TOPPING DX9 Discrete DAC and Amp Review

Starting from a self-developed 16-element 1-bit PSRM DAC instead of a standard delta-sigma chip, as the page puts it, the TOPPING DX9 Discrete adds a six-channel discrete NFCA headphone amplifier and is listed at $1,299. The page quotes 7,080mW x2 at 32Ω, 131dB SNR and THD+N below 0.00006%, with decoding of 32-bit/768kHz PCM and native DSD512. It lists USB, AES, IIS, optical, coaxial and Bluetooth V5.1 inputs and can work as a DAC, a DAC and amp, or a pre-amp.

Specifications

Options and pricing

DX9 Discrete-Black is the sole option, at $1,299, and the page showed it as orderable; no other color, plug or version is offered. The page mentions a multi-function knob and an IR remote control but does not say whether the remote is included, and it gives no dimensions, weight or in-the-box list. It describes a glass top and a dual color display with Aurora UI.

How it compares

The TOPPING A900 Headphone Amplifier is $1,199 against $1,299 here, and its name describes an amplifier without a DAC, so it suits owners who already have one. The FiiO K17 DAC & Headphone Amplifier is $989.99 and, like the DX9, combines a DAC with an amplifier; its name lists AK4191 and AK4499EX chips. The AUNE S9c Pro MQA 16x DAC with Headphone AMP is $679.15. The DX9 Discrete suits buyers who want a discrete 1-bit DAC and PEQ in one box; the K17 or S9c Pro fit tighter budgets.

Shipping, returns and warranty

HiFiGO sells from hifigo.com and says every order leaves its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after it is placed, and says its delivery times are estimates, not promises. Its shipping policy gives the United States 1-2 weeks (about 10 days on average) by Priority and 6-10 days by Premium, both with duties and taxes prepaid by the store; Canada 2-3 weeks; the United Kingdom 1-2 weeks; and Australia 10-15 days. Express couriers (DHL, UPS, FedEx) take 3-7 days, but then the buyer pays any duties and taxes. No shipping page names New Zealand, PO boxes are not accepted, and the free-shipping thresholds differ between the store's own pages, so check the cart. One of its two shipping pages adds that a lost parcel on an order above $50 gets only a 50% refund. A US buyer reported a $40 tariff charge in August 2025, after which HiFiGO said it had added a customs notice at checkout.

Read the return terms before you order. The homepage advertises 7-day returns. Both of HiFiGO's policy pages offer a 7-day dead-on-arrival cover (a replacement or a full refund, with the return postage refunded) and also describe 30-day returns, but a request made 7 to 30 days after delivery loses 30% of the MSRP as a restocking fee (10% more if the packaging is incomplete), plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same pages says there is no refund or exchange once 7 days have passed. One version recommends reselling an opened product locally. Custom IEMs and custom cables cannot be returned, no return address is published, and buyers describe sending items back to China.

HiFiGO's warranty runs one year from the order date for parts and labor; its policy names desktop DACs and amps, IEMs and dongles at one year and gives cables and adapters three months. HiFiGO decides between repair and replacement, the buyer pays the shipping, and faulty items go back for service, not for a refund. Claims go to [email protected], the only contact the store lists: its pages name no company, street address or phone, and its terms are governed by the laws of China.

On Trustpilot, HiFiGO had 4.6 out of 5 from 378 reviews when we checked on 2026-10-28 (91% five-star, 5% one-star), and it had replied to about 75% of negative reviews; Trustpilot notes the store has not invited customers to review recently. The one-star reviews mostly concern the short return window and the deductions on returns, items listed in stock that turned out back-ordered, slow email support and a tariff charge on a US delivery in 2025. HiFiGO says its products are genuine and come in the brands' retail packaging; it does not claim to be an authorized dealer.