Topping DX1 II Review: The $160 "Pocket Desktop" DAC/Amp Disrupting the Portable Market
, by FastHifi, 6 min reading time
The TOPPING DX1 II redefines portable desktop audio. Sized like a power bank and weighing just 275g, this all-in-one DAC and headphone amp can replace both portable dongles and traditional desktop players. Equipped with the ESS ES9039Q2M chip and complete ports including USB-C, optical, RCA, 3.5mm and 4.4mm jacks, it even supports gaming headsets. It delivers remarkable sound dynamics and a wide soundstage, driving various earphones and over-ear headphones easily. It is a great budget pick for audiophiles for daily use and travel.
The boundaries between desktop Hi-Fi and portable audio are officially dissolving. In the past, audiophiles had to make a strict compromise: premium desktop soundscapes required an oversized, tethered desktop stack, while traveling meant settling for slim, battery-starved USB dongles.
When Topping announced the DX1 II—a desktop DAC/Amp barely larger than a standard power bank—I immediately saw the potential. Priced at just $160, this tiny device promised to bridge the gap between desktop performance and ultimate portability.
To see if it could truly deliver, I borrowed a matte-black unit right before an extended cross-country vacation. It ended up single-handedly replacing my usual travel audio stack.
Redefining the Travel Audio Stack
On long trips, I traditionally pack two separate source devices: a beefy desktop unit (like the Topping DX5 II) for the hotel room, and a standard USB dongle for flights and train rides. The DX1 II rendered both obsolete.
Measuring just 10cm × 10cm × 3.2cm and weighing a mere 275g, the DX1 II is incredibly compact. Its entire retail box takes up less space than a standard desktop unit. I slipped it and my laptop straight into my carry-on backpack without an extra flight-case or power bricks. Because it runs directly on USB bus power, setting it up on an airplane tray-table or a coffee shop counter is as simple as plugging in a single Type-C cable.
Throughout my trip—from hotel rooms to airport lounges and highway rest stops—the DX1 II was heavily utilized and completely hassle-free.
Robust Build and Premium Connectivity
Despite its budget-friendly price tag, the DX1 II inherits Topping’s signature premium machining. It feels rugged, with smooth metal edges and precise tolerances that won't scratch other gear inside a packed backpack. While the black version offers a stealthy, low-profile look, Topping also offers silver and white alternatives.
In terms of functionality, the DX1 II is a massive departure from its predecessor. The back panel features a Type-C USB port utilizing a toggle switch for UAC 2.0 / UAC 1.0 compatibility. This allows instant plug-and-play functionality across laptops, desktops, and gaming consoles (though it won't run directly off standard smartphones due to their power output limitations).
Beyond USB, it includes:
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SPDIF Optical Input/Output: Ideal for connecting external dedicated DACs or streamers.
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RCA Line Out: Perfect for integrating the device as a pure DAC into an independent desktop amplifier system.
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3.5mm Single-Ended & 4.4mm Balanced Outputs: Feeds both high-end IEMs and full-sized headphones natively without clunky adapters.
The Gamer's Bonus: The 3.5mm port utilizes a TRRS interface providing a 2.5V bias voltage to support headsets with built-in microphones. For audiophiles who double as gamers, or remote professionals needing to jump onto a Zoom call mid-travel, this eliminates the historic frustration of Hi-Fi gear ignoring voice communication.
Interface & Everyday Usability
Topping didn't cut corners on user interaction. The compact LED display packs vital real-time information:
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The left side displays the LO (Line Out) and PO (Phone Out) status (both can output simultaneously).
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The right side displays active EQ profiles.
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The center displays master volume and briefly reveals the current sampling rate during track transitions.
The multi-functional volume knob handles nearly all on-device adjustments flawlessly. To topping it off, the unit ships with a full-featured infrared remote control, transforming this tiny box into a highly capable preamp hub for a larger stereo speaker system.
Sound Performance: Desktop Authority in a Pocket Form Factor
The real justification for packing the DX1 II over a high-end USB dongle comes down to pure acoustic performance. Built around the ESS ES9039Q2M DAC chip and a robust four-channel amplifier circuit, the DX1 II delivers a true desktop-level scale of sound.
"The DX1 II injects an authoritative sense of energy into orchestral concertos. As a track swells emotionally, the presentation becomes brilliantly dynamic and vividly cinematic. Backed by an expansive soundstage, it commands complex musical frameworks with a level of ease that rivals desktop gear a tier above."
Compared to premium USB dongles—which often present complex orchestral pieces with a flat, compressed soundstage—the DX1 II offers incredible sonic density and dynamic slam. Every musical layer feels distinctly chiseled, organic, and beautifully holographic.
Sonic Profile Across Genres:
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The Low End: The bass is punchy, tightly textured, and highly articulate. It anchors modern pop, electronic music, and rock rhythms with visceral energy.
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The Midrange: Vocals are silky and clear, prioritizing emotional delivery without harshness.
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Male Vocals: Gritty, deep baritones like Leonard Cohen or Eric Clapton feel incredibly resonant and texturally rich.
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Female Vocals: Soulful, intimate tracks from artists like Norah Jones sound stunningly organic and lush. However, for ultra-airy, ethereal vocals like Enya or Billie Eilish, the presentation leans slightly more grounded and intimate rather than purely "angelic."
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Pairing and Gear Synergy
With a maximum output of 1000mW × 2, the DX1 II drives everything from ultra-sensitive monitors to demanding open-back headphones with absolute poise.
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With Balanced IEMs (e.g., Topping Hane / Shanling Regal): The pairing is exceptionally transparent. Even with hyper-efficient monitors, the noise floor remains dead silent—free of any audible background hiss. It preserves the native micro-details and brilliant treble extensions effortlessly.
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With High-Impedance Reference Headphones (e.g., Sennheiser HD 660 S): The HD 660 S traditionally demands high voltage to wake up its mid-bass drivers. Driven by the DX1 II, the classic Sennheiser scales up beautifully, presenting a wide, highly organized soundstage and a lush, authoritative lower-midrange that makes cello concertos and classic rock an absolute joy to listen to.
The Final Verdict
The Topping DX1 II feels like a sledgehammer to the portable audio market. By offering authentic, desktop-tier dynamics, comprehensive connectivity, and robust build quality in a footprint that mirrors a mobile phone, it delivers a massive price-to-performance ratio.
If you are looking for a compact desktop anchor that can instantly transition into your favorite travel companion, the Topping DX1 II is the easiest $160 recommendation you can make.