Topping DX1 II Review: Windows Setup, UAC Drivers, EQ and Headphone Amp Caveats

Below is what the review found, what the maker's own documentation adds, and what a Windows user should know before plugging one in.

The verdict in brief​

Lucas rates the DX1 II like this:

• Features: 5/5
• Sound quality: 4/5
• Design: 4.5/5
• Usability and setup: 4/5
• Value: 4.5/5

He praises its detail retrieval, its natural tonal balance and its soundstage. He says it lacks dynamic punch and rolls off the top end slightly. He also finds the front-panel dial unintuitive for anything beyond changing inputs or volume.

These are one reviewer's subjective impressions, not lab measurements. Treat them as informed opinion.

What you get for the money​

According to the review, the DX1 II is built around an ESS ES9039Q2M DAC with a dual-DAC layout, one converter per channel. A 16-core XMOS XU-316 handles USB processing. The review lists support for PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD256.

Other coverage agrees on the core design. HiFi Pig reports the ESS 32-bit DAC is paired with an XMOS XU-316 USB processor. It adds that Topping says the design uses fully balanced analogue circuitry throughout, with four independent amplifier channels for the balanced 4.4mm output.

The connections are:

• Inputs: USB-C and optical.
• Headphone outputs: 3.5 mm single-ended and 4.4 mm balanced.
• Line outputs: stereo RCA and 4.4 mm balanced.
• Digital output: optical.
• Size and weight: 100 × 100 × 32 mm and 275 g.

The Windows angle: UAC modes and drivers​

Most of the practical detail here comes from Topping's FAQ and the wider coverage.

• UAC mode switch. A rear switch toggles USB Audio Class 1.0 and 2.0. Topping's FAQ says to use UAC 2.0 by default and switch to UAC 1.0 for devices that only support it, citing PlayStation. The change only takes effect after you unplug and replug the USB cable.
• Operating systems. HiFi Pig says the dual UAC support allows compatibility with PS5 and Nintendo Switch, alongside Windows, macOS, Android and iOS devices.
• Playback software. Topping's FAQ explains that the unit's display shows the sample rate of the incoming signal and does not change it. If your player can't use exclusive mode, the operating system may resample before the audio reaches the DAC. The display will then show the system's chosen rate, not the file's native rate. The FAQ recommends Foobar on Windows and Audirvana on macOS.
• Driver and recognition problems. The FAQ suggests:
  1. Connect directly to a rear USB port instead of through a hub.
  2. Try a different cable no longer than 1.5 m.
  3. Check the UAC switch.
  4. Reinstall the driver if the problem persists.
• No sound. Check that the knob has the right input selected and the right output chosen. Then confirm the DX1 II is set as the default output device in your player or in Windows.
• Noise on a PC. If the hiss disappears when you power the unit from a 5V DC adapter instead of the computer, the computer is the likely culprit. Topping suggests a USB isolator in that case.

Power, microphone and EQ​

Power. The USB-C port carries both audio data and power. Topping's FAQ is blunt that a weak USB source can leave the unit dead or misbehaving. It also says the DX1 II is designed mainly for computers. Some phones fail to power it, and the maker suggests a Y-split USB cable for those cases.

Microphone. Tom Bedford's TechRadar news piece notes that the two headphone outputs are two-way, so you can use headsets with microphones. That makes the DX1 II interesting for PC gamers and video callers. Topping's FAQ says the headset should follow the CTIA standard. It also says the microphone input sample rate must match the playback rate and tops out at 192 kHz.

Parametric EQ. The review describes a 10-band parametric EQ with independent left and right adjustment. It is edited through the Topping Tune tool and the browser-based Home Web interface. The Ear describes Home Web as a drag-and-drop online control centre that also lets you apply community-shared profiles.

Topping's FAQ also warns about PEQ side effects. If you hear distortion after enabling it, lower the preamp gain until the distortion disappears. Getting that setting wrong is an easy way to blame the hardware for your own tuning.

Headphone power: read the fine print​

The review says the balanced output is rated at 2 × 1000 mW into 32 ohms, "more than enough" for tricky headphones. That figure holds, but it is not universal.

Apos Audio's launch post says the 4.4 mm output delivers up to 1000mW × 2 into both 32Ω and 64Ω loads, and 230mW × 2 into 300Ω. Power falls at higher impedances, so a very hard-to-drive pair of high-impedance headphones will get a fraction of the headline number. These are maker-rated figures, not independent measurements.

Two safety and setup gotchas​

• Optical output volume. Topping's FAQ says optical output is fixed at maximum by default and ignores the volume control. To enable volume adjustment, set the optical output volume mode to OPT U-2 in the setup menu. Turn down whatever is connected downstream first.
• DAC mode for line outputs. Selecting DAC mode (output channel O-2, mode m-d) sends a fixed-level signal to RCA or 4.4 mm line outputs. That is meant for equipment with its own volume control, such as an amp or preamp. Do not use it to feed powered speakers directly unless you want a very loud surprise.

Price and availability​

The review gives pricing of $119, £119 and about AU$169, and says the unit was announced on May 18, 2026.

• Headfonics, in a review dated May 20, 2026, lists the price as $119.00.
• Forbes reported the DX1 II as slated for release in July 2026.
• A separate TechRadar news item from July 20 gives the UK price as £119 and says the unit was slowly rolling out by region. It converts to roughly $160 and AU$240, which doesn't match the review's US and Australian figures.

The £119 UK price is consistent across sources. For US and Australian pricing, check current retailer listings, since conversions and regional pricing differ.

How it compares, and who should buy it​

The review points to the iFi Uno as a cheaper alternative with a more direct, confident sound. Other outlets are warmer about the DX1 II's dynamics. The Ear calls its sound engagingly crisp, detailed and dynamic. That is nearly the opposite of TechRadar's complaint about dynamic headroom. Reviewers disagree, so a return policy is a sensible safety net if you are sensitive to dynamics or treble.

Based on the evidence, the DX1 II suits you if you:

• Use a laptop or desktop with headphones and want a cleaner, more flexible output.
• Want one box for PC, console and a headset microphone.
• Value EQ control and balanced outputs at around $119.

Look elsewhere if you:

• Prioritise punchy dynamics and sparkling treble above all else.
• Dislike menu-driven controls and want a more intuitive front panel.
• Plan to use it mainly with a phone, where the power limitations in Topping's own FAQ matter.

TechRadar's testing used a MacBook Pro, a PlayStation 5 and Sennheiser IE900 in-ear headphones, so there is no Windows-specific listening test behind these impressions. The Windows guidance above comes from Topping's FAQ and general UAC behaviour. Test with your own player and headphones before drawing conclusions.