Topping DX7s Balanced DAC/Amp Discussions | Drop

Free Standard Shipping in the US on orders over $99

Topping DX7s Balanced DAC/Amp

Audiophile

Showing 1 of 259 conversations about:

Topping DX7s Balanced DAC/Amp

RJ-Chicago

Jan 9, 2019

Some impressions:

If you want this unit. This is a great price.
I compared this unit against the SMSL SU-8. Here is the setup I used. Meridian 500 CD transport with coax out to the DX7S and optical to the SU-8. Shunyata Venom RCAs to a Schiit switch. Shunyata Venom RCAs to a THX 789 amp. Granted not using the balanced outs from the DACs for this comparison. I will do so later with the balanced outs. But using the RCAs made it easy to do quick back and forth A-B comparisons. Headphones were Hifiman 560s with balanced connection on the THX 789. Both DACs were set at their default settings.

The bottom line IMO is that the SU-8 is the superior DAC. More of a sense of openness, air and soundstage with the SU-8. I think if space isn’t an issue and you want an all in one unit and you aren’t doing comparisons the DX7S will be great for most people. But I got the SU-8 at a steal of a price. (Not on MD). You combine that with the THX 789 and that is a superior system IMO. The only question is what will the A-B be with the balanced outs. Also how will the SU-8 fare against the SMSL D1 DAC? Your thoughts? Go for it!

ls13coco

Jan 9, 2019

RJ-ChicagoI would be highly interested in hearing your thoughts after using the balance interconnects etc, I've been researching both of these intensively last night and the Topping D50? And now the Dx7s is available. Planning to just use as a dac.

RJ-Chicago

Jan 9, 2019

ls13cocoYes. I’ll compare the balanced outs on A-B though I can’t use the switch for that. As for the DXYS, I think the DAC is better then the amp in that unit. I don’t know if it is just me but I got the SU-8 below $200. So so far the SU-8 is cheaper and better as a DAC than the DXYS. I predict that with Balanced outs the SU-8 will win. But we will see. Meanwhile, the given here, which has already been established in this group is that the THX 789 is a killer amp. I have it on a table next to a Schiit Ragnarok. That would be an interesting comparison!

HIFI778

652

Feb 20, 2019

ls13coco

The DX7s is a full balanced System with a full Balanced DAC. The D50 is not a fully balanced DAC with not XLR balanced output.

(Edited)

whodiini

Mar 3, 2019

RJ-Chicagovery interesting. I did a comparison of the SMSL SU-8 vs DX7S and a went a bit more in depth as to why. Using it straight of the box, thru USB the SU-8 sounded better. But it was a bit candy coated and lacking the smidgen of detail that the DX7s suggested, but the DX7S was a bit harsher, Then I did a test - I ran my usb output from the mac mini into my matrix SPDIF reclocker and then ran the SPDIF coax output into the SU-8 and DX7S. The DX7S clearer up and had the better sound, more detail. The Su-8 also sounded better but not as big an improvement as the DX7S. Example; On sara bareilles uncharted song, there are triangles. You cant hear them on the SU-8 but they are clear on the DX7S thru the matrix reclocker, Finally, to corroborate, I ran USb straight from the mac mini into the DX7S and then ran the SPDIF out from the DX7S into my reference Yggadrasil. It sounded awful. So my conclusion is that the DX7S has a poor USB implementation even though it claims to use the same XMOS as the Su-8. Bottom line is if you use USB out, and dont want a reclocker (e.g. simple box, get the SU-8). For me, I want to occasionally listen to DSD which the Yggadrasil doesnt do, and I already use a reclocker, so I will keep the DX7S. Topping should really fix the USB reclocker on the DX7S, whatever the problem is. The DAC section in the DX7S is really nice.

Vote

RJ-Chicago

Mar 4, 2019

whodiiniGood detailed test. Thanks. I think that anytime you are running USB out of a computer or cell phone one really should use a AQ jitterbug or Schiit Eiter or something to clean up the noise and jitter. As per my initial test above, I always, if possible try to use as DAC imputa coaxial SPDIF first, optical second and USB last. I have since sold the DX7s. I already have a Jotenheim Multibit for all in one needs. I like it a lot. Otherwise, I didn’t want to keep the average DX7s amp around when I have better amps. I also have a small collection of DACs which overall I think are better than the DX7s. I’m not trying to disparage the DX7s and call it a bad unit. For me it’s a matter of good vs better. The DX7s may be a great unit for some folks.

Vote