Topping DX5 II 4.4 mm Output Hardware Fault – Looking for Technical Input and my Warranty Experience

[SlickDaddy]

I wanted to document my experience with a DX5 II in case it is useful to other owners and to determine whether others have observed the same behaviour.

My intention isn't to criticise TOPPING as a brand. I own several of their products and have generally been very impressed with both their engineering and measured performance. The DX5 II itself has been an excellent DAC/preamp, which is why this issue has been so disappointing.

Fault description​

The issue affects only the front 4.4 mm balanced headphone output.

The symptoms are:

• Intermittent audio dropout.
• Audible distortion.
• Channel instability.
• The connector must be rotated or held in a specific position to achieve a clean signal.
• Small movements of the plug can cause distortion or complete signal loss.

The problem appears mechanical rather than software or firmware-related.

Troubleshooting performed​

To eliminate external variables, I tested the following:

• Multiple 4.4 mm balanced headphone cables.
• Multiple headphones.
• Different USB sources.
• Different PCs.
• Different mains outlets.
• Reinserting and cleaning connectors.

All headphones and cables operate normally on other equipment.

The fault is completely repeatable on my DX5 II and is isolated to the front 4.4 mm output.

The rear XLR outputs continue to function correctly.

I also supplied TOPPING and the seller with a video demonstrating the issue.

Seller assessment​

Following review of the evidence, the seller's assessment was that the 4.4 mm output has a poor connection and requires repair or replacement.

Wider observations​

After investigating further, I found a number of discussions describing very similar behaviour.

These include reports on Reddit, Head-Fi and other audio forums where users describe intermittent balanced output operation that appears mechanically sensitive to connector position.

I have also come across posts from users claiming that faults associated with the balanced output have resulted in damage to connected headphones. I cannot independently verify those reports, so I mention them only because they exist and may warrant further investigation if this proves to be a broader quality issue rather than isolated failures.

If anyone has objective evidence, measurements or failure analysis relating to these reports, I'd be very interested to see it.

Warranty experience​

The warranty process has unfortunately been considerably less straightforward than I expected.

The sequence has been the following:

• AliExpress declined assistance because the buyer protection period had expired.
• TOPPING referred me back to the seller.
• The seller acknowledged the apparent fault but requested that I return the unit to China before any remedy could be offered.
• At present there is no defined turnaround time and no certainty regarding reimbursement of return shipping costs.

I fully understand the need for manufacturers to inspect returned products before authorising warranty claims.

My concern is that the fault has already been acknowledged by the seller, yet the proposed process requires international return shipping at my expense with no defined service timeline.

Questions for other owners​

1. Has anyone experienced similar behaviour from the DX5 II 4.4 mm output?
2. Has anyone disassembled the headphone socket to determine whether the failure is connector-related, solder-related or PCB-related?
3. Has TOPPING issued any engineering revision or hardware update addressing this issue?
4. Has anyone collected measurements or oscilloscope traces during failure?
5. If your unit required warranty service, how was it handled?

If this proves to be isolated to a small production batch, then that's valuable information. Equally, if multiple owners can reproduce the same behaviour under controlled conditions, it may help establish whether there is a common failure mode.

I'm particularly interested in technical analysis rather than speculation, so any objective evidence or measurements would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SlickDaddy]

@JohnYang1997

 

[Berwhale]

@SlickDaddy Welcome to ASR!

The 4.4mm socket is mounted on a small, auxiliary circuit board and there have been at least 2 versions of this board - See here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ping-dx5ii-teardown.64527/page-6#post-2591727

The symptoms you describe do suggest that this is some kind of mechanical issue, either a dry solder joint or a faulty/broken 4.4mm socket. Both of these issues are relatively easy to fix if you know what you are doing or find someone who does.

 

[SlickDaddy]

@SlickDaddy Welcome to ASR!

The 4.4mm socket is mounted on a small, auxiliary circuit board and there have been at least 2 versions of this board - See here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ping-dx5ii-teardown.64527/page-6#post-2591727

The symptoms you describe do suggest that this is some kind of mechanical issue, either a dry solder joint or a faulty/broken 4.4mm socket. Both of these issues are relatively easy to fix if you know what you are doing or find someone who does.

I wish I did know what I was doing lol.
Shouldn't the manufacturer take care of this, though, under warranty?

 

[Berwhale]

I wish I did know what I was doing lol.
Shouldn't the manufacturer take care of this, though, under warranty?

Toppings warranty terms state that you need to go via the seller - see 'How to get help' at the bottom of the page: https://www.toppingaudio.com/warranty-terms

Personally, I don't buy anything direct from China that I cannot afford to write off. My DX5 II is probably around the limit in terms of price and I purchased from ShenzhenAudio which has pretty good after sales service.