The only time that I heard tube/valve sound from the DX7 Pro+ was when the amp being used was the Tor Audio Roger. The tubes from the Roger influenced the sound, activating the filters on the DX7 Pro+ DID NOT impact the sound at all.
I mean, Topping's purpose has always been to create the most linear amplifiers and dacs in the world, practically "one wire with gain", so I think this amplifier does an excellent job.
Fantastic review lol. I ordered one and then realised the boringness. Currently returning it for a Burson. I’m really hoping all the reviews were honest and not jaded because Burson likes loaning them things.
@@TheHonestAudiophile likely be grabbing the Conductor 3P or the playmate 2 if it’s not in stock. Pretty sure my impressions will be high after listening to my Aeon Noire’s through my MacBook for the last two months!
Topping is well known for measurement freaks and I don't really like that. However, I also got a set of topping the E50 & L50 just because they add more bass frequency to the headphone that I am currently using. Unfortunately in my country, we can only get chinese products. American products such as Schiit is nowhere to be seen. I also agree that after listening with E50 & L50 as my DAC & amplifier, I find them boring. I just got bored so quickly. They are not exciting at all. My best experience was with Grado SR325X paired with Cayin RU6, they were such an amazing pairing. They sound old school, analog and very exciting to me. When I was using that set I enjoyed music everyday. Now I use Austrian Audio Hi-X65 and the topping pair I just mentioned. I sold off the Grado and Cayin because I was very impressed with the clarity of the Austrian Audio and topping pair. But my excitement over the clarity and resolution was short lived. Well at least I learned from my experience. Austrian Audio Hi-X65 is a very great headphone, it is a professional studio headphone so it follows the sound signature of the amp, DAC and the mixing in the music from my experience with it in these several months. So I think I could get it to sound exciting with a proper amp or DAC. Do you have a recommendation for an amp and DAC that is musical but still can give that boost in the bass and sub-bass region that the Hi-65X need? I think Schiit Asgard or Jotunheim will do the job pretty well. At this point I am willing to import some amp and DAC from the States or Europe.
I will check out the Austrian Audio X60 and X65 for review. Thank you for the suggestions. As for DAC/Amp pairing. The Schiit Audio gear is a good place to start for sure. BiFrost 2 would be a good DAC pairing. I haven't heard the Asgard and Jotunheim since an audio show about 3 years ago so my memory isn't good with those. You also might check out iFi Audio signature line of products as well.
@@TheHonestAudiophile Thank you for the answer.) I know that the RME ADI-2 DOC has an insanely many settings, but does it really sound better than the Sony TA-ZH1ES? Why once this Sony was very much praised in magazines, and cost Sony more than the RME ADI-2 DAC? I'm at a loss... (I have Sony CDP-XA50ES, Sony TC-KA3ES, Sony MDS-JA50ES, and I really like their melodious crystal sound through the acoustics of Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v5) ... But, unfortunately, I don't have the opportunity to listen to a new device before buying it... I would really like the sound of the new device to be at least as good ... I really hope for your advice.) Thank you!
@@TheHonestAudiophile No problem.)) Thank you for the answer. Do you mind if I ask around?) You just have a lot of experience (unlike me).) 1. Have you ever heard RME ADI-2 DAC? Is it really very good in sound compared to Chinese DACs for the same money? 2. Since you, like me, are not a young person, you may have listened to serious CD players of the 90s. For example, the same Sony CDP-XA50ES or something of the same level. Do you think modern DACs on audio in 44/16 sound no less worthy? And which of them, besides the RME ADI-2 DAC, would you recommend? I really hope for your advice.) Thank you!
@user-lb8ju2pf9b I encourage you to ask around, the more opinion the better knowledge obtained for a purchase. Yes I've heard the RME ADI-2 several times, never in my personal office but at audio shows. The RME is a solid performer and in my opinion beats out most from SMSL and Topping in regards to tonality. Many years ago I heard some cd players but I honestly don't recall enough to compare to modern gear without having in house to compare. Back then my listening levels and audio interests weren't as they are now.
Have you auditioned either the Aune X8 XVIII (18th Anniversary) or the Topping E70 Velvet? Oh, and I echo the sentiment of others here that cherish honest opinions and viewpoints instead of doing what the manufacturer wants you to do.
@@TheHonestAudiophile IYO, in the group: Aune, SMSL, Topping, from most to least, which brands are least/most reliable in terms of quality control... Again, thanks :-)
There are multiple pieces that go into reproducing accurate, natural, neutral sound. You need the DAC, amp and headphone or IEM to all be replicating accuracy. If one or more of them are colored in an unnatural way it will throw off the reproduction. And that includes dynamics and energy that the DX7 Pro+ lacks and it throws off the natural and accurate reproduction. Thank you for the comment.
@@dontron810 I seek a natural, neutral sound with accurate reproduction of instruments and vocals according to real life, every day experience. www.thehonestaudiophile.com/post/the-honest-audiophile-s-terms-and-definitions-guide
Exactly my thoughts! The digital recording must be reproduced without distortion or embellishment. If the DAC adds "naturalness", "musicality", then this is not a real recording and not natural. For a pleasant or musical sound, you need to choose headphones
can you suggest three budget'ish dac/amps for headphones (hd 490 pro) for the best resolution ( like being very clear and able to produce allot if sounds at once without them getting lost) sorry I'm new to all this stuff 😆 edit: right now I have smsl c200 and I'm waiting for the hd 490 pro headphones, its mainly fir gaming
Here's a link to my ranking grade list. Please read the ranking grade tab first as I grade different than everyone else. docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nRHnsP_4vLg9DlD9kwJ6gQuEQFqhTR0lnrkxXo3AMG8/edit?usp=drivesdk
@@TheHonestAudiophile thanks, seems like if i want to hear a difference in soundstage and resolution the. i would have to pay quite allot more then what i paid for smsl c200 which i got it at discount for 131£ 🙂
I feel like topping and smsl just chase numbers now, by releasing too many variations of products with incremental number increases just to look good for measurements with the odd extra feature every now and then. They don't really focus musical quality, essentially if one you heard them all.
I highly suspect it's the analog stage op amps they are using that gives clean measurements but lifeless sound , I have been opamp rolling on my diy electronic crossover and i find that the OPA1612 sounds lifeless, boring lacks ultimate transparency and HF energy , If that's OP amp they use in this dac I wouldn't wonder why. I wish they release models with replaceable opamps.
I wish I found you before buying old DX7 Pro Mr. @TheHonestAudiophile. Thanks for honesty, I completely agree with you the old one is boring too + has terrible distortion, my PC Sound Blaster card has less distortion then the old one. I felt like scammed after spending around 600$ :(
Then why are there so many different ones? DAC sound different and I hear it. The implementation of all the internal components and outputs make them sound different. If they all sounded the same then there would be no need for all the different models.
Hi Dave, have you ever tested the DX3 Pro + before? I own a DX3 and I got worried after your DX7 review, because the DX3 is the most expensive DAC I have, and I’m afraid I’m creating my audiophile experience with some boring DAC as well. Do you recommend some other good DAC at 200 USD price tag? Thanks in advance, and congratulations for the amazing and honest review.
Sorry I haven't heard the DX3 Pro+. I recommend the Geshelli Labs J2 and the Aune X1s GT, I know that they are a tad over your budget but they are good for the price.
I have a DX3 pro+ and love it as a dac. I also have an older version Sabaj A20d which is more than double the RRP. It has the same ES 9038 pro chip that the DX7 pro+ has. Maybe the dullness of the sound is due to the dac chip, because I experienced the same with Sabaj. The DX3 pro+ sounded more alive, transparent and natural to me.
@@jari121 @Marcelo Dosec It isn't the DAC chip as my reference DAC the Mytek Liberty DAC II also has the ESS ES9038 chip and isn't dull and boring. What causes that is the tuning and implementation that Topping is doing, they remove all the distortion and dynamics so they can get the best of the best measurements and apparently don't use their ears to listen to and compare to real life.
if you look for a device that changes the music you throw into it, then this is not the device for you.... Topping is famous for transparent, clear and efficient transfer of digital information into sound, without any changes, then it's up to you to introduce tube flavour, colours or whatever you need... the filters are just useless, exactly like the SMSL ones.. this is true - but in the end it's just tastes, so I'm sorry you don't like it, I personally love Topping and have 6 devices from them.. also SMSL, XDuoo and others..
@Emanuele Passerini Glad you enjoy your Topping gear. I don't seek gear that changes the source music that is used; I seek gear that reproduces gear accurately and correctly in a neutral, natural way, not a sterile, clinical and undynamic way. Natural - Realism; reproduced sound that matches every day, real life audio; see sterile. Neutral - Reproduced sound that is free of coloration that is not natural; see natural; see uncolored. Sterile - Reproduced sound that is presented in a tidy, clean, transparent manner but lacks natural reproduction; see clinical; see natural. Clinical - Pristine clean and clear but uninvolving to the maximum; see sterile. In my personal experience with Topping, they focus too much on the measurements and end up removing the elements within the frequencies that produce naturalism and dynamic slam. When I first started out with a desktop setup, my DAC and amp were an original v1 D30 and A30. I have heard a lot of Topping gear and none has stuck around because of one thing, they don't sound natural, neutral and accurate to my ears. The filters on the DX7 Pro Plus was a complaint about them not working but being included and touted as part of the product highlghts. My complaint isn't that they alter the sound but that they are included and don't do what they are supposed to do. On a side note, if a DAC lacks naturalism (DX7 Pro Plus) and it is paired with a neutral, natural amplifier (GS-X Mini) it will sound boring and lacking naturalism. DAC alter sound rather significantly in my humble opinion.
@@TheHonestAudiophile Thanks for your detailed reply, very appreciated. I see what you mean but I prefer to keep the source as neutral (=sterile in your definition, more or less) as possible and to "color" the sound at the end of the chain with a different pair of IEMs or headphones, where I can really hear their different character. Topping has always given to me this and I'm very happy. I understand of course this might not be the same for others. I had an Aune DAC/amp in the past, I have an SMSL good amp, a couple of XDuoo stuff... nothing, the Topping is the best performing to me (into my ears I mean, not on paper) and makes my Arya / DT1990 Pro / 660S / Sundara headphones or several different IEMs really shine. All the best :)
@@TheHonestAudiophile by the way, the filters are crap, I agree :)) but it's a common stuff in these Chinese brands, SMSL does the same, filters with no basic difference in sound !
The author of the video must admit that a pure digital recording cannot sound musical and lively. Or the recordings are bad, but the headphones and DAC are accurate.
Yet another example of a company touting the uniqueness of its product and over charging the consumer. I love your righteous anger and frustration over a product that doesn't do what it advertise to do, especially when the company promoting it openly admits to its failures. Thank you for your honest and for being someone who cares about the consumer 👍☺️👍
@the Honest Audiophile - Thanks for this video, you have saved me a lot of time and money! Let me explain! Firstly I don't come close your exeprtise or knowledge all I have is an Apogee Duet 2 and Adams A7X Monitors. The Duet 2 connects to the PC though its USB and has jack outputs adaptors. I use TSR to XLR balanced cables to the speakers and its been great in Linux and Windows. I can control the volume, from its own volume knob and listen through the headphone jack. So I was looking at the TOPPING DX7 Pro + and was in my Amazon basket until I came across a review that said that if you use the balance and the RCA connectors to the speakers, the volume knob doesn't control the output, Given that and your review I would now like to ask for help, from anybody here. Do you have any suggestions or advise on how I should go abouts upgrading. It would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance.
@@TheHonestAudiophile If you review the SH-9 that would be cool. But I guess my point is get the SH9 for less than half the price of the Topping amps. And that even includes the A90 Discrete
Topping and smls put way too many products that do the same crap. Is beyond stupid at this point. Nice review Dave. Random question what are those pillows behind you? They sure pop in your background lol.
Great reviews. However Is that not the point, getting the most accurate representation of the music for the purpose of mixing and referencing with professional tracks
There is a difference between flat and neutral. Also, the Topping DX7 Pro+ isn't intended to be used for mixing and reference, it's purpose is for playback reproduction. The Topping DX7 Pro+ lacks naturalism and emotion. It doesn't matter the track or how the track was mixed the DX7 Pro+ doesn't reflect any emotion or naturalism everything sounds flat and boring. Flat - A frequency response that is uniform straight; clear of humps, dips, peaks and rises; gives the impression that all reproduced sound is on the same level. Flat sound is not the same as neutral or natural. Natural - Realism; reproduced sound that matches every day, real life audio. Neutral - Reproduced sound that is free of coloration that is not natural; see natural.
Boring? That’s just fine! A DAC should never impose anything into what its playing. It’s purpose should be ACCURATE D-to-A conversation. Sorry, but I disagree!
Boring isn't neutral and natural. A DAC should reproduce neutral, natural, detailed and resolving in my opinion. Natural - Realism; reproduced sound that matches every day, real life audio; see sterile. Neutral - Reproduced sound that is free of coloration that is not natural; see natural; see uncolored. Thanks for watching and commenting.
@@TheHonestAudiophile if using a perfect flat frequency response with top3 lower distortion in the whole marketing (basicly perfection) feels "unnatural", then the problem is not the dac, its the headphones or speakers you are using
What the hell is boring sounds? Is it like a selfie but without all the Instagram filters, LOL! I guess some audiophiles wants to hear like what some Instagram followers want to see, highlight reels that are obviously photoshopped!
Boring sound is a presentation that is lifeless, doesn't engage with the listener in a natural way.A neutral, natural presentation isn't a boring, lifeless sound but rather it has an accurate flow and engagement when implemented properly.
You use a lot of words to describe nothing. A frequency Is a frequency. Give the fact that the internals are so Similar to other dacs...how could they in one instance sound so great and in another so bad....i have a cyan2 from holoaudio, i compared it tò a smsl su-1, the difference is really minor when a-bing in real time....and you re gonna make people believe that a topping vs another chinese dac will sound vastly different? Come on...
@FlorentNoirot I know what I heard and I described it in the video. Believe what you want but I explained my honest opinion. As you said you hear a difference so why I can't hear a difference?
@FlorentNoirot Use a car for example, you can have the same body, the same motor, the same suspension components but if you tune one differently it will feel and perform completely different from the other. It is called implementation of components, it happens all the time in audio gear. But even if you start out with similar components, not identical components, there will be noticeable differences. DAC aren't all the same, a lot are very similar and a lot of differences are minor as you have pointed out. BUT I know what I heard on the DX7 Pro+ when comparing it to my other gear and I mentioned the differences in the video. Believe what you want but I gave my honest audiophile opinion and I stand by it.
You misunderstand what I mean by boring. Yes, as an audio engineer you want a neutral and natural presentation that isn't artificially enhanced. When you have a proper neutral, natural presentation it should and will have an emotional connection just as the real life production that you're recording.
