Topping DX7s Balanced DAC/Amp Discussions | Drop

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Topping DX7s Balanced DAC/Amp

Audiophile

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Topping DX7s Balanced DAC/Amp

RiflemanFirst

685

Aug 19, 2018

I was strongly considering buying one of these until I saw that the output impedance is so high. Most of my headphones have a 50Ω or lower input impedance and won't pair well with the 10-20Ω output impedance of the DX7s.
I was also looking at the Aune S6, but the amp section on that is limited in power output compared to many competitors.
There's also the Jotunheim, but that lacks DSD support. The search for an all-in-one balanced DAC/amp continues.

Horseknight

179

Aug 19, 2018

RiflemanFirstHi! According to the specs of this DX7s, it can drive up to 300 ohm (unbalanced headphone out) and 600 ohm (balanced headphone out). I bought this one to drive my forthcoming HD-6XX (300 ohm) and Hifiman HE-400i. Other more knowledgeable members here may be able to confirm. Hope this is helpful. Hi from Syracuse, NY.

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Horseknight

179

Aug 19, 2018

RiflemanFirstHi! I now see your point. You are worried about DX7s driving lower ohms headphones, not the higher ohm ones. Got it!

ElectronicVices

2937

Aug 19, 2018

HorseknightWhat @RiflemanFirst is getting at is the fact that a high output impedance can impact the frequency response of a headphone. A general rule of thumb is to have an 8x higher nominal headphone impedance than you have output impedance from your source. This ensures proper electrical dampening (think control of the moving driver) and no frequency response anomalies for those headphones with significant changes in impedance curve over frequency response. Planar magnetic designs typically have a very flat impedance curve so are less impacted by a high output impedance. In the topping's case it will do best with 80+ ohm headphones(SE) and 160+ ohm (balanced). Great DAC, less flexible HP out than some stand alone amps.

RiflemanFirst

685

Aug 19, 2018

ElectronicVicesExactly. The output impedance is too high for lower impedance headphones. The highest impedance headphones I'm using currently is the Sennheiser HD660S (150Ω). Other than that I run the TH-X00 (23Ω) Ebony and HD598 SE (50Ω) on occasion.

Horseknight

179

Aug 19, 2018

ElectronicVicesHi! Thank you for the response. I learn something new today from you. Your conversation here is one of the main reasons why I like to visit this site and meet great MD members with knowledge and information.

xevman

Aug 19, 2018

RiflemanFirstAre your low impedance headphones planars by any chance? They aren't effected by output impedance in terms of frequency response as they are purely resistive.

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RiflemanFirst

685

Aug 19, 2018

xevmanNone of my headphones are planars at this time.

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xevman

Aug 19, 2018

RiflemanFirstWell you are right it's not an ideal pairing. Comparing this unit with my benchmark dac1 side by side with my low impedance Denon d7000 headphones the difference is extremely subtle but it's there. Bass is definately more impactful on the 0 ohm output impedance dac1. Personally I wouldn't let that put you off this unit. It's an awesome feature rich dac. I'd wait until topping releases their A50 0ohm headphone amp and pair it with this

ElectronicVices

2937

Aug 20, 2018

xevmanDon't own this particularly DAC/Amp but I do have both a 10ohm and 120 ohm SE option on my Cayin amp. With the TH-X00 (similar in specs to the D7000) I get like kind frequency response issues when compared to my other amps with sub 2 ohm OI. The bass isn't as impactful, a touch more bloat and the treble region gets a little more disjointed from the rest of the frequencies. Sadly will have to re-terminate to balanced or pickup a TR-X00 to be able to compare the 10 ohm SE and .3 ohm XLR outs on the Cayin.

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