Have you ever wondered if increasing the sound quality of your PS5 could improve your gaming skills? If so, Topping's new, budget-friendly DAC is worth a listen

Topping has introduced its new compact DX1 II desktop DAC
It’s relatively affordable at £119 (around $160, AU$240)
Multiple entrances and exits, some clearly designed for gamers

If you’ve been considering purchasing one of the best headphone DACs, it’s probably because you want to connect them to an audiophile-grade hi-fi system, or even to your phone or dedicated music player on the go. But Topping’s latest option takes aim squarely at a very different audience: gamers.

The Topping DX1 II is a new kit that is slowly being released in different regions; Electromod has just launched it in the UK. It costs £119 (around $160, AU$240), so it undercuts many other options except models made 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 the budget-conscious and curious buyers out there, but it seems aimed at gamers more than most. And that’s thanks to a few key considerations that apparently make it a good choice for improving the sound of your games.

A DAC is for life, not just for playing

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

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

A built-in amplifier can deliver up to 1000mW of audio, and since it’s fairly compact (10 x 10 x 3.2cm) it will fit into a number of existing setups, and that bright white casing will make it look right at home next to a PS5.

As a prolific gamer, I’m not sure a DAC is crucial to your hardware setup, although I absolutely recommend any of the best wired gaming headsets. That said, Topping is still very useful as an affordable entry-level DAC for my music that can Get dual use for gaming.