Topping E2x2 Audio Interface Review

[staticV3]

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.

Antlion Audio make their own adapter, built specifically for their Electret capsules.


Here are some measurements compared to the VXLR+:

Source

 

[brandon]

Interesting. I don't understand the graphs the best since I'm new to reading these types of measurements. I can tell the Antlion adapter stands out quite a bit, is that anything to worry about in terms of performance? I don't mind picking up a better one if it provides a tangible difference, since these adapters are cheap.

 

[AnalogSteph]

I can tell the Antlion adapter stands out quite a bit, is that anything to worry about in terms of performance?

Quite the contrary, it has lower noise and way higher output than the VXLR+, so basically seems to integrate some preamplifier circuitry as well. As long as your mic input can take a healthy input level - and the +8.6 dBu of an E2x2 should qualify - this should work splendidly. I would estimate about -8 dBV/Pa for the combo with a Modmic Uni 2, so max input level with that would be about 108 dB SPL, which is getting close to the 110 the mic can handle.

 

[brandon]

Good to know! thank you two for all the help

 

[Lion♡]

Good to know! thank you two for all the help

Are you Brandon from Headfi impulcifer? If not, I'm sorry!

 

[brandon]

Are you Brandon from Headfi impulcifer? If not, I'm sorry!

Nope! Never heard of that person, sorry to disappoint haha.

If you ever have questions about displays or color science then I'm your guy lol, but I'm relatively amateur in terms of headphones and audio.

 

[Yum9553]

Topping E2x2 vs E1x2 - Any critical difference?​

Howdy fellow audiophiles (lies I'm not).

I have an XRL Microphone (Samson Q2U) that I need to connect to my computer, but I was also looking to purchase in the future HD600/Sundara hence why I'm not going for focusrite interface. At first, I was going to buy the E2X2 but I really don't need anything more than the E1X2 (I have only one mic).

Any difference regarding the impedance of the headphone output between these two?

 

[staticV3]

Any difference regarding the impedance of the headphone output between these two?

None.

Welcome to ASR!

 

[Yum9553]

None.

Welcome to ASR!

My budget says thank you

 

[Viper780]

Do you already have the Focusrite?
I also have only one mic, but sometimes you need a kind of additional loopback or maybe a second mic for interview session (like I did yesterday - unplanned and spontaneous).

The E1X2 OTG is the same price as the E2X2 (non-OTG) and also the OTG one is here in the EU just a few bucks more.

If money is the issue there are some budget options, which are really decent. Like the the t.bone USB 1X (a cheaper branding of the Behringer MIC 2 USB) when you don't need phantom power.
When you do need a bit more Options than have a look at the Steinberg IXO Line (69€ for 1 Channel and 99€ for the IXO22).
Should be enough to drive any dynamic Headphone with enough Efficiency.
For the Sundara (open) and other Hifiman it could be a bit more powerful (depending on how loud you hear).
I also liked the Edition XS much more than the Sundara (but needs the same amount of power)

 

[totto]

I don't fully understand the difference between the OTG version and the standard version. I imagine using TSR/XLR combo input and aux output. I see there is an optic out on the OTG output among some other differences. Does anyone have some example of use cases for these extra features as I can't imagine what to use them for, but it might be that it would be nice to have

 

[Bohn Jick]

Hi, question for you experts: I'm diving in the techno-trance production side of things, mixing in the box as you would say with a fresh pair of Neumann NDH 30's. Now I'm newbie when it comes to audio interfaces, amps, dacs and so on. The E2x2 caught my interest as I started to learn a DAC and an AMP might enhance the sound quality and my production experience by getting the juice out of the NDH 30's vs. plugged in to the laptop's sound card.

I might utilize E2x2's inputs to record vocals later on, but my main focus is sound design and mixing with the NDH 30's (no monitors), therefore the sound quality matters the most.

Is there better Headphone DAC/AMP combos for $200 vs. the E2x2 that's noticeably better in sound quality that would make me ditch the E2x2 for having the option to record later?

For example I've been searching and the SMSL C200 / Topping DX3 Pro+ pair is showing up. Wonder if there's real difference with these to E2x2 in terms of dynamic range, transients etc. when producing, or am I overthinking.

@staticV3 @AnalogSteph tagging you, might be able to help me, others too ofc.

Thanks!

 

[deJuli]

Hey guys,
new here and this is my first post =)

I bought the topping E2x2 because it was just the perfect solution for my needs. I use it primarily as an headphone dac+amp for my headphones while listening to music on my laptop. But I also use the direct monitoring to play my bass along with a playback track or guitar pro. I have no intentions to record something right now but it is nice to know the option is there if I ever plan to do so. All is working great so far and I am really happy with the interface but I have a question regarding the exact implementation just to understand what is going on more thoroughly.

When I play bass with a backing track using direct monitoring the signal of my bass is loud enough but it could be a bit louder. I noticed that in the mixer section of the software I can mix in and even amplify the signal coming from my bass in addition to the direct monitoring itself resulting in a louder bass signal in the headphone mix.

My question is if the additional signal from the mixer is processed in any way hence has a little bit of delay in comparison to the direct monitoring signal and therefore potentially runs into phase issues. Or is the input signal in the mixer tab just routed directly to the headphone out similar to the direct monitoring and there should be no phase issues?

Also I would like to know if boosting the signal in the mixer could introduce clipping or is it save to amplify the signal there to the full (IIRC) +12db.

Of course I can and will try that out more in depth when I get home later and hear for my self if I can hear any phase issues or clipping when doing so but as I said I am also interested in what exactly is going on with the routing in the interface.

Thank you all for the great information provided in this thread which was a huge portion of why I got this interface I am so happy with in the first place!

 

[lini]

Just a little question: I'm curious about how the direct monitoring is handled on the E2x2 and E2x2 OTG. If one uses channel 1 & 2 for line-level-recording from stereo sources, does the direct monitoring distribute channel 1 and 2 to left and right on the headphone output? I ask that, because I've read, that in case of the Presonus Studio series models the direct monitoring rather feeds the input channels to the headphone output in mono, i.e. to both left & right each, so that direct monitoring of stereo signals can sound weird.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[ZööZ]

Just a little question: I'm curious about how the direct monitoring is handled on the E2x2 and E2x2 OTG. If one uses channel 1 & 2 for line-level-recording from stereo sources, does the direct monitoring distribute channel 1 and 2 to left and right on the headphone output? I ask that, because I've read, that in case of the Presonus Studio series models the direct monitoring rather feeds the input channels to the headphone output in mono, i.e. to both left & right each, so that direct monitoring of stereo signals can sound weird.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

From the topping control center you can control the stereo mix how each input and playback channel are played from the outputs.

EDIT
Played with the settings a little just now and the mixer settings don't affect the direct monitoring, my bad. (this is my second time using my E2x2 as I got it just couple of days ago) Monitoring through the mixer seems to me (and my untrained ears) as lag free as the direct monitoring.

 

[lini]

(...) Played with the settings a little just now and the mixer settings don't affect the direct monitoring, my bad. (...)

Thought so - direct monitoring behaviour usually doesn't seem to be a matter of the control software. Still, my questions remains: How does it actually behave in case of the E2x2 and E2x2 OTG?

I mean, I can imagine, that for singer-songwriter use it might actually be desirable to feed each input channel to both channels of the headphone output, as Presonus does it, so one doesn't get to hear one's voice on one side and one's instrument on the other. But I would like to use the interface for hifi purposes only, and thus would prefer a stereo-recording-friendly behaviour, that won't produce cancellation effects. Hence my question.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

P.S.: In case someone would mention it, I'm already aware, that the Arturia Minifuse 2 and the Steinberg IXO22 support both behaviours (selectable via front panel switch).

 

[Eldus]

Would a TOPPING E4X4 Pre USB Audio Interface (with 4 outputs) work for integrating a subwoofer crossover on PC perhaps with EQAPO? How robust is the topping control center app? I have Dirac for PC but want a proper crossover for my 2.1 system. I do not want to use VB banana.

 

[ZööZ]

Thought so - direct monitoring behaviour usually doesn't seem to be a matter of the control software. Still, my questions remains: How does it actually behave in case of the E2x2 and E2x2 OTG?

I mean, I can imagine, that for singer-songwriter use it might actually be desirable to feed each input channel to both channels of the headphone output, as Presonus does it, so one doesn't get to hear one's voice on one side and one's instrument on the other. But I would like to use the interface for hifi purposes only, and thus would prefer a stereo-recording-friendly behaviour, that won't produce cancellation effects. Hence my question.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

P.S.: In case someone would mention it, I'm already aware, that the Arturia Minifuse 2 and the Steinberg IXO22 support both behaviours (selectable via front panel switch).

Oh sorry omitted that part from my reply, at least one input is played from both L/R channels while monitoring. Haven't tried with two inputs yet.

 

[lini]

Oh sorry omitted that part from my reply, at least one input is played from both L/R channels while monitoring. Haven't tried with two inputs yet.

Thanks for the info. Then it'll probably behave the same way with two input channels, I'd assume. *sigh*

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[Pete James]

How would you compare the e2x2 to the DX5 in terms of DAC / Amp specs / power / resolution / neutrality. Are they pretty much the same? I can see the E2x2 actually beats the DX5 for headphone signal to noise ratio but i'm not sure about anything else. I'm looking for balanced outputs for studio monitors and a great headphone DAC amp and don't particularly need the mic/line inputs as I have an RME for my main studio but perhaps they could come in handy sometime. I'm more focused on getting the best sound I can. Is there a latency difference using USB?