yet found a dongle that beats the Apple headphone adapter for IEMs:


Since the Apple dongle costs like $10 and can be bought locally, I don't see a point in shipping something over from China.

 

[Nybras]

It just occurred to me... my PC is on the floor, and the cable won't be long enough if I use the TYPE C dongle. Right now, I have the headphones connected through the front 3.5mm jack on the case.

I guess I'll order the Topping DX1 after all, since today is the last day of the coupon. Plus, in the future, it should have enough power for the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 250 ohm or similar, which I've always wanted to get, but have put off due to the lack of an amp.

Thank you for your help.

 

[scyiii]

hello

It is intended to be used as headphones (80ohm 96db) connected to a PC. (unbalanced 3.5mm)
The most common use is listening to YouTube music.
Based on various information, I almost decided on Topping dx1.

Recently, Fosi sk02 caught my eye. The exterior is just my style...

1. If you have experience with both, please give your opinion on which is better.

Additional questions!!
2. I wonder if there is a meaningful difference if I use a product like Fiio K7 or smsl c200 in my situation.

Thanks in advance for your reply.

 

[staticV3]

Additional questions!!
2. I wonder if there is a meaningful difference if I use a product like Fiio K7 or smsl c200 in my situation.

With a DT770/DT990 80Ω, there would be no meaningful difference if you use a K7 or C200 instead.

You can find measurements of both the SK02 and DX1 below:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/fosi-audio-sk02-dac-hp-amp-review.52952/
https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/topping-dx1/

I would call the DX1 an objectively better DAC+Amp.

 

[tollph3]

Be careful, this post has an excellent level of English

Hey, I bought my first IEMs (Aria 2), and they sound pretty good, but honestly, I expected more after all the reviews of different IEMs under $100. With all the discounts, they cost me $52, so I'm not too disappointed.

I'm using them with my PC, which has an ALC892 (MSI B450 Tomahawk Max), and here's my question: should I get the Topping DX1? Will it improve the sound quality? It will cost me around $70.

I also see the new SMSL DS100, which is $10 cheaper than the DX1. But its controls are a bit strange, it switches to another mode when the volume knob reaches its maximum or minimum, if I understood correctly. This puts me off.

I have same ACL892 on my ASUS B-550 Prime Plus motherboard and let me till u even some dongles at 15€ like i have Axagon which i just found out has Realtek ALC5686 DAC/AMP in it sounds way better than that ACL892 Garbage so yeah it will improve your audio experience quite a lot something like DX1 even cheaper smaller less powerfull dac amps will be better so go for it .

 

[tollph3]

Unlikely.

If you want to make sure that you're getting the maximum sound quality from your Aria, the $10 Apple headphone adapter would suffice.

Personally i can tell you even dongles sounds better than that crappy ACL892 chip i have it also on different board ASUS PRIME B-550 Plus and its absolutely horrible even worse than realtek chips on my older boards from 2012 i am not kidding i was shocked how bad that ACL892 sounds + if u have less sensitive headphones and using EQ and preamp you wont even have enough volume on that ACL892 chip is absolute garbage

 

[tollph3]

Can you recommend something on AliExpress? I have a $20 coupon for purchases over $60 + some credits worth $10, which gives me a total of $30. It doesn't necessarily have to be something over $60.(max $100) I can add something else to the order.

I'd like to use it all day at my PC without it overheating, etc.

You can purchase dongles with Realtek ALC5686 chips in it you can find plenty variatons and dongles even bellow 20€ ,i have Axagon USB-C ADA-HC Dongle with that same chip (ALC5686) and its great for 14€ , made by company in Czech Republic so if u are not in Europe you probably won't be able to purchase it without expensive shipping,...But on Ali there are plenty variations of such dongles with that DAC.
I have not tested it against Apple Dongle never used one but plenty people recomend it as cheap decent dongle and it even measures well you can find review in here somewhere (on Apple one) so there is that also can be bought pretty much everywhere as staticv3 recomended already as cheap alternative.

​

 

[mc.god]

I have same ACL892 on my ASUS B-550 Prime Plus motherboard and let me till u even some dongles at 15€ like i have Axagon which i just found out has Realtek ALC5686 DAC/AMP in it sounds way better than that ACL892 Garbage so yeah it will improve your audio experience quite a lot something like DX1 even cheaper smaller less powerfull dac amps will be better so go for it .

I long ago took basic electrical measurements of ALC892 on my 2014 Gigabyte motherboard:

max unloaded output voltage: 1,22 Vrms
10 ohm load output voltage: 0,19 Vrms
so calculated output impedance is around 55 Ohm

so clearly not good, at least on this implementation, that can surely affect FR of non flat impedance headphones and will not drive well low impedance less sensitive ones, but for sensitive single driver iems like Aria 2 it should do the job and main concern remains about noise.
If there is no hiss or emi and volume is sufficient I don't see real reason to get DX1, unless one want physical volume control or search ease of mind knowing his source is fully transparent (that is the main reason all of us get good measuring devices).

 

[tollph3]

I long ago took basic electrical measurements of ALC892 on my 2014 Gigabyte motherboard:

max unloaded output voltage: 1,22 Vrms
10 ohm load output voltage: 0,19 Vrms
so calculated output impedance is around 55 Ohm

so clearly not good, at least on this implementation, that can surely affect FR of non flat impedance headphones and will not drive well low impedance less sensitive ones, but for sensitive single driver iems like Aria 2it should do the job and main concern remains about noise.
if you hear no hiss and volume is sufficient I don't see real reason to get DX1, unless you want a physical volume control or search ease of mind knowing that your source is fully transparent (that is the main reason all of us get good measuring devices).

i disagree even if it's loud enough it absolutely sucks sure i can not measure it but it's really not good it's just not detailed and everything sounds crappy compared to any decent dongle or amp my subjective experience but i think aria 2 deserves better output don't need dx1 but dongles <30€ will do way better job and even have more power+ u can use them everywhere

 

[mc.god]

i disagree even if it's loud enough it absolutely sucks sure i can not measure it but it's really not good it's just not detailed and everything sounds crappy compared to any decent dongle or amp my subjective experience but i think aria 2 deserves better output don't need dx1 but dongles <30€ will do way better job and even have more power+ u can use them everywhere

Yes, a budget good dongle is surely the perfect solution, probably your motherboard out has bad thd that falls into audible range, I honestly never used the integrated ALC892 since always had external usb soundcard and dacs for my pc, so just took that measurements out of curiosity.

 

[Nybras]

I placed an order a week ago, so when I receive it, I will write my opinion. Usually, delivery to my region takes 2-3 weeks

It also cost me much less than I thought, with all the promotions and coupons it came out to $54. So, I think it's a great purchase for that price

 

[Nybras]

I received my DX1, and here are my conclusions:

As staticV3 mentioned, the difference is almost negligible, even compared to my ALC892. I also tested with my old Superlux HD 681 headphones and cheap Panasonic earbuds, and the results were consistent. If there is any difference, it's minimal and hard to notice. I listened FLAC and Spotify.

Regarding the Aria 2 headphones, they are great. After listening to them for several days and then switching back to my old headphones, I noticed the difference more. However, wearing the Aria 2 doesn't give you an incredible new experience, it just offers good sound quality.

In FPS games, they perform very well. I played Escape from Tarkov, and the positional audio improved significantly compared to all my old headphones.

For $50-60, they are a great choice, but I would never pay $90 for them. I also have the desire to try the HEXA Maybe in the future I will. Now I also have the option to consider getting some DT990 headphones after buying the DX1.

So, if your budget is $100-$300 and you're deciding between headphones and a DAC, my advice is to spend the entire amount on good headphones (unless you have the 250 ohm model that requires an amplifier).