Topping DX5 II

[Timbo2]

Thank you!!

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I discovered that the SE’s volume is quite low at Low Gain. I have to push -34dB to achieve a comfortable volume level. Does this seem excessive to you? It appears quite high, but the volume with my Meze Alba (same for my Sennheiser PC38X) is not so high. Before, with my Schiit Helios 2E, I didn’t need to push the volume at Low Gain too much to get a good volume level.
I usually listen at a moderate volume. In the mean time it's the first time I've got an Amp/Dac with -dB unit
My Sundara at High Gain is fine.

If you are using PEQ - don't forget you will usually have gain reduction there as well that won't show on the main volume display.

Turn off PEQ and see if the loudness level is more what you expect at the indicated volume levels.

 

[Bauhaus]

If you are using PEQ - don't forget you will usually have gain reduction there as well that won't show on the main volume display.

Turn off PEQ and see if the loudness level is more what you expect at the indicated volume levels.

Yes I know. But I use it without EQ for now.

 

[Ahmonge]

Yes I know. But I use it without EQ for now.

Nothing bad happens no matter how high you turn up the volume, as long as the amplifier does not clip, which is noticeable by a sudden and unpleasant distortion.

 

[BimboCresciuto]

Good morning.
A quick question.
Does this product work like it does in this photo?
Thanks

Don't work with XBOX.

 

[leungie]

Hi everyone, out of all the software bugs at launch. Any of them unsolved with the latest FW update？ Many thanks!

 

[Bauhaus]

Is there a way to determine the codec being received by the DX5 II in Bluetooth mode? I can’t see any information on the device’s display.

@BimboCresciuto Yeah, Xbox is incompatible with UAC1. I’m puzzled as to why Microsoft doesn’t allow it. is it hardware or software limitation ?


Anyway I am really pleased with the DX5 II
The only one big problem I have is with the Geforce Now app. After playing for some time (5mn) it will freeze my Mac Studio and reboot.
Let me explain the setup:
- I have a headphone PC38X.
- I’ve connected the green jack to the topping, HPA SE. The topping is connected via USB and outputs audio.
- I’ve connected the red jack to the back of my Mac Studio to get microphone input.
I’m not sure why this app freezes my PC only when I connect the microphone input. It works fine when I don’t connect the microphone input.

Can it be related to different sample rate ??

 

[Timbo2]

Hi everyone, out of all the software bugs at launch. Any of them unsolved with the latest FW update？ Many thanks!

PEQ remains buggy. If this isn't critical for you the rest of the functionality seems good.

 

[leungie]

PEQ remains buggy. If this isn't critical for you the rest of the functionality seems good.

I would like to use the PEQ. Just set to 1 setting though... set and forget type usage.

 

[DazST]

Hi folks, I bought one of these yesterday to use in my office system. First impressions are very good. I've not had time to read through all 114 pages of this thread yet, so apologies if this has already been asked/answered, or if it's a dumb question! I've read that in pre-amp mode it can output from both rca and balanced line outputs, so I'm wondering if it would be possible to connect to both a set of active speakers and an active sub to effectively achieve a 2.1 system? This is something I would consider doing down the track if feasible.

 

[staticV3]

I'm wondering if it would be possible to connect to both a set of active speakers and an active sub to effectively achieve a 2.1 system? This is something I would consider doing down the track if feasible.

Possible yes, but the DX5II is a pure Stereo device.

The same signal will be put out via RCA and XLR, so a crossover filter is not possible.

That means you'll have no choice but to play the active monitors full-range, then use the sub's crossover and phase controls to integrate with the mains as best as possible.

This is workable, but not ideal.

 

[DazST]

Possible yes, but the DX5II is a pure Stereo device.

The same signal will be put out via RCA and XLR, so a crossover filter is not possible.

That means you'll have no choice but to play the active monitors full-range, then use the sub's crossover and phase controls to integrate with the mains as best as possible.

This is workable, but not ideal.

Thanks for that. So it sounds like it would work but not be ideal due to inability to set both high and low pass filters? So a similar limitation to what I would have now with connecting the DX5II (dac mode) to an integrated amp (with sub out but no bass management) and passive speakers?

 

[staticV3]

Thanks for that. So it sounds like it would work but not be ideal due to inability to set both high and low pass filters? So a similar limitation to what I would have now with connecting the DX5II (dac mode) to an integrated amp (with sub out but no bass management) and passive speakers?

Correct

 

[leungie]

Hi guys. Another noooob qn.

At a later date if I wanna try a tube dac, I can hook it up to the DX5ii through RCA?

If so. Does RCA sound significantly different vs XLR? (DX5ii not having XLR input)

Thx thx

 

[DazST]

I've been trying to install the 1.78 firmware on my new dx5ii, but it's not working. When I copy the TOPPING file to the root directory of the drive that appears (f: in my case) it copies over ok, but then nothing happens. The instructions say that at this point "the drive will then eject itself and reconnect" but it doesn't- nothing happens and the update isn't applying when i restart the device. What am I doing wrong?
Again, apologies if this has been asked and assisted a thousand times already!

Edit: nevermind, I finally got it work. I think I was drag/dropping it instead of copy/pasting.

 

[staticV3]

Hi guys. Another noooob qn.

At a later date if I wanna try a tube dac, I can hook it up to the DX5ii through RCA?

If so. Does RCA sound significantly different vs XLR? (DX5ii not having XLR input)

Thx thx

On the DX5II, all inputs are digital and all outputs are analog.

You cannot connect a second DAC to the DX5II.

The RCA jack that's on the DX5II's input side is Coax SPDIF, not analog Line.

 

[BeeKay]

Hi guys. Another noooob qn.

At a later date if I wanna try a tube dac, I can hook it up to the DX5ii through RCA?

If so. Does RCA sound significantly different vs XLR? (DX5ii not having XLR input)

Thx thx

You cannot and you maybe should not.
Firstly, the DX5II has no analog input of any kind. Secondly, why abusing a perfectly measuring DAC / HPA with a mediocre technology from the past?

 

[leungie]

You cannot and you maybe should not.
Firstly, the DX5II has no analog input of any kind. Secondly, why abusing a perfectly measuring DAC / HPA with a mediocre technology from the past?

Yeah I hear ya. It's the curiosity to try lol. Guess cannot try then

 

[BeeKay]

Yeah I hear ya. It's the curiosity to try lol. Guess cannot try then

Well, to cure your curiosity you could spend some 50 EUR and hook up that tube DAC to a 2nd hand Topping L30.

 

[texaspledge]

Wow just spent a few hours trying to get a PEQ setup that will
A) persist after power cycling
B) not set the filter gains to +12 randomly

It required going back to 1.72 to stop the +12db issues but then they wouldn't stick. Finally closed/opened, closed/open TT and then power cycled. My favorite peq setting stayed . Could only het the one, but it's my favorite anyway.

Hate to say it but people depending on PEQ to work should likely wait. I still think it's got great potential but who knows how long it will take to get this sorted.

 

[SorenTyson]

Anecdotally I believe the culprit is topping tune. I had to run it in a VM and haven't opened the VM since setting the PEQ. I have none of the reported issues.

Prior to deciding on the final PEQ settings I had TT running while testing, and there I ran into the 12db after the unit was turned off overnight.

My experience: set the PEQ, kill TT = no issues.