boxerfan88
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Have you tried to save config into device after getting the setup working?
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Topping E2x2 Audio Interface Review
- Thread starter amirm
- Start date
Something to consider for anyone thinking about getting one of those Topping interfaces.
It appears my E4x4 cannot record frequencies above aprox 22khz (obviously when recording at higher sample rates). I was able to record frequencies up to 70khz with the Motu M4 but the Topping just has like a hard cut just after the audible range.
I think it's the preamp. It would make sense since afaik it cannot be bypassed when recording line signals. In 99.99% of cases this won't be an issue but I was disappointed when trying to do some ultrasonic recordings with a SO 104 mic.
Edit:
I was wrong. See my post below.
It appears my E4x4 cannot record frequencies above aprox 22khz (obviously when recording at higher sample rates). I was able to record frequencies up to 70khz with the Motu M4 but the Topping just has like a hard cut just after the audible range.
I think it's the preamp. It would make sense since afaik it cannot be bypassed when recording line signals. In 99.99% of cases this won't be an issue but I was disappointed when trying to do some ultrasonic recordings with a SO 104 mic.
Edit:
I was wrong. See my post below.
Last edited:
AnalogSteph
Master Contributor
I very much doubt it. High-order filtering in the analog domain is hard. The interface running at the wrong sample rate (probably 44.1k or 48k) and the result being upsampled seems much more likely. What software and sound API are you recording with?
Zebidee
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But if you look at the frequency response from the original review the low pass filter can be seen when sample rate is set to 192 kHz.
It doesn't bother me as I am not recording ultrasonic frequencies, this is the finest sounding mobile solution I have come across that fits in a small carry bag and can be powered with a power bank. For audible range recording duties I can't think of a better value. Was looking at the Sonosax SX-M2D2 but that is over £1500 and the audio specs are not as good as the E2x2...
Zebidee
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Oh, sorry about that. Oh well it's better than I thought and pier25 must be running at a lower sample rate after all.
I did a new test and you are right!
I was using Ocenaudio and even though the resulting file was 192k it looks like there was some weird issue with the sample rate. Not sure what happened. Never had this happen to me with other audio interfaces.
So this time I used Wavelab and made sure the sample rate was correct in the Topping control panel.
Skittle8336
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Could anyone do RTL measurement using this portable app for me?
I'm mostly interested in 44,100 Hz with buffer sizes of 8, 16, 32, or 64 samples (it doesn't have to be all of them).
I'm considering switching to Topping, but the lack of updated RTL measurements is the only thing holding me back.
I'm mostly interested in 44,100 Hz with buffer sizes of 8, 16, 32, or 64 samples (it doesn't have to be all of them).
I'm considering switching to Topping, but the lack of updated RTL measurements is the only thing holding me back.
AnalogSteph
Master Contributor
I don't know whether recording straight to 44.1 is the right strategy if you're after lowest RTL. You've got 39/fs + 26/fs = 1.4 ms worth of delay in the ADC and DAC digital filters alone, assuming that both are the default (sharp) variety which I think is the case here. Your typical XMOS controller jobs don't tend to set any records either, custom FPGAs have yet to be defeated in this regard (but obviously aren't a thing anywhere near this price range).
It's a minor miracle that the ADC is just about 44.1-kHz-proof to begin with. That automatically implies a certain complexity and hence latency in a linear-phase filter.
It's a minor miracle that the ADC is just about 44.1-kHz-proof to begin with. That automatically implies a certain complexity and hence latency in a linear-phase filter.
staticV3
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Thank you! I constantly see people being practically forced to buy preamps regardless of their audio interface, especially for the SM7B.
staticV3
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Mind you, you may still struggle to reach 0dBFS Peak levels out of the box, but a Fethead or Couldlifter offers no noise advantage over the E2x2's internal Preamp, meaning that boosting the signal digitally achieves the same thing as an external Pre, but for free.
Edit:
If for some reason a digital level adjustment is not acceptable, then there are three interfaces that will likely allow you to clip the output without digitally adjusting levels:
Elgato Wave XLR, Motu mk5, Lewitt Connect 6
These can record 20dB hotter than the E2x2, and 10dB hotter than the closest competition.
However, when level-matched in post, noise and recording quality of the E2x2 will be superior than the Lewitt and Elgato, and about as good as the Motu.
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Did you find any solution to that? I find it crashes on my M1 Max also. All recent operating systems, 13, 14, and now on 15...I got the Topping E1x2 OTG, downloaded and installed the TOPPING Professional Control Center for Mac, but it keeps crashing on my M4 Max Mac Studio.
It seems to happen mostly when I first plug it in, if I left TPCC open, then it crashes, and then you have to try open it about 3-5 times before it eventually stops crashing and then stays open. Very annoying. I must get around to writing a script that automatically quits TPCC after I plug out the topping....i.e seems to be mostly fine if you only open the app after you connect the topping...
FWIW, I'd still buy it even with this issue, haven't noticed any real issues like drops outs, or random disconnects yet...
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Hello it’s me again, sorry but do I need to use additional power? I’m currently using just usb c to usb c to my pc, works fine with headphones. I didn’t plug in sm7b yet, do i need that 5V thing or i can just plug power into my pc also? So “usb-c” and “power” both go to pc is that ok?
staticV3
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Page 12 of the user manual:
Plugging in an additional power supply is not mandatory.
Plugging both USB ports into your PC achieves nothing.
Last edited:
I see, thanks! I have other Topping products, like a DAC and an amplifier, and they all have two cables — a USB cable and a power cable, often with a power adapter. So it seemed strange that in this case, where both the DAC and amplifier are in one interface, only a single USB cable is needed. Also, I have a question: the power button is located on the back — is it okay to leave the device on 24/7, or should it be turned off periodically?
staticV3
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You can leave it on 24/7
Skittle8336
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If anyone is interested, here are measurements of RTL with buffer sizes from 8-128 between Audient iD4 MKII and Topping E1x2 OTG at 44.1 kHz.
TOPP ON is with safety buffer enabled in the control panel and TOPP OFF is with it disabled.
I love Audient, but 2 of my 3 interfaces broke with endless rotary encoder reading random values and blasting sound at maximum volume.
Topping is the only other interface with such a good headphone amp, so I'm willing to sacrifice higher RTL for a better headphone amp and controlling volume with a potentiometer.
Overall, I am very happy with the interface.
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