TOPPING DX9！

[terrys999]

I have had an RME ADI-2 DAC for over two years and the improvement in headphone listening over the DX9 is outrageous. As a DAC there may be doubts and preferences, but as a headphone amplifier the RME simply doesn't have the quality or power of the DX9. The differences are abysmal.

Yep that’s what I found.
I mean the rme is brill for tuning headphones ect.....
But the dx sound better to my ears.

A lot a people find it hard to justify the price! Of dx9 .But the d70 pro and a70 costs £1200.

I have the a70 pro d70 stack too.
My partner uses that.

 

[unpluggged]

I have had an RME ADI-2 DAC for over two years and the improvement in headphone listening over the DX9 is outrageous. As a DAC there may be doubts and preferences, but as a headphone amplifier the RME simply doesn't have the quality or power of the DX9. The differences are abysmal.

And even if it does perform any better, it's only until it dies along with killing your headphone.

 

[Roland68]

And even if it does perform any better, it's only until it dies along with killing your headphone.

Where does this information come from and why would this happen?
I have never heard of a defective DX9 or a headphone being damaged and I know a few people who have been using it since it was released.
Could you please provide information or links to support this?

 

[Roland68]

Nothing gorgeous in ripping off design from others.
View attachment 434982

Then the RME with the transparent lid is just a copy of many before it. It was absolutely nothing new.
It's good that you pointed that out.

 

[unpluggged]

Where does this information come from and why would this happen?
I have never heard of a defective DX9 or a headphone being damaged and I know a few people who have been using it since it was released.
Could you please provide information or links to support this?

I'm not going to repeat myself for a thousandth time. You have been a member of this forum for long enough to be aware that the manufacturer in question is notorious for unreliable designs that result not only in failures of their products themselves but also in damage to other equipment in some cases. Not to mention the non-existent aftersales product support and very short product lifecycles. For a $70 DAC like the E30 II Lite I don't mind to take risk, but for some product that is in the same price bracket as a true commercial studio-grade converter from a first-world country of origin with much richer feature set and corresponding QC and support, — no, thank you. The ADI-2 Pro has been around for almost ten years now and still receives updates and support. I'd like to see what the case would be with the DX9 here another year from now.

I find it amusing how some people here are jumping in to defend the shady manufacturers from places like Guangzhou and Shenzhen that had forgotten that they are still by far not in the same league as the first-tier pro audio manufacturers, yet they dare to ask first-tier prices, as if it was something personal.

Then the RME with the transparent lid is just a copy of many before it. It was absolutely nothing new.

Perhaps, but the DX9 is an obvious rip-off of ADI-2 Pro AE's design specifically, not the other way around. Especially with the engravings on top and the amber lighting. And also the analyzer screen layout and its color scheme are too similar to RME's.

Still we hadn't seen here yet the factual basis for the claim that "as a headphone amplifier the RME simply doesn't have the quality or power of the DX9. The differences are abysmal".

 

[Arnas]

I'm not going to repeat myself for a thousandth time. You have been a member of this forum for long enough to be aware that the manufacturer in question is notorious for unreliable designs that result not only in failures of their products themselves but also in damage to other equipment in some cases. Not to mention the non-existent aftersales product support and very short product lifecycles. For a $70 DAC like the E30 II Lite I don't mind to take risk, but for some product that is in the same price bracket as a true commercial studio-grade converter from a first-world country of origin with much richer feature set and corresponding QC and support, — no, thank you. The ADI-2 Pro has been around for almost ten years now and still receives updates and support. I'd like to see what the case would be with the DX9 here another year from now.

I find it amusing how some people here are jumping in to defend the shady manufacturers from places like Guangzhou and Shenzhen that had forgotten that they are still by far not in the same league as the first-tier pro audio manufacturers, yet they dare to ask first-tier prices, as if it was something personal.


Perhaps, but the DX9 is an obvious rip-off of ADI-2 Pro AE's design specifically, not the other way around. Especially with the engravings on top and the amber lighting. And also the analyzer screen layout and its color scheme are too similar to RME's.

Still we hadn't seen here yet the factual basis for the claim that "as a headphone amplifier the RME simply doesn't have the quality or power of the DX9. The differences are abysmal".

Topping did it much better. Rme looks like a turd compared to this sexy Topping.

 

[terrys999]

I have noticed on this forumthat anyone who mentions anything good about the sound quality’s of the dx9,
Is attacked!
Unplugged we all know the history of topping reliability, I for one had the pa. it died like others have mentioned.

I like others have purchased the dx9. So what??
If it goes to shit, then that’s on us.
I too have the rme , it’s brill, I like the dx better, but if people want to buy this dx then that’s ok.

Does it really matter that this topping has a glass top? Like it’s been copied from the adi pro.
It’s like everyone’s bitter .
I Don’t get it.

 

[LETRA]

I have noticed on this forumthat anyone who mentions anything good about the sound quality’s of the dx9,
Is attacked!
Unplugged we all know the history of topping reliability, I for one had the pa. it died like others have mentioned.

I like others have purchased the dx9. So what??
If it goes to shit, then that’s on us.
I too have the rme , it’s brill, I like the dx better, but if people want to buy this dx then that’s ok.

Does it really matter that this topping has a glass top? Like it’s been copied from the adi pro.
It’s like everyone’s bitter .
I Don’t get it.

It is a business tactic. If you search for the Topping DX9 in Google you will find dozens of threads where magically some participate to recommend the RME ADI-2 DAC although they are two devices that have nothing to do. Look at the Reddit threads and you'll be amazed at the things they say. The deception goes so far as to recommend it to users looking for a device as a headphone amplifier, where the RME can't even compete. It's simply advertising to inexperienced audio enthusiasts looking for information on Google. A model more than ten years old, it says, as if that were a virtue in the audio world. An old device to which they intend to continue getting profitability although it has become outdated and there are much better things on the market. Furthermore, the superiority of the RME's origin “from a first-world country” exudes racism, which is no coincidence when it comes to Germany.

 

[Jimbob54]

It is a business tactic. If you search for the Topping DX9 in Google you will find dozens of threads where magically some participate to recommend the RME ADI-2 DAC although they are two devices that have nothing to do. Look at the Reddit threads and you'll be amazed at the things they say. The deception goes so far as to recommend it to users looking for a device as a headphone amplifier, where the RME can't even compete. It's simply advertising to inexperienced audio enthusiasts looking for information on Google. A model more than ten years old, it says, as if that were a virtue in the audio world. An old device to which they intend to continue getting profitability although it has become outdated and there are much better things on the market. Furthermore, the superiority of the RME's origin “from a first-world country” exudes racism, which is no coincidence when it comes to Germany.

I think you need to wind it in a bit and stick to facts please.

 

[LETRA]

I think you need to wind it in a bit and stick to facts please.

Sorry. I simply commented that "I have had an RME ADI-2 DAC for over two years and the improvement in headphone listening over the DX9 is outrageous. As a DAC there may be doubts and preferences, but as a headphone amplifier the RME simply doesn't have the quality or power of the DX9. The differences are abysmal" and received a complete off-topic advertisement for RME ADI-2 DAC with built-in German superiority and false rumors that my headphones would die if I used a product of Chinese provenance.

 

[terrys999]

Sorry. I simply commented that "I have had an RME ADI-2 DAC for over two years and the improvement in headphone listening over the DX9 is outrageous. As a DAC there may be doubts and preferences, but as a headphone amplifier the RME simply doesn't have the quality or power of the DX9. The differences are abysmal" and received a complete off-topic advertisement for RME ADI-2 DAC with built-in German superiority and false rumors that my headphones would die if I used a product of Chinese provenance.

I agree totally.
Ilove my rme it does it all.
But the differences are there.
Too my ears the dx9 sounds better, buts thats to my ears.

My Dacs

irdac 2
mdac plus
adi 2 dac fs
e70 sabre Tried the e70 akm didnt like it, the dsd cutoff too low 19khz.
dx9

i have a huge amount of sacd and dsd albums, around 3000 albums in total. alot of living stereo classical from tape to dsd.

The dx9 Plays dsd Perfectly.
Horses For Courses.

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

i have a huge amount of sacd and dsd albums, around 3000 albums in total.

Damn, I wish I had access to your hard drive

 

[Jimbob54]

Sorry. I simply commented that "I have had an RME ADI-2 DAC for over two years and the improvement in headphone listening over the DX9 is outrageous. As a DAC there may be doubts and preferences, but as a headphone amplifier the RME simply doesn't have the quality or power of the DX9. The differences are abysmal" and received a complete off-topic advertisement for RME ADI-2 DAC with built-in German superiority and false rumors that my headphones would die if I used a product of Chinese provenance.

That isnt what I was objecting to.

This is
"It is a business tactic. If you search for the Topping DX9 in Google you will find dozens of threads where magically some participate to recommend the RME ADI-2 DAC although they are two devices that have nothing to do. Look at the Reddit threads and you'll be amazed at the things they say. The deception goes so far as to recommend it to users looking for a device as a headphone amplifier, where the RME can't even compete."

Do you want to double down or pack it in?

 

[terrys999]

Damn, I wish I had access to your hard drive

Ahah.
They were originally ripped from old PlayStation.
I have entire living stereo
Pentatone
Channel classic
Bis
Grammaphon

And assorted other top classic album labels.


And of course rock and pop dsd albums
Direstraits
Diana krall
Pink Floyd
And on and on ect.....

Very nice collection
Took yrs to get.

 

[LETRA]

That isnt what I was objecting to.

This is
"It is a business tactic. If you search for the Topping DX9 in Google you will find dozens of threads where magically some participate to recommend the RME ADI-2 DAC although they are two devices that have nothing to do. Look at the Reddit threads and you'll be amazed at the things they say. The deception goes so far as to recommend it to users looking for a device as a headphone amplifier, where the RME can't even compete."

Do you want to double down or pack it in?

I have not said anything else. I don't quite understand what you mean. Do you want me to delete those sentences you have highlighted?

 

[Jimbob54]

I have not said anything else. I don't quite understand what you mean. Do you want me to delete those sentences you have highlighted?

No- I want you to stop suggesting what you are suggesting- about the business tactic conspiracy theory. Unless you have proof. Im not sure what the communication issue is- you are saying something then seemingly not understanding the implication of what you are saying.

 

[LETRA]

No- I want you to stop suggesting what you are suggesting- about the business tactic conspiracy theory. Unless you have proof. Im not sure what the communication issue is- you are saying something then seemingly not understanding the implication of what you are saying.

Okay, I won't debate on that side. No malice intended.

 

[Bl00dWolf]

Sorry, I have a question.
What amplifier class is installed in the DX9? Is it A, A\B or D?

Not long ago I learned about RAA (Reference Audio Analyzer). I think I can take my DX9 to Roman from RAA for measurements, I'll think about it

 

[Roland68]

Sorry, I have a question.
What amplifier class is installed in the DX9? Is it A, A\B or D?

Not long ago I learned about RAA (Reference Audio Analyzer). I think I can take my DX9 to Roman from RAA for measurements, I'll think about it

Probably A/B, it can't be D.

 

[Bl00dWolf]

Tech review of DX9

Part I: Topping DX9 "15th Anniversary" Limited Edition DAC & Headphone Amplifier - build, features, listening impressions & subjective luxury.

A blog for audiophiles about more objective topics. Measurements of audio gear. Reasonable, realistic, no snakeoil assessment of sound, and equipment.

archimago.blogspot.com

Part II: Topping DX9 "15th Anniversary" Limited Edition DAC & Headphone Amplifier - PCM Filters, Frequency Response & DAC Resolution. (And Trump's ongoing oblivious narcissistic tariff buffoonery.) [Firmware 1.23 Update]

A blog for audiophiles about more objective topics. Measurements of audio gear. Reasonable, realistic, no snakeoil assessment of sound, and equipment.

archimago.blogspot.com

Part III: Topping DX9 "15th Anniversary" Limited Edition DAC & Headphone Amplifier - DSD, S/PDIF inputs, headphone out, pre-out, and AMPT. And the desire beyond Perceptibly Perfect.

A blog for audiophiles about more objective topics. Measurements of audio gear. Reasonable, realistic, no snakeoil assessment of sound, and equipment.

archimago.blogspot.com

Also new firmware from apr 22 2025 - 1.23

V1.23 (April 21, 2025)

Fix: Resolved the issue of abnormal frequency response when the input sampling rate is 176.4kHz or 192kHz.