Review and Measurements of Topping DX7s DAC and Headphone Amp

[amirm]

But why?

Members asked for it and sent me a couple of test in there. No, I don't remember the part numbers.

 

[andreasmaaan]

Members asked for it and sent me a couple of test in there. No, I don't remember the part numbers.

Fair enough Just can’t see what audible improvements could be gained..

 

[maxxevv]

I guess its more of what and how audio performance readings are affected by these chips and what are the plausible correlations to the perceived sound changes these chips make.

At least that's my question when I do opamp rolling.

 

[Wombat]

I guess its more of what and how audio performance readings are affected by these chips and what are the plausible correlations to the perceived sound changes these chips make.

At least that's my question when I do opamp rolling.

Unless the circuit is optimised for the swapped-in op-amp all you are doing is an exercise in uncharted tone variation rather than considered improvement.

Tinkering could be seen as a form of gambling. Occasional wins only give encouragement for more.

Trial-and-error variation to a Zobel network could be worth trying re bass performance wrt particular 'phones.

 

[amirm]

Fair enough Just can’t see what audible improvements could be gained..

Well, part of our mission is to put data behind everything. In this area, i.e. op-amp rolling, there is next to no measurements. So putting some on the table should be educational.

 

[maxxevv]

Unless the circuit is optimised for the swapped-in op-amp all you are doing is an exercise in uncharted tone variation rather than considered improvement.

Tinkering could be seen as a form of gambling. Occasional wins only give encouragement for more.

Variation to a Zobel network could be worth trying re bass performance wrt particular 'phones.

Isn't it analogous to buying a new set of amps / speakers / headphones / phono cartridge and other audio related equipment plugged into an existing setup "hoping" that the resultant altered output will be to one's liking ?

But in this case, more of tuning of the sound signature based on one's best understanding of circuitry compatibility with different op-amps and testing if its to ones liking for sound output?

If that's not part of the "audio experimentation" then why bother with buying "quality" components to begin with ?

And as Amir has said rightly, there really is next to almost no measured results from opamp rolling, it will be useful/ educational information in any case.

 

[Wombat]

I b

Isn't it analogous to buying a new set of amps / speakers / headphones / phono cartridge and other audio related equipment plugged into an existing setup "hoping" that the resultant altered output will be to one's liking ?

But in this case, more of tuning of the sound signature based on one's best understanding of circuitry compatibility with different op-amps and testing if its to ones liking for sound output?

If that's not part of the "audio experimentation" then why bother with buying "quality" components to begin with ?

And as Amir has said rightly, there really is next to almost no measured results from opamp rolling, it will be useful/ educational information in any case.

I buy well designed transparent equipment(nowhere near hi-end) that has standard matching parameters and don't feel I need to gazump the designers. I don't buy stuff that has to be modified. If that is what others do that is fine by me - their time and money.
The unsubstantiated claims that appear on forums as recommendations for others with their myriad assortment of systems is the problem.

Now, when I was building tube guitar amps I tried tube swapping( this topic is just as rife on guitar forums as on tube audio forums). After adjusting plate voltage and bias to the specified values their wasn't much noticeable difference. Nailing the right operating point to get 'the sound' was the aim. Musicians can get very anal about subtle differences in tone but the audience won't notice.


Group behaviour. Mods:

 

[Krunok]

Fair enough Just can’t see what audible improvements could be gained..

None. But it would be interesting to see if and how the measurements will change.

 

[oliveoilthansnakeoil]

I got dx7.
Could someone tell me how to get proper voltage setting? I read a manual but it makes me confused.

https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1RnuaXIyYBuNkSnfoq6AWgVXav.jpg

If I want 230V, which photo is correct? left or right?

 

[Toku]

I got dx7.
Could someone tell me how to get proper voltage setting? I read a manual but it makes me confused.

https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1RnuaXIyYBuNkSnfoq6AWgVXav.jpg

If I want 230V, which photo is correct? left or right?

It is the side which can see the display of 230V. (left)

 

[Krunok]

I got dx7.
Could someone tell me how to get proper voltage setting? I read a manual but it makes me confused.

https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1RnuaXIyYBuNkSnfoq6AWgVXav.jpg

If I want 230V, which photo is correct? left or right?

Where did you buy DX7?

 

[oliveoilthansnakeoil]

It is the side which can see the display of 230V. (left)

Thank you!. It works well.

Where did you buy DX7?

I bouht it on ebay.

 

[Krunok]

Thank you!. It works well.

I bouht it on ebay.

Can you please post a link?

 

[oliveoilthansnakeoil]

Can you please post a link?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Topping-DX...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

Maybe they sold last stock.

 

[Krunok]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Topping-DX7-Headphone-Amplifier-32BIT-384KHz-DSD-USB-Full-Balanced-DAC-Silver/173460054169?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

Maybe they sold last stock.

Probably. Thank you anyway.

 

[alpha]

Some more questions about DX7s from a new member:
1. Before and after firmware upgrade (18G) the tool shows firmware version v6.F2. Is it ok? My serial is starting with 1804.
2. Do you think if DX7s had any MQA capability? Pro-ject S2 Digital has it with a very similar HW.
3. Do you know why DSD playing has a problem above version 0.8.4 of the plugin foo_inpust_sacd in foobar? 0.8.4 and below versions are working.
Thanks in advance, I really enjoy the discussion here . Keep up the good job.

 

[Veri]

MQA has not only to do with HW but also with license costs. MQA is effectively a DRM for music...

 

[n2it]

Some more questions about DX7s from a new member:
3. Do you know why DSD playing has a problem above version 0.8.4 of the plugin foo_inpust_sacd in foobar? 0.8.4 and below versions are working.

I have Foobar2000 working with DSD. I use foo_input_sacd 1.0.10. (I am also using the associated DSDTranscoder). What problems did you have with the newer foo_input_sacd? Also are you using DSDTranscoder? (DSDTranscoder is a pass through ASIO driver that converts DoP to native DSD).

I have not used the 0.8.4 version of foo_input_sacd - but if you have it working, is there some reason to upgrade to a later version? It looks like it does the same things, but it a different way (different UI and different components)

 

[alpha]

I have Foobar2000 working with DSD. I use foo_input_sacd 1.0.10. (I am also using the associated DSDTranscoder). What problems did you have with the newer foo_input_sacd? Also are you using DSDTranscoder? (DSDTranscoder is a pass through ASIO driver that converts DoP to native DSD).

I have not used the 0.8.4 version of foo_input_sacd - but if you have it working, is there some reason to upgrade to a later version? It looks like it does the same things, but it a different way (different UI and different components)

In case of DSD512 I get the following error message in a foobar:

Unrecoverable playback error: Sample rate of 1411200 Hz not supported by this device

With earlier versions of foo_input_sacd it is also working. Topping also includes an early foo_input_sacd version in their windows driver package.
BTW, did you see any free DSD512 music sample to test?

 

[Pillars]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Topping-DX7-Headphone-Amplifier-32BIT-384KHz-DSD-USB-Full-Balanced-DAC-Silver/173460054169?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

Maybe they sold last stock.

Hah that's funny, I saw that listing but I thought the price was a bit high. I took a gamble on the DX7S that 'wouldn't turn on' for a little above $100. Looked brand new but when I opened it up it was missing a cap and had one broken off rattling around. Also the voltage switch was set incorrectly. Ordered a replacement cap from Amazon and after quick use of my iron the DX7S is up and running like a champ. Sounds awesome hooked into my Liquid Carbon X -> HE560.