Shenzhenaudio Topping EX5 Review (DAC and Headphone Amplifier)

[Berwhale]

oh thank you but i am a penguin

I'm sure you could set something similar up in Linux, it might be a bit more fiddly

and also dont use USB due to the usb ground inserting noise

I bought the EX5, with it's balanced outputs, to solve a ground loop issue (which it did). I had previously employed a USB isolator and a Toslink connection to solve the issue with my single ended DAC (Topping D50s) and iLoud MTM monitors (which have 3 pin power and therefore offer a path to ground via USB and signal ground)

so i use a optical connection

I too use optical connections, but only for 10GbE

 

[Nonick]

What would be worthy successor of EX5?
To sort Topping series from low to high end:
DAC/headphone better then EX5 (and to have a decent BT remote):
DX5
DX5 lite
DX7 pro+
E50 or E70 + additional hp amp?

 

[Bleib]

What would be worthy successor of EX5?
To sort Topping series from low to high end:
DAC/headphone better then EX5 (and to have a decent BT remote):
DX5
DX5 lite
DX7 pro+
E50 or E70 + additional hp amp?

End of this months DX5 II probably

 

[Everett T]

What would be worthy successor of EX5?
To sort Topping series from low to high end:
DAC/headphone better then EX5 (and to have a decent BT remote):
DX5
DX5 lite
DX7 pro+
E50 or E70 + additional hp amp?

You're not gonna be looking at anything audibly different except maybe the headphone amp, and that doesn't seem too likely. The display will most likely be an upgrade, so that would be a plus for me. As for the remote I'm assuming they will continue to use the same remote/remote codes as they have been using. I upgraded mine to the heavier version as it just feels nicer.

 

[Nonick]

I sold ex5, so at the moment i got nothing. Im not looking for audible upgrade (ex5 was ok but iirc remote was like a sniper game), its just when im buying new equipment (speakers amp and dac) - id like to buy new and better.
There are still some ex5 for sale, so if a worthy successor doesnt arrive - ex5 it shall be

 

[Everett T]

I sold ex5, so at the moment i got nothing. Im not looking for audible upgrade (ex5 was ok but iirc remote was like a sniper game), its just when im buying new equipment (speakers amp and dac) - id like to buy new and better.
There are still some ex5 for sale, so if a worthy successor doesn srrive - ex5 it shall be

The display would be upgrade for me. Currently the EX5 is driving some Kali speakers in a bedroom TV setup with a WiiM handling music distribution from the audio server. The only reason I'd upgrade currently is for analog inputs and an AES digital input.

 

[Bleib]

I sold ex5, so at the moment i got nothing. Im not looking for audible upgrade (ex5 was ok but iirc remote was like a sniper game), its just when im buying new equipment (speakers amp and dac) - id like to buy new and better.
There are still some ex5 for sale, so if a worthy successor doesnt arrive - ex5 it shall be

Better remote + more inputs. At highest volume puts out 2.5v and 5v though, so need to set it to -3dB for normal 2v and 4v output

SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC & Headphone Amp Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the SMSL RAW-MDA 1 stereo DAC and headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by SMSL and it is a collaboration with Shenzehenaudio (available elsewhere as well) and is on sale for $246. The first thing I noticed was the much more polished display. It is...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

As far as I’m aware, the EX5’s DAC and amp are already transparent, so why replace it, unless it’s broken?

 

[Cincyret]

Funny, I just got an e-mail to this thread. I have a WiiM Pro feeding an EX5 and a miniDSP Flex. My new speakers don't need the tiny (REL T/Zero) sub and I like the WiiM room EQ better than the one I came up with for the Flex. .... So, a few days ago I removed the Flex, and just use the XLR out on the EX5 to feed my Amp. I also have a DCA closed headphone and an AKG open headphone. Good question about the successor... I've been internet browsing for an EX5 replacement that I don't need. Thanks.

 

[Jimster480]

I sold ex5, so at the moment i got nothing. Im not looking for audible upgrade (ex5 was ok but iirc remote was like a sniper game), its just when im buying new equipment (speakers amp and dac) - id like to buy new and better.
There are still some ex5 for sale, so if a worthy successor doesnt arrive - ex5 it shall be

I love my EX5 and the Amp is great in it.
You can buy a secondary remote that works better. The remote from my D70S works better on my EX5 than the EX5 plastic remote.

Funny, I just got an e-mail to this thread. I have a WiiM Pro feeding an EX5 and a miniDSP Flex. My new speakers don't need the tiny (REL T/Zero) sub and I like the WiiM room EQ better than the one I came up with for the Flex. .... So, a few days ago I removed the Flex, and just use the XLR out on the EX5 to feed my Amp. I also have a DCA closed headphone and an AKG open headphone. Good question about the successor... I've been internet browsing for an EX5 replacement that I don't need. Thanks.

Yea I don't think there is a need, the performance is already really great and the device looks and works fine.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

I love my EX5 and the Amp is great in it.
You can buy a secondary remote that works better. The remote from my D70S works better on my EX5 than the EX5 plastic remote.

Yea I don't think there is a need, the performance is already really great and the device looks and works fine.

Could you (a) point me in the direction of a remote that will work better, and (b) explain what you can do with that you can’t with the supplied remote.

Many thanks.

 

[Berwhale]

Could you (a) point me in the direction of a remote that will work better, and (b) explain what you can do with that you can’t with the supplied remote.

Many thanks.

I have the Topping RC-21, which works well for me. I think it's been replaced with the RC-22 which I mentioned on the DX5 thread...

Topping DX5 Review (DAC & HP Amp)

All found in the User Manual: https://www.tpdz.net/newsinfo/630437.html Thank you! Is there so much difference between the various sets? What do you recommend?

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

I have the Topping RC-21, which works well for me. I think it's been replaced with the RC-22 which I mentioned on the DX5 thread...

Topping DX5 Review (DAC & HP Amp)

All found in the User Manual: https://www.tpdz.net/newsinfo/630437.html Thank you! Is there so much difference between the various sets? What do you recommend?

www.audiosciencereview.com

Thanks, that's very helpful.

Now that I think about it, at the moment I don't need the remote.

I always On/Off using the rocker on the back.

I leave volume at full power, and control volume from the source, which is my WiiM Ultra Streamer/DAC/Pre-amp.

Everything goes through the Ultra, so no need to switch inputs, and I only use headphone out.

But who knows, maybe in future I may change usage - after all, I have done so twice already.

Thanks again.

 

[Cincyret]

I have the Topping RC-21, which works well for me. I think it's been replaced with the RC-22 which I mentioned on the DX5 thread...

Topping DX5 Review (DAC & HP Amp)

All found in the User Manual: https://www.tpdz.net/newsinfo/630437.html Thank you! Is there so much difference between the various sets? What do you recommend?

www.audiosciencereview.com

Thanks! I ordered the RC-22 and it arrived today. Much more classy, although I'm not sure if it works any better [???]. Here are some pics for dummies like me! Ha.

 

[Berwhale]

Thanks! I ordered the RC-22 and it arrived today. Much more classy, although I'm not sure if it works any better [???]. Here are some pics for dummies like me! Ha.

Battery access is via the rear on the RC-21 and I have some rubber feet on mine to raise it off my desk, so it's easier to pickup...

Fun fact: I accidentally double pushed the volume control on my EX5 yesterday and discovered that this switches between HP/RCA/XLR & RCA+XLR outputs. It's in the manual, but I hadn't noticed it for over 3 years

 

[Nathanael]

Just a question to make sure I understand Amir graphs and explanations:

It clips under 32 Ohm but only at very high loudness/power levels, right? There are enough power reserves to listen with a 25 Ohm headphone (one of my headphones) without issues at normal or even higher levels? This would also apply to to a 16 Ohm headphone, right? Maybe I will buy a Hifiman Edition XS (18 Ohm) or a Hifiman Sundara (32 Ohm) in the future, not sure at the moment.

Shortly speaking this a perfect amp for headphones from 16 to 600 Ohm and these measurable clipping issues under 32 Ohm are not refering to most realistic scenarios when listening at normal or even higher levels?

I've got the possibility to buy a used EX5 for a good price.

Thanx for answers.

 

[Jimster480]

Just a question to make sure I understand Amir graphs and explanations:

It clips under 32 Ohm but only at very high loudness/power levels, right? There are enough power reserves to listen with a 25 Ohm headphone (one of my headphones) without issues at normal or even higher levels? This would also apply to to a 16 Ohm headphone, right? Maybe I will buy a Hifiman Edition XS (18 Ohm) or a Hifiman Sundara (32 Ohm) in the future, not sure at the moment.

Shortly speaking this a perfect amp for headphones from 16 to 600 Ohm and these measurable clipping issues under 32 Ohm are not refering to most realistic scenarios when listening at normal or even higher levels?

I've got the possibility to buy a used EX5 for a good price.

Thanx for answers.

Yes, I use an Aeon Flow Closed original that is like 14 ohm. It can drive that headphone to volumes far beyond what I would want to listen at and I have never ran into clipping or protection.
I use it all the time at my desk.

 

[gvl]

Ultimately it’s less about headphone impedance but more about headphone sensitivity. For the majority of headphones out there it’s powerful enough.

 

[Nathanael]

Ultimately it’s less about headphone impedance but more about headphone sensitivity. For the majority of headphones out there it’s powerful enough.

As far as I understand it, it's in this case a combination of low impedance and low sensitivity that can be problematic and cause clipping but most likely only in very rarely cases if any. Am I right?

 

[gvl]

As far as I understand it, it's in this case a combination of low impedance and low sensitivity that can be problematic and cause clipping but most likely only in very rarely cases if any. Am I right?

Yup.