Have you ever wondered if improving the sound quality of your PS5 could improve your gaming chops? If so, Topping’s new cheap DAC is worth an audition

Topping has unveiled its new and compact desktop DX1 II DAC
It’s relatively affordable at £119 (about $160, AU$240)
Multiple inputs and outputs, some clearly designed for gamers

If you’ve been thinking about buying one of the best headphone DACs, it’s probably because you want to connect them to an audiophile-friendly hi-fi system – or even to your phone or dedicated music player on the commute. But Topping’s latest option is aimed squarely at a very different audience: gamers.

Topping DX1 II is a new set which is slowly being released in different regions; it has just been released in the UK from Electromod. It costs £119 (about $160, AU$240), so it undercuts many other options except for models built specifically for smartphones or digital audio players.

However, the DX1 II seems to have a specific user in mind. The DAC is designed for all budget-conscious, audiophile-curious buyers, but it feels aimed at gamers more than most. And that’s thanks to a few important considerations that apparently make it a good choice for improving the sound of your games.

A DAC is for life, not just for gaming

Despite some gaming features being the main tools, the Topping DX1 II also looks to be a solid all-rounder – and given how much we loved the larger and more expensive Topping DX5 II, it’s worth a closer look.

The DAC can input from USB-C as well as optical and output to optical, stereo RCA, 3.5mm or 4.4mm. There’s support for 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD 256, so high-quality audio won’t be a problem. There are also EQ tools as well as filter and gain settings.

A built-in amplifier can deliver up to 1,000mW of sound, and as it’s quite compact at 10x10x3.2cm, it will fit into various existing setups – and the glossy white casing will make it look right at home next to a PS5.

As a prolific gamer, I’m not sure I can see a DAC being essential to a hardware setup – although I absolutely recommend one of the best wired gaming headsets out there. That said, the Topping is still very useful as an affordable entry-level DAC for my music can get double use for games.