Topping E2X2: Do I Need to Connect both Power and USB-C to PC?

[EvilGod]

Hey everyone,

I recently bought a Topping E2X2 and noticed that it has two inputs on the back: one for power and another for USB-C.

Currently, I have it connected to my PC via the USB-C port. I’m using it with my HD600 headphones and was wondering if I also need to connect the power input to my PC or if the USB-C connection alone is sufficient?

I’m using a Z370-A Prime motherboard, which has a Type-C port. E2X2 came with two cables Type-C to Type-A and Type-C to Type-C cables, should I connect both cables to the PC?

 

[Sokel]

Here:

 

[boxerfan88]

I have the E2x2OTG.

If you’re using the 48V output, I highly recommend dual power; as recommended in the previous post screenshot.

Why? My experience with 48V ON and single power is that the unit can become unstable and go offline suddenly. After I added the second USB power source, the E2x2OTG is stable. My unit is 3 weeks old, so far so good.

 

[EvilGod]

Thanks for the help. I connected POWER with C to A cable and Usb-C with C to C cable. The volume was a bit low so i also turned the Gain on.

 

[AnalogSteph]

Don't waste your board's single, 10 Gbit/s USB 3.1 Type C port on a measly (USB 2.0, 480 Mbit/s) audio interface if you can help it. I would recommend getting another A to C cable and trying various combinations of ports (USB 3.0 + 2.0, 2.0 + 3.0 or 3.0 + 3.0, or even 2.0 + 2.0). (Note, your board has quite a few internal USB connectors providing a total of 4 USB 3.0 and 4 USB 2.0 ports, and your case is unlikely to be using all of them. You may want to buy a matching slot bracket to make use of the unused ones. You can adapt internal USB 2.0 headers for use with 3.0 brackets, too. They'll obviously not get any faster but at least it'll give you extra 2.0 ports.)

I suspect the power port is pretty dumb and not even talking via USB, in which case it would be a better fit for a spare Type C phone charger to begin with (2$ Aliexpress special safety hazards are not recommended, mind you - just a solid, genuine 1 A job). The standard expects USB devices on a host to be requesting extra power if current exceeds 200 mA, a dumb port with no actual USB interface it behind it can't do that.