Topping E2x2 Audio Interface Review

[AnalogSteph]

I think I can answer some of these even without being a Topping rep:

- Why is there no ADAT in?. I would gladly use the D/A converter on the 2X2 as additional headphone or monitors.

You may have noticed that interfaces with ADAT I/O tend to be a fair bit more expensive. It seems likely that Topping could implement it since there's even an appnote dedicated to the possibility of implementing it in XMOS, it just seems likely that they haven't done it before.

- Maybe some standalone mode for future units would be useful. I do have to go into the Control Center and set up the Spdif out everytime I turn the unit off. Not a big deal but it would be nice if it remember their last state or I can set it as an external A/D in the hardware

Not sure whether there are any XMOS based devices that can be used standalone. In any case what you want would require an extra serial EEPROM, adding a bit of cost and an extra potential failure point (yes, these do occasionally die, and they appreciate some wear levelling).

- Is it possible to bypass the preamp in the line-in. I don't think is a problem but it would be better for me since I already have external preamps

I'm not sure what you are hoping to gain with this (pun not intended), easier channel matching? The preamps are so good that there's really no need for it otherwise (which wouldn't be the case if they were of the digitally-controlled PGA variety in this price class), and with a fixed-level input your choice of level is always going to be a compromise. Given that the converters are not exactly at the bleeding edge of achievable dynamic range, you don't have too much to give away in that department.

We'll see what happens when the new CS4282P codec gains traction which promises well over 120 dB of dynamic range on both ends; ES9290 may be a slight step forward as well but I'm not holding my breath (but having a modern third contender in this class next to the AK4621 and aging CS4272 certainly can't hurt).

 

[Luchof26]

I think I can answer some of these even without being a Topping rep:

You may have noticed that interfaces with ADAT I/O tend to be a fair bit more expensive. It seems likely that Topping could implement it since there's even an appnote dedicated to the possibility of implementing it in XMOS, it just seems likely that they haven't done it before.

Not sure whether there are any XMOS based devices that can be used standalone. In any case what you want would require an extra serial EEPROM, adding a bit of cost and an extra potential failure point (yes, these do occasionally die, and they appreciate some wear levelling).

I'm not sure what you are hoping to gain with this (pun not intended), easier channel matching? The preamps are so good that there's really no need for it otherwise (which wouldn't be the case if they were of the digitally-controlled PGA variety in this price class), and with a fixed-level input your choice of level is always going to be a compromise. Given that the converters are not exactly at the bleeding edge of achievable dynamic range, you don't have too much to give away in that department.

We'll see what happens when the new CS4282P codec gains traction which promises well over 120 dB of dynamic range on both ends; ES9290 may be a slight step forward as well but I'm not holding my breath (but having a modern third contender in this class next to the AK4621 and aging CS4272 certainly can't hurt).I

Yes, for the price maybe it is asking too much for full ADAT I/O. I would be able to use the Topping as my main interface without having to use the Digiface. Also the new interface they are going to release with 4 preamps only has ADAT out, so you cannot integrate the line outs, 2 spdif outs instead of a full spdif I/O. Anyways I already have my Dream Topping interface with the Digiface, the Topping E2x2 as my A/D and the Topping E50 with the L50 as DAC and headphone amp. I have never been happier with a setup and I have used RME, Ferrofish and Antelope in the past. If they would make this in one interface with ADAT I/O, that would be amazing. Seeing how much the Topping DACs have grown in quality and quantity it seems just a matter of time.



Weirdly enough now it is remembering the Spdif setting so that must have been fixed in the last update.



The preamp topic is just to avoid adding things to the signal path that you don't need. Even the new Neumann interface that cost around 2000 Euros cannot bypass the preamps, so it is not something exclusive to the Topping unit. It works really well even if it is not possible to bypass the preamp in the line in. So like you say, it really is not a problem.

 

[abyyfy]

Is it possible to connect E2x2's OTG port to a macBook the same way I connect USB-to-minijack dongle? (so E2x2 would treat macBook as "mobile in/out" device)
I tried all types of cables (USB-C to USB-C, USB-C to USB-A + USB-A to USB-C in both directions etc.) but have no success.

Why do I think this in theory should be possible?

If you take an ordinary USB-C-to-minijack audio cable, which is, in fact, a simple audio interface, you can use it with your mobile phone or with your macBook. Both devices will recognize it as an external "headset" or smth.
Now, if you have your E2x2 connected normally to a PC with Topping software, you can additionally connect E2x2 to your mobile phone via OTG USB-C port. And your phone will used E2x2 as a "headset" with in and out, the very same way, as with USB-C-to-minijack cable.
Therefore, I suppose, it should be possible to connect E2x2's OTG port to a macBook the very same way.
But unfortunately it doesn't work.
I believe, it might be USB negotiation issue or kind of a limit for device type.

I'd appreciate any thoughts.

UPD. I was just able to successfully connect the E2x2 OTG port to another PC, and the device was recognized as an audio I/O, and it's works. Also, I was able to connect OTG port to the same PC, that E2x2 is connected normally, and it also works!! Windows 7 detects it as "Headphones (OTG)". This means it's a MacBook issue, but I'm still thinking how to connect it.

 

[Bob101]

This means it's a MacBook issue.

That would be a first...

 

[Luchof26]

Yes, according to their marketing you should be able to connect to 2 computers at the same time, so it is strange that it doesn't work on Mac. I havent tested this functionality yet.

 

[SLAS]

I bought a sound card Topping E2x2 otg, but there is a problem. I have a two-core computer, and when I turn on the sound card, one core begins to load at 100%, you can watch YouTube only with jerks, on the built-in card rialtec such was not. In the task manager appears process which most of all loads the processor, system interrupts called. How to get rid of this, and to not load the system, please advise.

 

[AnalogSteph]

@SLAS Could you provide some details on your "two-core computer" (run msinfo32 or something)? Does the high CPU usage even happen before installing the drivers?

I might try the OTG port as that should be class compliant and not require any additional drivers.

Also, your old potato of a computer may not even sport USB 3.0 yet and the current draw of this interface exceeds the traditional 500 mA limit, so supplying additional power may be necessary.

 

[SLAS]

AnalogSteph​

I don't have USB 3.0, only 2.0. The high load happens when I have already turned on the sound card and also the aimp player. But with rialtek aimp doesn't load the computer like that.

I connected the power bank on one battery to the sound card Topping E2x2 otg, and nothing changed, as loaded and loads, even two cores loads 100%, nothing else can not be used, the computer is loaded.

AnalogSteph​

Я из Украины.

I'm from Ukraine.

​

 

[AnalogSteph]

New peripherals rarely get tested on near 15-year-old hardware, so some warts are not unexpected. Is the interface directly connected to one of the back USB ports? You could still try whether a powered USB hub makes a difference. If push comes to shove, you may have to go with a more age-appropriate interface. (You also have a pretty fancy onboard audio chip in the form of an ALC889, connecting that to a small portable mixer like the Mackie 402 VLZ4 that I have here would be another option. You obviously have to set the Main Mix to like -12 dB for decent level matching between the mixer and onboard line-in.) Have you tried contacting Topping about this? I wouldn't get my hopes up but it is worth a try...

I would check whether the USB host controller is using an MSI mode interrupt:

Windows: Line-Based vs. Message Signaled-Based Interrupts. MSI tool.

... or another attempt to improve latencies Little bit of theory: ***** From "Windows Internals" by Mark Russinovich, David A. Solomon, Alex Ionescu Line-Based vs. Message Signaled-Based Interrupts Shared interrupts are often the cause of high interrupt latency and can also cause stability...

forums.guru3d.com

If not, this might explain the issue.

LatencyMon may allow you to pinpoint the driver at fault, too:

Download LatencyMon - MajorGeeks

LatencyMon checks if a system running Windows is suitable for processing real-time audio and other tasks. It analyzes the possible causes of buffer underruns by measuring kernel timer latencies and reporting DPC and ISR execution times as well as hard page faults.

www.majorgeeks.com

It is worth bearing in mind that the E8200 predates AVX instruction set extensions and stops at SSE 4.1, though you'd think that would be plenty for a sound driver.

 

[SLAS]

At first I Topping E2x2 otg connected to the front USB inputs, but then my program kept crashing, turn on, turn off, then I connected to the rear socket, tried different rear USB sockets, and everywhere loads the CPU. LatencyMon program shows that USBPORT.SYS is the most load.

The top screen on the Rialtek works. And music from aimp player was playing.

Bottom Topping E2x2 otg. And music from aimp player was playing.

Contacting topping support at the moment, they will be working on my issue for the moment, have responded.

 

[Vicent]

Hello.
I'm new to the forum and I apologize for the automatic translation.

I'd be interested in knowing something about the noise of the knobs when operating them as mentioned in a review by Julian Krause.
And also how the headphone output sounds in terms of high fidelity and compared to amplifiers such as the ifi audio.

I'm surprised that this isn't discussed here since it's the only fault that Julian Krause has with this interface and nothing is said about its sound profile on headphones.
Or maybe I just haven't read it...

 

[staticV3]

Hi @Vicent! Welcome to ASR.

and nothing is said about its sound profile on headphones.

Any sort of sound profile would show up as a deviation from flat in Krause's Headphone out frequency response graph:


That there is no deviation, means that the E2x2 is a neutral audio source.

It'll play your music/audio as-is, without imparting any kind of profile or coloration or sound onto it.

 

[Luchof26]

Or do none of the things suggested above and stay in wonderland
[/QUOTE

I will, thanks!

 

[Schnozinator]

Hey guys, probably a silly question but as an amateur I’m wondering if there’s anything wrong with me leaving the headphone amp in “gain” mode all the time? I’m finding my headphones a tad quiet without it.

I’m very happy with the interface, coming from a MOTU M2 I need to give my mic a little more gain with the Topping but nothing out of the usual. Headphone power in gain mode is insane.

 

[Bob101]

Hey guys, probably a silly question but as an amateur I’m wondering if there’s anything wrong with me leaving the headphone amp in “gain” mode all the time? I’m finding my headphones a tad quiet without it.

I’m very happy with the interface, coming from a MOTU M2 I need to give my mic a little more gain with the Topping but nothing out of the usual. Headphone power in gain mode is insane.

Nothing wrong wtih that. I have (20y old) 40 ohm, very sensitive over ear Sony's (I use them because they are good closed backs, with very little sound leaking, and they just won't die. They go loud enough with the gain-setting off, but I too use them with the 'gain' on. Sound quality-wise I don't hear the difference. My Sennheiser HD650's at 300 Ohm reallly need the gain
The 'normal' gain setting is mainly meant for use with IEM's, where the lower noise floor and more precise volume adjustment that comes with the lower power output are almost a necessity.
That said, the HP-volume pot the e2x2 is very good at any setting, from the lowest. For comparison: I've got a small Mackie-mixer, with a VERY loud (but def NOT so nice sounding) HP-amp. With the (cheap...) HP-volume pot below 9 o'clock the L-R output matching is in practice non-existent, and by then the volume my cans produce is already painful.
I need new headphones.

 

[Pete James]

How does this compare to toppings dedicated DAC amps? The trouble is I only want to use my laptop as a source so I really need a USB input. I could get a DX3 Pro+ but then I don't have balanced outputs for my studio monitors which is a secondary function i'd really appreciate. The other topping DAC amps like the L50 and L30 don't seem to have any way to connect a laptop with high quality. Similar with the RME ADI - I'd need a babyface instead which might less performant but will offer me a USB. The headphones I like and am probably going to buy are the Arya Organic or LCD-X. Thanks

 

[staticV3]

The other topping DAC amps like the L50 and L30 don't seem to have any way to connect a laptop with high quality.

Those are purely analog Amps. There's no DAC inside.

Similar with the RME ADI

The RME ADI-2 DAC has USB input.

The headphones I like and am probably going to buy are the Arya Organic or LCD-X. Thanks

Both are very sensitive, easy to drive headphones. You'd barely need any power for them.

If you're looking for an inexpensive DAC+Amp with balanced Line out for your monitors, then take a look at the SMSL C200, DL100, DL200, and RAW-MDA1.

You can find reviews here on ASR.

 

[brandon]

@staticV3 You seem very knowledgeable so I'd like to ask a quick question if you don't mind. Could the line-level in on the e2x2 be used with a microphone that terminates to a 3.5mm TRS? From my understanding I would need to get a 6.3mm to 3.5mm adapter so it can plug into the center of the combo jack. However, I'm unsure if the microphone will provide enough voltage, since mic-level signals are usually much much lower than line-level signals. I plan on using the interface with the Modmic Uni 2, but I'm having a hard time understanding its specs, which are listed below.

• SNR: 70 (Typ) dB
• Sensitivity:-36±3 dB
• Impedance: 2.2(Max) kΩ
• S/N Ratio: 67(Typ) dB
• Maximum Input Sound Pressure Level: 110(Max) dB
• Standard Operating Voltage: 3.0 Vdc
• Operating Voltage Range: 1.0~10 Vdc

Would this microphone work with the line-level input on the e2x2, or would I need to use the 48V XLR phantom power convertor that modmic sells? Is there a pre-amp built into the line-level that would be able to adequately up the voltage of the incoming mic signal to appropriate levels?

Thank you

 

[staticV3]

@staticV3 You seem very knowledgeable so I'd like to ask a quick question if you don't mind. Could the line-level in on the e2x2 be used with a microphone that terminates to a 3.5mm TRS? From my understanding I would need to get a 6.3mm to 3.5mm adapter so it can plug into the center of the combo jack. However, I'm unsure if the microphone will provide enough voltage, since mic-level signals are usually much much lower than line-level signals. I plan on using the interface with the Modmic Uni 2, but I'm having a hard time understanding its specs, which are listed below.

• SNR: 70 (Typ) dB
• Sensitivity:-36±3 dB
• Impedance: 2.2(Max) kΩ
• S/N Ratio: 67(Typ) dB
• Maximum Input Sound Pressure Level: 110(Max) dB
• Standard Operating Voltage: 3.0 Vdc
• Operating Voltage Range: 1.0~10 Vdc

Would this microphone work with the line-level input on the e2x2, or would I need to use the 48V XLR phantom power convertor that modmic sells? Is there a pre-amp built into the line-level that would be able to adequately up the voltage of the incoming mic signal to appropriate levels?

Thank you

You will need the Phantom power converter.

With Modmic->Phantom Power converter->E2x2 Microphone input, you'll have ample gain.

 

[AnalogSteph]

You will need the Phantom power converter.

Those typically being a RØDE VXLR+ or VXLR Pro. Apparently the VXLR Pro has a transformer-balanced output while it's basically unbalanced on the VXLR+ so results with the latter may vary depending on how noisy the phantom power supply is.