TOPPING DX9！

[LETRA]

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.

Very impressive. It would be lovely to see here also a review of @amirm and pink panther playing golf but with Archimago review we will enjoy it for years. I don't think I'll be changing DAC and preamp until Topping releases their flagship 20th anniversary. The DX9 is the bomb and those of us who have it have stuck with it despite general ignorance and lack of promotion. The golden ears worked. Only the wisest could realize its quality even though almost no one was talking about the DX9

 

[poopy]

To replace DX9, the DX9 discrete:

 

[Roland68]

Very impressive. It would be lovely to see here also a review of @amirm and pink panther playing golf but with Archimago review we will enjoy it for years. I don't think I'll be changing DAC and preamp until Topping releases their flagship 20th anniversary. The DX9 is the bomb and those of us who have it have stuck with it despite general ignorance and lack of promotion. The golden ears worked. Only the wisest could realize its quality even though almost no one was talking about the DX9

I'm afraid that the Topping DX9 "15th Anniversary" Limited Edition is now a discontinued device. The DAC chips used were a very limited quantity and are probably used up by now.

 

[poopy]

I'm afraid that the Topping DX9 "15th Anniversary" Limited Edition is now a discontinued device. The DAC chips used were a very limited quantity and are probably used up by now.

Correct. Sold out in black. Apparently Topping only bought a certain quantity of the AKM AK4499EQ chip. Some units in Silver seem to be still available.

The replacement is the DX9 discrete, see above pic. Release date is August apparently.

 

[LETRA]

I'm afraid that the Topping DX9 "15th Anniversary" Limited Edition is now a discontinued device. The DAC chips used were a very limited quantity and are probably used up by now.

Indeed. Limited edition of 1800 units and manufactured more than two years ago. We'll have to see how this new Discrete model compares in measurements. It would be interesting to see in ASR reviews of the two devices although in any case we will be able to compare those of Discrete with those of Archimago.

 

[Roland68]

Correct. Sold out in black. Apparently Topping only bought a certain quantity of the AKM AK4499EQ chip. Some units in Silver seem to be still available.

The replacement is the DX9 discrete, see above pic. Release date is August apparently.

Indeed. Limited edition of 1800 units and manufactured more than two years ago. We'll have to see how this new Discrete model compares in measurements. It would be interesting to see in ASR reviews of the two devices although in any case we will be able to compare those of Discrete with those of Archimago.

After the fire, there was only a very limited supply of this DAC chip left, and the prices for the remaining chips rose sharply. I'm surprised they were able to get such a large quantity together.

 

[LETRA]

After the fire, there was only a very limited supply of this DAC chip left, and the prices for the remaining chips rose sharply. I'm surprised they were able to get such a large quantity together.

It is also surprising that AKG AKM (edited) could not resume manufacturing elsewhere. In any case we have a unique piece. I will be expectant to see what is said about Discrete but I will not leave the 15th Anniversary Edition without doing thorough A/B testing. I would like to be convinced with even better measurements, but there is a chance that this new model may not be as good as the original.

 

[Roland68]

It is also surprising that AKG could not resume manufacturing elsewhere. In any case we have a unique piece. I will be expectant to see what is said about Discrete but I will not leave the 15th Anniversary Edition without doing thorough A/B testing. I would like to be convinced with even better measurements, but there is a chance that this new model may not be as good as the original.

AKM , AKG, is now unfortunately a Samsung company.
AKM had two IT data centers on the site, each at the end. I suspect they made the same mistake as many companies and didn't keep a copy of their important data completely off-site, resulting in a significant loss of data.

 

[LETRA]

AKM , AKG, is now unfortunately a Samsung company.
AKM had two IT data centers on the site, each at the end. I suspect they made the same mistake as many companies and didn't keep a copy of their important data completely off-site, resulting in a significant loss of data.

Corrected, thanks for the observation. Regarding the chip manufacture Archimago devotes a large part of the beginning of his review to compare this chip with those of later manufacture. It remains incomprehensible that at the rate this technology is going AKM has not been able to manufacture a better chip than their flagship of three years ago. And also that the other manufacturers have been unable to make something clearly better. So this adds fuel to the conspiracy fire of those who saw it as very odd that that fab burned out without any solution of continuity with their flagship chip. And then along came Topping and got 1800 units for their 15th Anniversary... I am so satisfied with the DX9 that I am tempted to think that we have a myth here, an artifact that went unnoticed at its birth, but its legend grew with time... XD

 

[Roland68]

Corrected, thanks for the observation. Regarding the chip manufacture Archimago devotes a large part of the beginning of his review to compare this chip with those of later manufacture. It remains incomprehensible that at the rate this technology is going AKM has not been able to manufacture a better chip than their flagship of three years ago. And also that the other manufacturers have been unable to make something clearly better. So this adds fuel to the conspiracy fire of those who saw it as very odd that that fab burned out without any solution of continuity with their flagship chip. And then along came Topping and got 1800 units for their 15th Anniversary... I am so satisfied with the DX9 that I am tempted to think that we have a myth here, an artifact that went unnoticed at its birth, but its legend grew with time... XD

Such conspiracy theories become ridiculous when you consider the quantities AKM produced in the automotive, industrial, and aerospace sectors alone. Given these sales and volumes, the audio sector's share at AKM is nothing more than a hobby, just to put that into perspective.
With existing production data, it wouldn't have been a big problem at the time to buy into other production lines.
It's striking that many ICs were newly developed, and other ICs in some places give the impression of being copied/reverse engineered.
They probably had no choice but to develop the current AK4499EXEQ and AK4191EQ with the information and resources available – absolutely astonishing in such a short time. At least we can be excited to see what the next generation brings.

But these are all just my personal theories and assumptions, partly from my time as IT manager for large data sets and information that we received as manufacturers and suppliers for the automotive, industrial, and aerospace sectors.

 

[LETRA]

Such conspiracy theories become ridiculous when you consider the quantities AKM produced in the automotive, industrial, and aerospace sectors alone. Given these sales and volumes, the audio sector's share at AKM is nothing more than a hobby, just to put that into perspective.
With existing production data, it wouldn't have been a big problem at the time to buy into other production lines.
It's striking that many ICs were newly developed, and other ICs in some places give the impression of being copied/reverse engineered.
They probably had no choice but to develop the current AK4499EXEQ and AK4191EQ with the information and resources available – absolutely astonishing in such a short time. At least we can be excited to see what the next generation brings.

But these are all just my personal theories and assumptions, partly from my time as IT manager for large data sets and information that we received as manufacturers and suppliers for the automotive, industrial, and aerospace sectors.

Hum, I'm so looking forward to what the next generation can bring that my eyes are on what Topping releases for its 20th Anniversary because to see that in three years no one has been able to move this thing forward really disappoints me. It is not something normal in the world of technology. No wonder it fuels the suspicion of some.

 

[Bleib]

The natural step from discrete with PEQ is proper room measurement with a microphone for the price
An app to oversee the frequency response etc

 

[Roland68]

Topping has already removed the DX9 AK4499EQ from its website.
It's still available via the following link: Topping DX9 AK4499EQ

 

[NecroMan]

Topping has already removed the DX9 AK4499EQ from its website.

See it on toppingaudio.com in DAC / AMP Combo section...

 

[jcarys]

We can already do a comparison of the A90 and A90 discrete, so that should give a big clue that the new model will be 99% more of the same. I mean you can only push the specs so far into the non-detectable zone. My pet bat will appreciate the sonic upgrades.

 

[LETRA]

All this praise for the AK4499EQ chip has definitely sparked my curiosity... For anyone still hunting one down, the Topping DX9 is currently in stock at Audiophonics for €1300.

I bought it at the Spanish store Zococity, one of the biggest in Spain. Always better prices on Chinese brands than Audiophonics and reconditioned Grade A at scandalous prices. I don't know how much they charge for shipping to Europe, but it's a store I recommend.

 

[LETRA]

I'm interested to know if the new DX9 Discrete will have dsd native direct processing. Has any new information been released?

 

[terrys999]

I'm interested to know if the new DX9 Discrete will have dsd native direct processing. Has any new information been released?

It will have ak4499ex times 2.
Not the ak4499eq chip.
The e70 v had 4499 ex chip.
There was no dsd bypass .
Then again iam just assuming.

 

[LETRA]

It will have ak4499ex times 2.
Not the ak4499eq chip.
The e70 v had 4499 ex chip.
There was no dsd bypass .
Then again iam just assuming.

Thank you for your response. If that forecast comes true, and DX9 doesn't feature any new features other than the chip change, it will be a bit of a disappointment for me. I would like to see some news. I am also waiting for some Chinese brand to offer a headphone amp with more power than the DX9 and equivalent measurements. I don't want to spend my money on boutique products, but there is no new news of advancements except in the streamer sector.

 

[poopy]

The new one is a discrete version, i.e. 1-bit DAC. So no AKM or ESS chip, but based on PSRM modules I suppose. Same as the D90 discrete, probably 16-phase PSRM modules per channel.