Hifiman XS paired with Topping DX5 II?

[bossman150`]

So after a ton of research I pulled the trigger on a set of Hifiman XS's. I saw a lot of reviews that said for $500 they were a steal, and I ordered them today for $209. Less than I paid for my Sony XM4's a couple years ago. Since I got such a bargain on my headphones I decided to spend more on my DAC/Amp, something that will keep me happy with (pretty much)any headphones I buy in the future. Also I want to make sure I have enough power to the XS's as I have read in many places they are power hungry. As much as I would love a big stack of hifi equipment and tower speakers I don't have the room or the money, so a decent headphone setup will have to do.

I have a gaming PC that I can connect the DAC/Amp to and probably will. Although I will also be buying a new smart phone soon, and a phone would be more convenient. My setup is in my living room, my computer is hooked to a 75in TV and I sit in my recliner about 5 feet away. I have a very energetic 70lb 20 month old Golden Retriever that makes me leery of connecting a cord from the DAC/Amp from where my computer is to my chair, but it would work if I got a long enough cord that it stayed on the ground. If I end up using my phone I could set the DAC/Amp up on an end table next to my chair. The concern with the phone is I have read Samsung (most likely the brand I would go with) down grades the audio signal.

The other thought I have had, since I am spending more anyway, is to do a Wiim Ultra and connect it to a dedicated headphone amp for my XS's. I have not really looked into this option, but I do really love the Wiim Ultra's look and features. I am willing to spend in the $700 range, probably $850 max including the price of the XS's, only if there is something that would add to the value, as I think the $500ish on the XS/DX5 II sounds like it would be a good match and great value.

I listen to mostly CCM but I also love 90's alt, Classic Rock and some metal, if that makes any difference. I have the family plan for Amazon unlimited so I plan on using that as a music source.

Any thoughts/suggestions? My first post here and other than the XM4's this will be my first real try at true HiFi.

 

[bossman150`]

After further research, I went ahead and ordered the Wiim Ultra and the Topping DX5 II. Was this a good or bad move? If my research is correct, this setup with the XS's should be a true high end sounding setup and will be good for years to come with pretty much any headphones I purchase in the future.

 

[Pareto Pragmatic]

After further research, I went ahead and ordered the Wiim Ultra and the Topping DX5 II. Was this a good or bad move? If my research is correct, this setup with the XS's should be a true high end sounding setup and will be good for years to come with pretty much any headphones I purchase in the future.

Good move.

You can run the XS off a dongle, but it won't be enough to unlock it, I found it pretty "meh". The topping will be much better than meh. My topping (dx3 iirc) does the trick just fine. I rarely use headphones, but that combo made me use them more.

Enjoy!

 

[fernando.yang]

I bought Hifiman XV and Dx5II last year. It sounds wonderfully and I really enjoy it.

 

[SPCL9806]

If I end up using my phone I could set the DAC/Amp up on an end table next to my chair. The concern with the phone is I have read Samsung (most likely the brand I would go with) down grades the audio signal.

Back in Sep 2025, I picked up the Edition XS to replace my Grado SR125. Prior to the headphone purchase, I would spend less than 10% of my time using headphones but with the XS's I would say that has completely flipped to 90%. My XS's are plugged into an SMSL DO300EX AKM based DAC/headphone amp fed from my laptop via USB. One thing that surprised me was I prefer to use Bluetooth fed from my Samsung S22. Not an audiophile here but cymbals seem cleaner via BT from my phone to this DAC than with a $120 USB cable from my laptop. You don't seem to be the audiophile type so I would be surprised if you could detect any downgrade in an audio signal from your phone.

 

[artismo]

So after a ton of research I pulled the trigger on a set of Hifiman XS's. I saw a lot of reviews that said for $500 they were a steal, and I ordered them today for $209. Less than I paid for my Sony XM4's a couple years ago. Since I got such a bargain on my headphones I decided to spend more on my DAC/Amp, something that will keep me happy with (pretty much)any headphones I buy in the future. Also I want to make sure I have enough power to the XS's as I have read in many places they are power hungry. As much as I would love a big stack of hifi equipment and tower speakers I don't have the room or the money, so a decent headphone setup will have to do.

I have a gaming PC that I can connect the DAC/Amp to and probably will. Although I will also be buying a new smart phone soon, and a phone would be more convenient. My setup is in my living room, my computer is hooked to a 75in TV and I sit in my recliner about 5 feet away. I have a very energetic 70lb 20 month old Golden Retriever that makes me leery of connecting a cord from the DAC/Amp from where my computer is to my chair, but it would work if I got a long enough cord that it stayed on the ground. If I end up using my phone I could set the DAC/Amp up on an end table next to my chair. The concern with the phone is I have read Samsung (most likely the brand I would go with) down grades the audio signal.

The other thought I have had, since I am spending more anyway, is to do a Wiim Ultra and connect it to a dedicated headphone amp for my XS's. I have not really looked into this option, but I do really love the Wiim Ultra's look and features. I am willing to spend in the $700 range, probably $850 max including the price of the XS's, only if there is something that would add to the value, as I think the $500ish on the XS/DX5 II sounds like it would be a good match and great value.

I listen to mostly CCM but I also love 90's alt, Classic Rock and some metal, if that makes any difference. I have the family plan for Amazon unlimited so I plan on using that as a music source.

Any thoughts/suggestions? My first post here and other than the XM4's this will be my first real try at true HiFi.

Hope you're enjoying the XS. Personally, I couldn't enjoy them via dongle/phone/underpowered. I recently replaced my pads with hybrid fenestrated ones because it fit the sound profile I like. I have considered paper towel modding it because I like tinkering. Probably with pets, I would still roll with the dongle rather than death by doggo. I stay wired because I like all the bits. I've been eyeing that DX5 II and I think it's an amazing piece of engineering, not perfect, but I'm fascinated with the topology and circuitry. Anybody feel free to correct me but I believe John Yang was head of that design. Unrelated note, his general rec is the reason I dropped the OPA1656 in my D10s. That said, how are you liking the DX II for your needs?