TOPPING DX9！

[cheapmessiah]

I express my compassion...

Enlighten us, what are the differences in sound in DACs that measurements dont/cant show?

 

[AzReciOn]

Enlighten us, what are the differences in sound in DACs that measurements dont/cant show?

I ask you to show me exactly where I claimed this with a 100% guarantee (that 2 different devices with the same measurements will sound different).

I wrote that there is no 100% guarantee that 2 devices "with equally perfect measurements" will sound exactly the same. Is it really the same thing?
Once again: I just don't consider it a guarantee (since we may not know everything).

Well, let's put it down to language misunderstandings.
I suggest we return to the discussion of DX9 (if, of course, there is something to discuss on the merits).

 

[cheapmessiah]

I wrote that there is no 100% guarantee that 2 devices "with equally perfect measurements" will sound exactly the same. Is it really the same thing?
Once again: I just don't consider it a guarantee (since we may not know everything).

You are deflecting the question, but worry not, I can put it in terms that satisfy your premise and still ask the same. What would be the sound qualities that a DACs measurements cant guarantee to be the same as from another DAC with equal measurements?

 

[Music1969]

Guys there are no two DACs on ASR that measure "the same".

For audible differences , need to do a proper level matched double blind test.

Until then Let's not go in circles with the same old boring discussion

Please

 

[cheapmessiah]

I agree, but I find it quite cowardly to point fingers at others opinions that are based on data and then, when confronted, retreating under the guise of "language differences" while at the same time shielding behind syntax. So you are both bad at the language but great at it?...

Not to mention that this seemed to try to lead the thread to an onanistic attemp to look clever, as the discussion seemed to be pointed at a philosophical question rather than a technical one (and this is ASR, the S is for science), of course we cant claim 2 DACs are the same, or sound the same, because not 2 technological aparatuses can be made exactly the same, but from the perspective of human limitations, the moment the differences are outside of the scope or resolution of our senses, 2 DACs that cannot be distinguished from each other through hearing do sound the same to humans. And the limitations of our hearing have already been studied and determined.

And my point still remains, you do not buy a 1000$ DAC because it sounds different/better than a 150$ one, at least not on 2023, you buy it because the feature set, besides fidelity, is unavailable in any other device at a lower price and you are in need of such features. Le-Duk seemed to have a problem with that statement which is relevant to the DX9 value discussion.

 

[AzReciOn]

I agree, but I find it quite cowardly to point fingers at others opinions that are based on data and then, when confronted, retreating under the guise of "language differences" while at the same time shielding behind syntax. So you are both bad at the language but great at it?...

Not to mention that this seemed to try to lead the thread to an onanistic attemp to look clever, as the discussion seemed to be pointed at a philosophical question rather than a technical one (and this is ASR, the S is for science), of course we cant claim 2 DACs are the same, or sound the same, because not 2 technological aparatuses can be made exactly the same, but from the perspective of human limitations, the moment the differences are outside of the scope or resolution of our senses, 2 DACs that cannot be distinguished from each other through hearing do sound the same to humans. And the limitations of our hearing have already been studied and determined.

And my point still remains, you do not buy a 1000$ DAC because it sounds different/better than a 150$ one, at least not on 2023, you buy it because the feature set, besides fidelity, is unavailable in any other device at a lower price and you are in need of such features. Le-Duk seemed to have a problem with that statement which is relevant to the DX9 value discussion.

I just don't see the point in communicating with you - I've already received a warning from the forum for just calling a dude a fan of the brand under discussion. If I respond adequately to your statements, I risk getting banned, because I have already answered with a normal censored text above (to which I received in response some kind of set of accusations and insults)...

Besides, you have not shown me exactly where I claimed what you are so actively trying to expose me for. I understand when it's sad and boring, some people really want to show their importance at least at the expense of someone, but once again, in a calm manner, I suggest stopping this flood. And I'm sorry that I've touched a nerve with someone's religious feelings...

P.S. I believe in today's measurements by 99% (and I always focus on them, since these are the most objective data available), however, in 20-50-100 years everything can change a lot, and all today's measurement methods may turn out to be outdated or, at least, incomplete, since new scientific data and new technical features will appear (and you demand to name already today, what exactly it will be is an impossible requirement). I hope this is a fairly comprehensive explanation.

 

[b407driver]

I just don't see the point in communicating with you....

Then take your own previous advice earlier in this thread and just stop typing. I tried to get this thread back on track (to learn some stuff) after the last time this happened a few weeks ago, and you ended up in the middle of 'it' again.

Shenzenaudio just reported they'll be shipping both colors in 7-14 days, for whatever that's worth.

 

[HNK23]

I thought there would also be a discussion here about the devices themselves, about the sound and not just about measurement results. If that's the case, then from a measurement perspective I'm making a very good DAC and it will be pushed here, no matter what it sounds like.

So I'm expecting a fantastic sound from the DX9, I ordered it and am still waiting for delivery. I'm looking forward to trying it and am curious to see how it compares to the Gustard R26 in terms of sound. And I need a good second DAC, for an office.

 

[VintageFlanker]

I thought there would also be a discussion here about the devices themselves, about the sound and not just about measurement results.

Don't know. Perhaps better check the website where you're posting at?...

Measurements and sound are absolutely correlated. In case you missed it, we do not measure humidity in the air, nor sugar levels in chocolate bars. But the actual analog signal coming out of a DAC, which is indeed the reproduction of sound.

So I'm expecting a fantastic sound from the DX9, I ordered it and am still waiting for delivery. I'm looking forward to trying it and am curious to see how it compares to the Gustard R26 in terms of sound.

Fantastic example of expectation bias. Enjoy !

 

[onethreetwowaitthatswrong]

I have a question, and I feel like it's going to be the stupidest one even in a world where people believe there are no stupid questions but haven't found a clear answer/understood the specs well enough so here goes :
Would it be possible to use the DX9 as a Dac+Preamp with the RCA pre-out as a line input to an active subwoofer and the preout XLR to a power amp ?

 

[AzReciOn]

Would it be possible to use the DX9 as a Dac+Preamp with the RCA pre-out as a line input to an active subwoofer and the preout XLR to a power amp ?

Is it possible to simultaneously output to all outputs? Yes.
Is there a DSP? No, only direct output (to regulated and unregulated outputs). The active outputs are selected in the menu - you can select one, several or all together. This point is described in the manual.
I hope I understood the question correctly.

 

[onethreetwowaitthatswrong]

Is it possible to simultaneously output to all outputs? Yes.
Is there a DSP? No, only direct output (to regulated and unregulated outputs). The active outputs are selected in the menu - you can select one, several or all together. This point is described in the manual.
I hope I understood the question correctly.

Yes thanks. So that means that it could be used at the center of a 2.1 setup. Bass crossover would have to be adjusted directly on the subwoofer and speakers would still receive the full signal through the power amp since there's no DSP, but that would work.

I got confused because I was also looking at the DX7 Pro specs and was not sure to understand the following sheet :

Spoiler

As Dac and preamplifier are not on the same line, I wasn't sure if you had to choose between the functions (which wouldn't make sense I think, but without certainty), or it was just the way it was displayed. Also, on the DX7Pro, you can also select XLR and Rca out simultaneously, but Rca out is not the same as Rca pre-out - and I finally read about the practical difference when connecting a subwoofer, (having to adjust the volume on it every time if connected to a line out comparedto the preout - yeah that's a bit audio101 there sorry). That's an advantage I see in favoir of the Dx9

So the way I see it at this point, in regard to all the comparisons that have been made in this thread with other offering, notably from topping, is this advantageous possibility of a 2.1 system from the preout that is not present on the other Dac-Headphones Amp-Preamp devices.

 

[AzReciOn]

In fact, if you don't need simultaneous output to adjustable and non-adjustable pins, the DX7 Pro+ does the same thing purely functionally - I mean, it also knows how to adjust the volume on the outputs (RCA+XLR). The difference is that an analog-digital preamp hybrid is integrated into the DX9, while any other DAC does this via a DAC chip. Thus, the DX9 has separate outputs: Line Out and Pre Out (which can work simultaneously), and in the DX7 Pro+ (like most other DACs), the output mode must be selected in the settings (or set the volume to maximum, depending on the manufacturer, but it is for TOPPING that this is selected in the settings).

 

[onethreetwowaitthatswrong]

Oh my yes, you're right ! If it's only to power a simple power amplifier, like a MPA-S125NC or 250 for example + an active sub, a good bunch of older models can do that. They just have to allow simultaneous RCA and XLR outputs, and then there's just the sub volume to adjust respectively to the preamp. If it doesn't put too much strain on the preamp that's a much better deal. I mean, considering this double output is meant to power two different amps, it should not be detrimental to neither of the various elements of the setup right ?
My problem is that it seems most of what's available struggle to offer these two outputs, a trigger out - for the MPA of my example - and Topping's auto on/off that works so well on the Dx3pro+, but that's another matter.

So, in regard to the Dx9, this dual output is interesting in the flexibility it offers in a single unit (pure dac or preamp with a larger choice of devices, while separately differentiating the outputs between line and variable), but nothing that can't be achieved through already existing (less expensive) devices.
[Sorry if all of this doesn't entirely makes sense/isnt right, I've still got a lot of confusion about the intricacies of these close-but-different inputs/outputs and their respective compatibility, from the electrical to the sonic aspects]

 

[ZeZ]

Hi everyone, happy holidays!

Quick question - anyone know when or how will these be shipped?
Anyone with any experience in regards to purchasing this device or ordering from Topping (their partners) in general?


Thanks,
ZeZ

 

[iNetRunner]

Oh my yes, you're right ! If it's only to power a simple power amplifier, like a MPA-S125NC or 250 for example + an active sub, a good bunch of older models can do that. They just have to allow simultaneous RCA and XLR outputs, and then there's just the sub volume to adjust respectively to the preamp. If it doesn't put too much strain on the preamp that's a much better deal. I mean, considering this double output is meant to power two different amps, it should not be detrimental to neither of the various elements of the setup right ?
My problem is that it seems most of what's available struggle to offer these two outputs, a trigger out - for the MPA of my example - and Topping's auto on/off that works so well on the Dx3pro+, but that's another matter.

So, in regard to the Dx9, this dual output is interesting in the flexibility it offers in a single unit (pure dac or preamp with a larger choice of devices, while separately differentiating the outputs between line and variable), but nothing that can't be achieved through already existing (less expensive) devices.
[Sorry if all of this doesn't entirely makes sense/isnt right, I've still got a lot of confusion about the intricacies of these close-but-different inputs/outputs and their respective compatibility, from the electrical to the sonic aspects]

I think that you are looking at the details too much. To direct the same (volume controlled) signal to both your power amplifiers and your active subwoofer, people simply use Y-cables to send it to both. You don’t need two separate outputs.

 

[IJCOBRA]

Not much activity here (or anywhere on the internet) for a while now regarding the DX9. I have one on order through Amazon (ShenzhenAudio). I messaged them and they replied it is expected to be in stock soon and will ship at the end of the month.

I have a couple questions about certain use cases.

1. Can I run the DX9's RCA pre-outs from the DAC into a separate tube pre-amp, and then back into the DX9 for high-power amplification? Yes, I know most ASR user's thoughts on tubes and noise. Hey, I like to play around and experiment.

2. I'm unsure how the Bluetooth functionality works. If I connect the DX9 via USB to my 2015 MacBook (that only has Bluetooth 4.2 and SBC codec), can the DX9 stream my music to my headphones using higher quality Bluetooth 5.0 codecs (ex: AptX-Adaptive/HD, LDAC)? Or does the Bluetooth in the DX9 show up like a device that my phone or laptop can stream to, and then out the wired headphone connections (or pre-outs)?

3. What headphones would you recommend for this thing? I don't have anything too crazy... yet: Senn HD600, HiFiMan Sundara, Meze 99 Classic, Oppo PM-3, Sennheiser Momentum 2 ("HD-1").

 

[Human Bass]

Not much activity here (or anywhere on the internet) for a while now regarding the DX9. I have one on order through Amazon (ShenzhenAudio). I messaged them and they replied it is expected to be in stock soon and will ship at the end of the month.

I have a couple questions about certain use cases.

1. Can I run the DX9's RCA pre-outs from the DAC into a separate tube pre-amp, and then back into the DX9 for high-power amplification? Yes, I know most ASR user's thoughts on tubes and noise. Hey, I like to play around and experiment.

2. I'm unsure how the Bluetooth functionality works. If I connect the DX9 via USB to my 2015 MacBook (that only has Bluetooth 4.2 and SBC codec), can the DX9 stream my music to my headphones using higher quality Bluetooth 5.0 codecs (ex: AptX-Adaptive/HD, LDAC)? Or does the Bluetooth in the DX9 show up like a device that my phone or laptop can stream to, and then out the wired headphone connections (or pre-outs)?

3. What headphones would you recommend for this thing? I don't have anything too crazy... yet: Senn HD600, HiFiMan Sundara, Meze 99 Classic, Oppo PM-3, Sennheiser Momentum 2 ("HD-1").

1 - no
2 - no, dx9 is a Bluetooth receiver, not transmiter.
3 - whatever headphones you like, all those mentioned are easy work for the dx9

 

[IJCOBRA]

1 - no
2 - no, dx9 is a Bluetooth receiver, not transmiter.
3 - whatever headphones you like, all those mentioned are easy work for the dx9

Huh. Well, for #1 I suppose that is a benefit of separates instead of an all-in-one unit like the DX9. Thanks!

 

[VariousArtists]

Anyone received an actual unit or it's still getting delayed?