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Topping DX5 Stereo DAC & HP Amp Review (Video)

Endibol

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Follow up video to my review of Topping DX5 balanced stereo DAC and headphone amplifier with Bluetooth:

When I compare the measurements of this Topping DX5 with the Topping D90SE it looks like they are pretty identical in terms of THD+N. The DX5 offers in addition a top class headphone amplifier, at half the price of the D90SE.
Why would one still want to buy the D90SE? Less functionality, similar performance...
 

restorer-john

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Ismapics

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Hello @amirm : please consider flipping the camera image in post. I know its really not related to the content, but it was somewhat of a ahhh? moment when you showed the DAC in your hand. Thanks for all the content. Cheers
 

PeteL

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And the Audioexpress 'article' is about as close to a company (AKM) sponsored puff-piece press release as you can get. Sad.
What is sad about that? Companies issue press releases to be "released" by the "press"... Not everything is a conspiracy... Sites need content to exist, they receive info, they relay info... I see nothing wrong. At some point we have to understand that all companies do some sort of marketing, it's not a crime...
 
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biberfan

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After watching the video, and inspired by your take down of the PS Audio regenerator, I thought I'd put some money behind this unit because I was in want of a desktop DAC/headphone amp combo and it was being offered at a price that spoke to quality without going overboard. I really wanted to test for myself how well things sounded that measured well.

I ordered direct from Shenzen Audio and it came well-packed (and quickly).

My first impression was that the sound was flat and not involving. I downloaded the firmware update that had come out a week later and I am guessing this was to address the "ESS hump." The sound at this point, maybe because of the update, or because of so-called burn-in, was darker and far more interesting and involving. I thought it sounded pretty darn good.

Then yesterday it started fritzing out on me stuck in an "updata" loop that wouldn't stop. I finally managed to get the unit to stop and play and then it cut out again after 45 mins of listening and started back in this update loop again. Then I smelled burnt plastic.

I've contacted the company for a refund or return. Not happy with the quality control. I'm hoping other buyers fare better.
 
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