Marcus critiques the Topping DX9 Discrete, a limited-edition desktop 16-element 1-bit PSRM DAC and 10W-Succesful NFCA headphone amplifier. It’s presently priced at $1299.
Disclaimer: This pattern unit was despatched to me in alternate for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an impartial web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or standing. I thank the workforce at Topping for supporting us.
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This text follows our present scoring tips, which you’ll learn in additional element right here.
Topping DX9 Discrete Assessment
Abstract
The Topping DX9 Discrete desktop DAC/Amp is a worthy successor to the DX9. It retains lots of the authentic’s wonderful capabilities, however replaces the polished, clear tone of its predecessor with a smoother, extra authoritative analog sound signature
Execs
Smoother sound than the unique.
New PC/MAC PEQ system offers extra worth
Wonderful energy dealing with.
Cons
I²S pin change renders Cayin I²S sources incompatible.
New menu system redesign shouldn’t be as intuitive as the unique model.
Final 12 months, Topping launched certainly one of their most formidable built-in DAC and desktop models, the DX9.
This method shocked me in some ways with its snappy, solid-state sound and wonderful flexibility for headphones in addition to conventional HiFi and streaming programs. For the reason that evaluation, it has been on fixed rotation within the workplace, for critiques and private listening.
Nevertheless, Topping has a historical past of launching ‘Discrete’ editions of their solid-state gear, so I’m not shocked in any respect that this 12 months they launched the $1299 DX9 Discrete.
Out goes the delta-sigma DAC from final 12 months’s mannequin, and now we now have a 1-BIT discrete DAC behind a discrete design NFCA module-based amplifier, offering for a smoother sound, mixed with the already present wonderful system matching functionality.
The timing appears proper. Natural-sounding amplifiers have been in vogue for the final 12 months, so why shouldn’t Topping seize a chunk of that profitable pie?
Is the DX9 Discrete an improve over the unique DX9, and the way does its efficiency evaluate to different analog-sounding programs, such because the HIFIMAN Serenade or high quality delta-sigma opponents such because the Ferrum ERCO? I came upon in my full evaluation beneath.
Options
The desktop-designed Topping DX9 Discrete is an built-in balanced DAC, pre-amp, and headphone amplifier with extra wi-fi Bluetooth functionality.
The 1-bit DAC design is a departure from the unique DX9’s traditional limited-run AK4499EQ delta-sigma resolution. This can be a 16 Ingredient PSRM (Precision Stream Reconstruction Matrix) DAC that was first utilized in Topping’s D900 and D90III Discrete DAC designs.
The mix of an ultra-fast switching logic array and a precision voltage reference to course of the sign in phases means Topping doesn’t have to stuff the DX9 Discrete with 1000s of resistors to create a exact 1-bit DAC.
The DX9 Discrete XMOS XU316 and 1-bit DAC chipset helps enter alerts as much as PCM 768kHz/32-bit and native DSD512, while offering comparable ranges on its I²S connection. This drops all the way down to PCM 24-bit/192kHz for coaxial, optical, and 24/96kHz for LDAC Bluetooth wi-fi receiving.
You possibly can join and drive virtually any headphone (or IEM) to the DX9 Discrete with provision for XLR, 4.4mm, and 6.35mm connectivity, all with an output impedance of lower than 0.1Ω.
The six-channel NFCA module amplifier contained in the DX9 Discrete can ship as much as 10W right into a 16Ω load (7080 mW @32Ω) balanced, dropping to three.3W right into a 16Ω load (2120 mW @32Ω) single-ended.
The DX9 Discrete can function as a central part inside a devoted HiFi system with a line-out rated at 5.25Vrms balanced and a pair of.5Vrms single-ended.
It additionally gives a devoted pre-amp output in balanced and unbalanced codecs with as much as 48Vpp in high-gain balanced, dropping all the way down to 24Vpp unbalanced.
Design
Remarkably little of the DX9 Discrete exterior has modified because the DX9 was launched.
Any tweaks are extra nuanced than apparent, with the standouts together with the ‘DX9 Discrete’ labeling on the entrance and the highest Plexiglass circuit design modified to account for the brand new 1-BIT DAC configuration.
For these assessing the DX9 Discrete type issue and aesthetics for the primary time, it’s certainly one of Topping’s bigger desktop models, but it surely’s fairly low-profile, being vast slightly than deep and simply 6cm in top.
Aesthetically, I discover it fairly modern-looking with wonderful legibility from its twin LCD display screen show and quick access to controls courtesy of a giant multi-function quantity dial that connects to the unit’s menu system and the interior hybrid relay-resistor community.
Like the unique, the principle star of the DX9 Discrete aesthetic present is the Plexiglass prime panel and delightful delicate heat orange LED glow beneath when powered on.
It’s not a set energy illumination. If the energy of the lights bothers you, then you’ll be able to alter them within the DX9 Discrete menu settings.
From my expertise of utilizing the DX9 for the final 12 months, the sort of showroom impact calls for being positioned on prime of any headphones part stack for optimum visibility.
Nevertheless, it may possibly turn out to be barely hotter than the aluminum housing round it; thus, I wouldn’t advise placing something delicate on prime for lengthy durations of time throughout use.
I/O
The connectivity choices are unchanged from the DX9 to the DX9 Discrete. Which means a well-organized single row of balanced and single-ended pre and line out choices to the left and your digital enter choices to the fitting, beside a set off management and a SMPS common energy provide.
I’ve at all times thought-about the DX9 to be effectively stocked for digital enter choices. Twin coaxial and optical inputs, USB-B, AES, and I²S cowl all the traditional and fashionable supply choices you’ll be able to consider, to not point out the connector for the BT antennae, which permits the DX9 Discrete to hook up with any supply wirelessly.
The one caveat for DX9 house owners is the change within the I²S pin configuration for the DX9 Discrete. I imagine one much less pin is getting used on this configuration. It may not appear a lot, but it surely renders all my Cayin supply I²S elements incompatible with the DX9 Discrete.
I can see my sources feeding the DX9 Discrete a sign, I can see the unit managing the proper pattern charges, however there isn’t any analog audio output when utilizing the Cayin N7, N8ii, and the Cayin Mini-CD MKII.
That could be a disgrace, because it was certainly one of my massive joys when utilizing the unique DX9, and I choose its efficiency over USB. Coaxial comes a detailed second greatest, relying on the output supply.
Controls
You possibly can management the DX9 Discrete in numerous methods. There’s a multifunction dial which, when utilized in mixture with the Energy/SEL button to the far left, provides you direct guide management over the unit’s options and setting menu navigation.
In case you are sitting far-off from the Dx9 Discrete, for instance, a HiFi setup, then Topping offers a distant management comprised of CNC-machined and sandblasted aluminum.
This is likely one of the higher distant controls on the market. It’s well-built, sturdy, and durable with a well-spaced-out button configuration.
This distant management doesn’t include a CR2032 battery. Chinese language export rules for air cargo are strict for batteries, however the price of shopping for one is grime low cost.
Software program Integration
The menu system has modified from the unique DX9 structure. I’ve some professionals and cons with the brand new structure.
For one, the extent of granular management as to what you’ll be able to see or shortly choose has a lot improved. You possibly can omit sure inputs or outputs from the multifunction dial round-robin push-button sequence so you don’t unintentionally change to lineout from pre-out, and so on.
The second is the addition of onboard 5 DSP and a pair of Crossfeed choices that weren’t current when the DX9 was launched.
And eventually, the broader integration of Topping Tuned, the corporate’s PEQ software program, permits you to tweak the USB tuning from the consolation of your PC or MAC to fit your headphones’ response curve.
The primary con is simply how overwhelming the UI is now with these extra choices. You’ll want to spend time going by the whole lot to ensure it’s set as much as your liking. Some ideas, akin to “ALL” for inputs and outputs, might sound intuitive however don’t produce anticipated outcomes.
Packaging & Equipment
The packaging for the DX9 Discrete is unchanged from the DX9, which is an effective factor as a result of I believed it was distinctive for a headphone amplifier.
Most desktop amps are brown bins or printed sleeves with white bins and a reasonably useful internal packaging structure for optimum security throughout delivery.
Topping does it barely in a different way, although on no account much less protected. The retail field has a cultured printed outer sleeve and an internal tray lined with a silky overlay, virtually as if Topping was presenting this amplifier to you in a ‘regal’ method.
It seems minimalistic, clear, and fashionable. All of the equipment are tucked beneath to keep away from a messy look, although for some purpose, the ability plug is available in a separate field outdoors the principle packaging.
As with the unique, the DX9 Discrete equipment embrace a USB-B to USB-A cable, the distant management, a further 6.35mm-to-3.5 mm converter, and the screw-on Bluetooth antenna.
Click on on web page 2 beneath for my sound impressions and advisable pairings.
