Topping DX1 mini desktop DAC & AMP

[Nay16]

There is something really weird happening with my DX1 recently, or rather with the IEMs connected to it, but I feel it's the DX1.
First, a few months ago (maybe half a year) I noticed that changing volume with the pot sometimes produces a rustling sound/noise. This only happened very rarely. Right now there's a bit of a similar sound only at the very top of the pot's range, but it's a lot quieter and not continuous - crackling, not rustling. Might be the same cause, might not be. What I do know is the rustling sound I heard rarely at my usual listening volume is associated with DC voltage on the pot. Didn't think much of it then, but now I have some IEMs where one channel (usually right) goes quiet after a while of being plugged in/playing. After 5-10 minutes the channel imbalance becomes noticeable, after that in another 10-20 minutes one channel goes really quiet. If I unplug the IEM and test with my phone, that unit (either left or right) is still very quiet. But after some time, dozens of minutes to an hour, it recovers. This is SO WEIRD. I took one of those IEMs that go bad and left playing from another device for over an hour, and no imbalance, it's singing as it should. With the DX1, this IEM goes quiet every time in minutes. I got two sets where it's always the right channel, and a 3rd where it's the left.
I also have a different IEM that is unaffected, it's pretty cheap so listening only to that for now (annoying as hell, got some new IEMs that go bad so I'm afraid to use them with the DX1 now).

I measured DC offset twice on different occasions, in an open loop it's 2-5 mV in normal conditions, max. 10-20 at high gain at max volume (and that might not even be a true DC offset). Can't measure with a load unfortunately, don't have a harness for that.

What in the devil's name is going on? At first I thought my IEM died, but the more I tried different things and observed, the more I think by process of elimination that it is in fact the DX1 causing it. But measurements don't show a problem either.

If you're using windows, update your driver to the newest version and see if it fixes your issue V5.74 driver

 

[NgtFlyer]

If you're using windows, update your driver to the newest version and see if it fixes your issue V5.74 driver

Good to know, my DX1 goes static from time to time. Changed cables, changed bitrates, Windows 11 current patch level, more than one computer does this. Will try the new driver. Love the simplicity and performance of the DX1 when it's working!

 

[Alexium]

What kind of static? Instead of the audio signal, or alongside? Loud or quiet?
Try touching the DX1, does the noise change?

 

[Alexium]

If you're using windows, update your driver to the newest version and see if it fixes your issue V5.74 driver

Thank you! Yes, I am on Windows, updated the driver, and of course the issue still happens. There is something very wrong with my DX1, and it does something bad to the IEMs. To clarify: it's not just that one channel goes quieter, the DX1 does something that makes the IEM gradually play quieter and quieter, and it retains that damage for a while after being unplugged, but then recovers.

 

[NgtFlyer]

What kind of static? Instead of the audio signal, or alongside? Loud or quiet?
Try touching the DX1, does the noise change?

Music replaced with static slowly. Sounds like bit sync issues. Touching the unit made no difference. Getting annoyed and giving it a good whack on the to cured it. Hasn't done it again yet. Going to try the new driver and use it extensively, see if it does that again.

 

[Alexium]

Not the ground loop issue I had. Maybe a problem with the USB cable or socket? Either that, or a cracked solder joint, I guess.

 

[NgtFlyer]

Not the ground loop issue I had. Maybe a problem with the USB cable or socket? Either that, or a cracked solder joint, I guess.

I am thinking maybe cold solder joint since a thwack changed it. I did try a couple of USB cables with the same result.

 

[Alexium]

I posted a few days ago (previous page) that I suspect there's something wrong with my DX1. I'm happy to say that finally I found the issue and it's NOT the DX1, the unit is completely fine. Been daily-driving it for 14+ hours 365 days a year for almost 2 years now!

 

[staticV3]

I posted a few days ago (previous page) that I suspect there's something wrong with my DX1. I'm happy to say that finally I found the issue and it's NOT the DX1, the unit is completely fine. Been daily-driving it for 14+ hours 365 days a year for almost 2 years now!

What was the issue?

 

[NgtFlyer]

What was the issue?

Said it was a ground loop

 

[Alexium]

No, a ground loop was something I experienced earlier and fixed with a USB isolator, that wasn't a big issue to begin with, just a bit of background noise.

The issue wasn't related to electronics at all. Turned out that TWO of my brand new IEMs, that I barely listened to for 8 hours in total, have some substance or debris on the inside of the nozzle mesh. First they sound fine, but as I wear them that substance absorbs moisture and clogs the mesh. And when I take them out it ventilates and goes back to normal sound after a while.
I have more than a few IEMs, some of which I've been wearing for 8+ hours 365 days a year for over a year, and never encountered anything like this. The two affected IEMs are from different brands and sellers.

 

[NgtFlyer]

No, a ground loop was something I experienced earlier and fixed with a USB isolator, that wasn't a big issue to begin with, just a bit of background noise.

The issue wasn't related to electronics at all. Turned out that TWO of my brand new IEMs, that I barely listened to for 8 hours in total, have some substance or debris on the inside of the nozzle mesh. First they sound fine, but as I wear them that substance absorbs moisture and clogs the mesh. And when I take them out it ventilates and goes back to normal sound after a while.
I have more than a few IEMs, some of which I've been wearing for 8+ hours 365 days a year for over a year, and never encountered anything like this. The two affected IEMs are from different brands and sellers.

My bad, thanks for filling us in!