Shenzhenaudio Topping EX5 Review (DAC and Headphone Amplifier)

[Tks]

Wow @JohnYang1997 Was this design yours as well? You finally made a DX3 Pro (well DX7 Pro I should say) sequel I've been begging for. ANNNND you and Topping brought back the ESS chip as seen last in the awesome DX7 Pro. Got rid of the output impedance I hope (the only real problem that thing had, though it seems Amir forgot to test it).

Seeing as how it has XLR outputs, does this mean the 4-pin output on the front is "fake balanced" at least, or is it purly just a convenience thing?

 

[Toku]

The Topping D90 and DX3 Pro LDAC have been discontinued at Shenzhen Audio, but is the EX5 the successor to the DX3 Pro LDAC?

 

[DanTheMan]

I bought the 30 Pro stack and I'm almost having buyer's remorse. I did need the analogue input, so there's that. But to think I basically paid twice the price for the looks of a stack and the analogue input to the amp is making me sad.

Think I may get this for my brother as a present. Along some Sundaras.

Aandres! My long lost brother! Thank you so much! I love it! Truly love it. I’ll never forget it.

 

[JohnYang1997]

Wow @JohnYang1997 Was this design yours as well? You finally made a DX3 Pro (well DX7 Pro I should say) sequel I've been begging for. ANNNND you and Topping brought back the ESS chip as seen last in the awesome DX7 Pro. Got rid of the output impedance I hope (the only real problem that thing had, though it seems Amir forgot to test it).

Seeing as how it has XLR outputs, does this mean the 4-pin output on the front is "fake balanced" at least, or is it purly just a convenience thing?

Convenience but XLR is indeed the better connector.

 

[aandres_gm]

Aandres! My long lost brother! Thank you so much! I love it! Truly love it. I’ll never forget it.

N o .

 

[WoodyLuvr]

N o .

@DanTheMan In German "N o ." means send him your contact number and address so he can send the gift.

 

[jensgk]

Might create a non-MQA version with 20 dollar premium.

I would also consider such a device next time I am in the market.
You could also just market this device without the MQA badge and MQA status LED. Some people, goes to great effort to scrape those things off., since showcasing a device with the MQA badge is a bit embarrassing.

 

[Trell]

Might create a non-MQA version with 20 dollar premium.

If you add a sticker showing "non-MQA" you should be able to have an even higher premium.

 

[urfaust]

Another nice unit and alternative. I like the new THDN vs output for IEMs that are usually very low impedance around 16-32, and see if anything breaks around there.

 

[Tks]

Convenience but XLR is indeed the better connector.

But there's balanced out!

 

[aandres_gm]

@DanTheMan In German "N o ." means send him your contact number and address so he can send the gift.

The German translation for "N o ." is "auf gar keinen Fall".

 

[JoetheLion]

Does the EX5 have an auto stand by? The A30pro gets very hot, even at idle.

 

[TheTalbotHound]

What opamp in particular does this use? The new OPA1656 like in the A30pro?

 

[JohnYang1997]

What opamp in particular does this use? The new OPA1656 like in the A30pro?

Simplified and adapted L30 circuit.

 

[TheTalbotHound]

Might create a non-MQA version with 20 dollar premium.

100% honestly, i would buy.

 

[alekksander]

The EX5 produced exceptionally good performance with bot

oups!


regarding this unit: i am another user with regrets about d30+hpa (l30) combo i just bought instead of waiting for ex5 and having it in one package. ex5 downsides for me is the mqa support and it's front led (i would never use) and inconsistent fonts on front panel making it looks a bit more budget than it's necessary.

does it have dac+pre modes we got used to? if so, how does the volume knob acts in dac mode? wonder what other modes are acting like.

 

[TheTalbotHound]

Simplified and adapted L30 circuit.

Also is the volume control digital or an analog pot?

 

[mslim]

This one ticks a lot of check boxes for me. Just waiting for a period of usage and reviews before I jump in........I hope no heat issues.....

 

[mslim]

Also is the volume control digital or an analog pot?

I think John Yang mentions digital. This is a tick in my checkbox.

 

[JohnYang1997]

Also is the volume control digital or an analog pot?

As already mentioned, digital.