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

EvilGod

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Aug 13, 2024
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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.
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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?
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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I got my E2x2 OTG today, and my HP Pavillon 500 series does not like it. AMD A6-5200 APU, 16 gig RAM, Win10 Home. Connected to the front USB3 port.
Control center opens fine. Controls work.
However playing a file in media player for instance, stops after just a blip. Operating system slows and becomes erratic. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
Check the supply power. Try connecting both USB ports.

Initially I had unstable operation with 1 USB connection, especially when supplying 48V to the mic. After I connected the 2nd usb port for additional power, everything stabilised.
 
Check the supply power. Try connecting both USB ports.

Initially I had unstable operation with 1 USB connection, especially when supplying 48V to the mic. After I connected the 2nd usb port for additional power, everything stabilised.
Thanks, I haven't even connected anything. But I'll try the second connection for power, maybe it's making the one port unstable, by the power load alone.
 
Nope. Control Center opens up, sound output switches and everything comes to a stop. I am stumped.
 
Nope. Control Center opens up, sound output switches and everything comes to a stop. I am stumped.
Have you tried connecting the E2x2's Power jack to a conventional USB power supply, like a phone charger or power bank?
 
I don't wish to clog up this thread, so if anybody has an idea just send me a pm. I have a focusrite solo, and it was plug and play - go figure.
 
Maybe try with a different laptop or PC.
If symptoms are the same with a different laptop, your unit might be faulty.
 
Maybe try with a different laptop or PC.
If symptoms are the same with a different laptop, your unit might be faulty.
Did more digging around, checked the event log, and found the device not migrated due to partial or ambiguous path.
I suppose the E2x2 OTG is port sensitive, or rather the computers USB bus is, in regard to this device.
There's an update out from Topping, Software v1.12 / Device v1.07 - managed to install that.
Reshuffled my devices on the ports, and did get the E2xE to finally be copacetic.
 
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