Topping DX1 II Review: The $160 "Pocket Desktop" DAC/Amp Disrupting the Portable Market
, by Kai @ EMiUZEK Team, 5 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
On long trips, I traditionally pack two separate source devices: a beefy desktop unit 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 and runs directly on USB bus power—setup is a single Type-C cable on a tray table or coffee counter. The same "small box, desktop sound" idea shows up in the in-stock FiiO K11 R2R and Fosi K7, but those are desk-first units; the DX1 II is the one you would actually toss in a carry-on.
Build & Connectivity
Despite its budget price, the DX1 II inherits Topping's premium machining—rugged metal, smooth edges, precise tolerances. The back panel carries a Type-C USB with a UAC 2.0/1.0 toggle (instant plug-and-play across laptop, desktop, and console), SPDIF optical in/out, RCA line-out, and both a 3.5mm jack (with a 2.5V mic bias for gaming headsets) and a 4.4mm balanced jack. Against the in-stock alternatives, the trade-offs are clear: the Fosi K7 adds Qualcomm Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD for cable-free listening plus a bass/treble tone knob, while the FiiO K11 R2R adds coaxial input and an RCA line-out that lets it double as a preamp. The DX1 II's edge is its gaming-headset mic support and true pocketability—neither rival travels as easily.
Sound: What the DX1 II Does Well
Built around the ESS ES9039Q2M DAC and a four-channel amp, the DX1 II delivers genuine desktop-scale dynamics. As a track swells, the presentation becomes brilliantly dynamic and cinematic, with an expansive soundstage that rivals gear a tier above. Against premium USB dongles—which often compress orchestral pieces—the DX1 II offers real sonic density and dynamic slam, every layer chiseled and holographic.
The flip side of a delta-sigma chip is that it sounds accurate and analytical rather than characterful. If you want a more musical presentation, the FiiO K11 R2R is built around a self-developed R2R resistor-ladder DAC with NOS/OS modes for a warmer, more organic timbre. If you want lab-clean measurements plus wireless, the Fosi K7 (AKM AK4493SEQ, SNR 121dB, THD+N <0.0002%) is the pick.
Sonic Profile Across Genres
The Low End: punchy, tightly textured, and highly articulate—anchors pop, electronic, and rock rhythms with visceral energy.
The Midrange: silky, clear vocals. Gritty baritones like Leonard Cohen or Eric Clapton feel resonant and texturally rich; intimate female vocals like Norah Jones sound lush. Ultra-airy voices (Enya, Billie Eilish) lean grounded and intimate rather than purely ethereal.
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 poise.
With the Sennheiser HD 660 S—which traditionally needs high voltage to wake its mid-bass—the DX1 II scales up beautifully, presenting a wide, organized soundstage and a lush, authoritative lower-midrange that makes cello concertos and classic rock a joy.
Topping DX1 II vs FiiO K11 R2R vs Fosi K7
| Specification | Topping DX1 II | FiiO K11 R2R | Fosi K7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical price | ~$160 | ~$175.99 | ~$199.9 |
| DAC architecture | ESS ES9039Q2M (delta-sigma) | FiiO R2R ladder (NOS/OS modes) | AKM AK4493SEQ (delta-sigma) |
| Balanced output | 4.4mm, 1000mW × 2 @ 32Ω | 4.4mm, 1300mW @ 32Ω | 4.4mm, 2100mW @ 32Ω |
| Bluetooth | No | No | Yes — aptX HD (5.0) |
| Tone / EQ | Parametric EQ (PEQ) | NOS / OS modes (no PEQ) | Bass / treble knobs |
| THD+N (published) | <0.00007% (line-out) | ~0.025% | <0.0002% |
| Sonic character | Dynamic, analytical | Warm, musical, analog (NOS) | Clean, neutral |
| Best for | Pocketable desktop + gaming | R2R warmth seekers | Accuracy + wireless |
Which Should You Buy?
The DX1 II remains a standout for pocketable desktop sound with gaming-headset support. If you are comparing it against the in-stock FiiO K11 R2R and Fosi K7: choose the K11 R2R for R2R warmth and character, the K7 for neutral accuracy, more headroom, and Bluetooth, and the Fosi K5 Pro (~$75) if budget is the priority.
Comments
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As a 660s owner I’d love to know your current favorite amp/dac for it. I am trialing a range of prices… k13 r2r, luxin x8, a smsl cheaper thing, the failure problem of the dx5 ii scare me. Going to try some random company kaiboer too.