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Topping DX1 mini desktop DAC & AMP
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staticV3
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Yes.
does it measure the same as dx1?
staticV3
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Here are measurements:
https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/topping-dx1/
https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/topping-e30-ii/
The E30 is ever so slightly cleaner.
AnalogSteph
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The DX1 is probably more in line with the E30 II Lite (single AK4493S rather than dual, expected difference 3 dB max but real more like 2 dB due to noise in output stage).
JeremyFife
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Think about what 'instrument separation ' means. What process in a DAC affects that?
The recording, your speakers and the speaker/room interactions seem more likely to influence this.
staticV3
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Only difference is that the already ridiculously low noise floor of the single chip DAC is pushed another 2-2.5dB down on the dual chip.
It's inconsequential.
Nonsense.
AnalogSteph
Major Contributor
DAC performance wise, they're similar enough.
The combo does NOT feature BT input.
You would get lower output noise and substantially more maximum output (over 13 Vrms into 300 ohms, and still almost twice as much power into 32 ohms), for an even wider range of headphones. The L30 II is basically unrivalled in its price range in that regard.
Power consumption would be a bit meh, basically the L30's power transformer draws over 2 watts doing absolutely nothing. That's basically the exact same for any other amp with a linear power supply though, like an Atom Amp+/2... it's the price to pay for low mains leakage.
You have to be careful which barrel plug for power goes where, some people have accidentally swapped them and the DAC in particular is none too fond of 15 VAC.
OlolOshnik
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Good night!
I have a Topping DX1 DAC and Sennheiser HD660s headphones.
I plan to buy some new device on the 11.11 sale or Black Friday.
I wanted to get the SMSL DL200 since the end of last year, but there are some issues with reliability (you switch to the BT input and something breaks).
I don't know if they fixed this in the new SMSL DL100, which has 4 cirruses, but I don't trust the cirruses and their digital filters...
The main option remains the Shanling UA4, which, according to measurements, is worse, but has a balanced output (and the Senhs have a balanced cable), and it is very interesting to compare the unbalanced and balanced outputs.
The question is: is it worth changing the Topping DX1 to the Shanling UA4 or is this a downgrade? It will be used exclusively with a computer.
Or offer your own option for up to $250 (according to sale standards), so that it would be both an upgrade in sound (necessarily with measurements) and reliable (not like the SMSL DL200).
I have a Topping DX1 DAC and Sennheiser HD660s headphones.
I plan to buy some new device on the 11.11 sale or Black Friday.
I wanted to get the SMSL DL200 since the end of last year, but there are some issues with reliability (you switch to the BT input and something breaks).
I don't know if they fixed this in the new SMSL DL100, which has 4 cirruses, but I don't trust the cirruses and their digital filters...
The main option remains the Shanling UA4, which, according to measurements, is worse, but has a balanced output (and the Senhs have a balanced cable), and it is very interesting to compare the unbalanced and balanced outputs.
The question is: is it worth changing the Topping DX1 to the Shanling UA4 or is this a downgrade? It will be used exclusively with a computer.
Or offer your own option for up to $250 (according to sale standards), so that it would be both an upgrade in sound (necessarily with measurements) and reliable (not like the SMSL DL200).
staticV3
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The Topping DX1 is already a fully transparent DAC+Amp.
What exactly do you want to "fix" by upgrading from it?
If you're looking for better sound quality, then you need to look into DSP, not different hardware.
OlolOshnik
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If Topping DX1 is a completely transparent DAC+amplifier, then why, when connected to the linear output of the Fiio K5 amplifier (not Pro), the amplifier characteristics are either the same or even better, I get a different sound. The differences are not in the nuances, they are very big!
In addition, I have a DAC+amplifier Audinst DX1, which is also transparent (2 and 3 harmonics -110 dB), and its sound is also very different from the above options.
This was confirmed by my friend, in a blind test.
Moreover, she did not doubt for a second when Audinst (ES9018K2M) started to sound.
All this gives reason to think about audiophilia, and not stupidly look at the graphs.
staticV3
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Does this DAC measure well? I noticed on the first post, the usual measurements aren’t in English so I couldn’t interpret them.
Would I notice any difference in sound quality by upgrading to a DX3 or DX5, or perhaps even something much more expensive like an RME ADI 2 DAC FS?
Would I notice any difference in sound quality by upgrading to a DX3 or DX5, or perhaps even something much more expensive like an RME ADI 2 DAC FS?
Welcome to ASR.
The DX1 measures very well and is great value for money, DX3, DX5, ADI2 will give you more power (if you need it) and functionalities (if you need it), nothing more on sound quality (well, RME has integrated parametric eq that can drastically improve sound quality but it's something you can also do via software).
Ok that’s great, thanks. I read that the DX1 has an analogue volume control, is this an issue at all? I noticed at extremely low volumes it’s imbalanced but as I don’t listen to music that low, it seems fine. However I wondered if it was having an impact higher up the range?
Channel inbalace at low level is common in non high grade analog potentiometer, if it's only at very low level and don't compromise your use case it's fine, no other degradation at higher levels. Only potential issue is it can start to scratch over time, but it's probability is unpredictable and generally on par with any other issues you can have with electric components.
I was able to contact the DX1 seller (on Amazon) about this. I noted that the channel imbalance at high gain was especially disturbing at very low volume (I think that 90% of people won't listen at such a volume). On low gain, you won't listen as such low volumes, so it's fine.
Here's the answer:
Hello,
Thank you for contacting us.
Channel imbalance generally decreases as you increase the volume. The imbalance should be considerably reduced or disappear around the 9 o'clock position on the potentiometer. However, this may vary slightly depending on individual units and listening environments.
If you continue to experience problems or have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are committed to providing you with satisfactory service and ensuring you have an excellent experience with our products.
Thank you again for your support.
Best regards,
Melody
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
To me, it goes by 5 degrees after rotation, but it's definitely below 5 degrees, which made me wonder if it's there throughout the volume range but I think it's ok. Weirdly, at the very lowest volume, it's not there, so it's only there at about 5 degrees of rotation and then goes away again. I was concerned on low impedance headphones you may hear it if you listened at very low volumes.
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