Topping DX9 Thread

[Redwingnine]

Been looking for a new desktop DAC/AMP combination the provides excellent performance at a reasonable price (by audiophile standards
After conducting a fair amount of research, decided to try the Topping DX9. To say I was plesantly surprised was an understatement. The sound from this is indeed excellent.. The unit is loaded with features, very configurable. Looks good as well.

As a DAC/AMP setup, the sound is very good. This unit has plenty of power available, and can drive pretty much any headphone. The performance specs are first rate. The following link provides a detailed review of the unit's function, features, and sound impressions:

https://soundnews.net/reviews/sourc...eview-unleashing-15-years-of-sonic-expertise/

Where this unit really shines is when used as a stand alone DAC. It easily competes with other DACs costing more. Connected to a high end stand alone headphone amp, this DAC will provide outstanding sound. The distortion/noise is virtually non existant.

It is so good, it made me re-think the whole DAC evaluation logic.

 

[Redwingnine]

Learned my first lesson with the DX 9. The built in headphone amp sounds very good, better than I first thought. What I discovered was that the majority of headphones sound better when the gain of the DX 9 is set to low. I mistakenly thought that the high gain would be better, but unless the headphones are something along the lines of Survasa, the more appropriate selection is to set the gain to low. When it was set to high, the louder passasges tended to sound congested. Not the case with the low setting.

 

[pichu]

Learned my first lesson with the DX 9. The built in headphone amp sounds very good, better than I first thought. What I discovered was that the majority of headphones sound better when the gain of the DX 9 is set to low. I mistakenly thought that the high gain would be better, but unless the headphones are something along the lines of Survasa, the more appropriate selection is to set the gain to low. When it was set to high, the louder passasges tended to sound congested. Not the case with the low setting.

using low gain is always the move because the noise floor will be lower (better signal to noise ratio), you'll have more control of the volume knob, etc.

only use high gain if you have difficult to drive headphones or your audio source has low output voltage which is definitely not common.

 

[Redwingnine]

using low gain is always the move because the noise floor will be lower (better signal to noise ratio), you'll have more control of the volume knob, etc.

only use high gain if you have difficult to drive headphones or your audio source has low output voltage which is definitely not common.

Sage advice.

 

[Redwingnine]

The more I listen to this as a DAC, the more I'm convinced that the difference between modern DACs is very little, if any. The AKM 4499 EQ is an outstanding sounding DAC, and makes one question the need to spend big $$$ on one.

Found this review on the internet, and I have to admit, his logic is sound.



As a DAC/AMP setup, it still quite good. I had a RME ADI-2 in the past, and this sounds MUCH better as a DAC/AMP combination.

 

[Charade19]

I mostly use my Topping DX9 in DAC mode paired with the Auris HA-2 SE+ (as a matter of fact, using this combination while typing this). The AKM chip in the DX9 is outstanding.

 

[Redwingnine]

I mostly use my Topping DX9 in DAC mode paired with the Auris HA-2 SE+ (as a matter of fact, using this combination while typing this). The AKM chip in the DX9 is outstanding.

Agreed. I use it as a DAC with either a Schiit Mjolnor 3 or a Aurouasound HEADA headphone amp. I think the DX 9 sounds as good as any high end DAC, at a reasonable price point.

 

[TexasBuck]

I recently acquired a DX9. Tried my HiFiman HE6 SE's and they sounded really good. Tried my Sennheiser HD 800S and WOW!!! I'm having issues getting my computer to recognize the I2S connection. Tried updating the drivers and changing some settings but no luck. USB sounds great though.

 

[knobgobbler]

I'm not sure if I2S from PC to a DAC is supposed to work, but I might be completely wrong here. USB is the way to go here AFAIK.
You could put a DDC with I2S output between your PC and the DAC if you want I2S input on your DAC though.
That would mean PC > USB > DDC > I2S > DAC.

 

[Redwingnine]

I recently acquired a DX9. Tried my HiFiman HE6 SE's and they sounded really good. Tried my Sennheiser HD 800S and WOW!!! I'm having issues getting my computer to recognize the I2S connection. Tried updating the drivers and changing some settings but no luck. USB sounds great though.

FWIW, Golden Sound has posted videos regarding USB vs. I2S. According to his measurements, USB should always be the preferred interface over I2S. He states that USB has the best performance (lowest noise/jitter).