Topping DX5 II

[Wilgene123]

I only use the 6.35mm port wth a 6.35 se cable, one headphone at all time, all settings are on default, PEQ disabled, my unit came with firmware v1.92 however i updated it to the latest v1.93. Can’t check the serial number as i’m not at home.

 

[Deleted member 93967]

I only use the 6.35mm port wth a 6.35 se cable, one headphone at all time, all settings are on default, PEQ disabled, my unit came with firmware v1.92 however i updated it to the latest v1.93. Can’t check the serial number as i’m not at home.

Apparently, there is a DC Offset occurring in the Bass Tests in the (SE) output, since most of these Bass Test songs were mastered near 0 dBFS.
In this case, the DC protection is not being activated, transmitting the audio signal at a level that can damaged the headphones.
To mitigate this problem reduce the intensity (volume) via the ASIO driver or in the mixer if using a shared Wasapi.
Some firmwares reset the intensity to the maximum level after a new signal is detected.
If the problem persists after reducing the signal input, do not hesitate to exchange or return the DX5II, as it exhibits the same problems reported in this thread regarding the amplification circuits.

 

[Wilgene123]

Could you explain how dc offset causes clipping? Why does it only happen in the right channel, and why when paired with a more powerful dac/amp like the fiio k19, I don’t seem to hear any clipping when level matched. Sorry i’m new to this.

 

[Deleted member 93967]

Could you explain how dc offset causes clipping? Why does it only happen in the right channel, and why when paired with a more powerful dac/amp like the fiio k19, I don’t seem to hear any clipping when level matched. Sorry i’m new to this.

This occurs in the DX5II due to the absence of high-pass and low-pass filters, as well as the lack of an efficient DC protector and limiter.
DC offset is when an AC waveform, like an audio signal, has its center line shifted away from zero volts, making it asymmetrical (uneven above and below zero) due to a direct current (DC) component, often caused by faulty hardware, leading to issues like clicks, distortion, and premature clipping in audio, which can usually be fixed with a high-pass filter.

 

[Wilgene123]

This occurs in the DX5II due to the absence of high-pass and low-pass filters, as well as the lack of an efficient DC protector and limiter.
DC offset is when an AC waveform, like an audio signal, has its center line shifted away from zero volts, making it asymmetrical (uneven above and below zero) due to a direct current (DC) component, often caused by faulty hardware, leading to issues like clicks, distortion, and premature clipping in audio, which can usually be fixed with a high-pass filter.

I see. Given so much praise by many reviewers about the topping dx5 ii, why hasn’t this issue been talked much. Are high-pass and low-pass filters uncommon on dac/amp and only found in more expensive models? Why does it specifically happen on the right channel of all tested headphones when experiencing dc offset. Thanks for informative replies!

 

[Interstellar]

Hey guys, seemingly different issue with my unit. Suddenly it won't turn on properly. When I power it on, the TOPPING logo flutters, then seems to shut down and restart. I get the topping logo over and over every few seconds.

I can get to the firmware update menu and it connects to my computer just fine. I was able to update the firmware to the latest with no issue. Unfortuantely it didn't solve the issue. I don't use it for its amp stage, I just pass it through to my chosen amp (Niimbus US5 Pro).

Is she cooked? Is there a way to hard reset it perhaps? I looked through the menu but didn't see a way to do so spelled out.

edit: serial starts with 251157xxxx

 

[de grave]

Hey guys, I'm having a distortion problem. Over time, every output I used with my planar headphones started to distort heavily at low frequencies. I got a replacement unit under warranty, but as soon as I turned it on a second time, the distortion problem started again with the new unit.Have you found a solution to this problem, or should I get a different amplifier from a reputable brand with better quality control?

 

[ohezeba]

Hey guys, I'm having a distortion problem. Over time, every output I used with my planar headphones started to distort heavily at low frequencies. I got a replacement unit under warranty, but as soon as I turned it on a second time, the distortion problem started again with the new unit.Have you found a solution to this problem, or should I get a different amplifier from a reputable brand with better quality control?

Try listening via bluetooth with the PEQ off, does it still do it?

 

[de grave]

Try listening via bluetooth with the PEQ off, does it still do it?

I don't use an equalizer, I tried both Bluetooth and USB, updating the firmware, disabling volume memory, resetting the settings to factory defaults, completely turning off the device from the power supply, but nothing helped.

 

[ohezeba]

I don't use an equalizer, I tried both Bluetooth and USB, updating the firmware, disabling volume memory, resetting the settings to factory defaults, completely turning off the device from the power supply, but nothing helped.

It’s very strange that it happens even with a brand new unit. Have you tried testing with other headphones, different cables, and both balanced and unbalanced outputs? What headphones are you using? Actual unit serial? On side of the case under qrcode

 

[evalrat]

Recently got into this hobby and bought a dx5 ii to pair with my hifiman arya organic, however i noticed that there is clipping on the right channel when the preamp is set to -11.5 and higher on low gain when listening to bass tests. It happens on my lcd 2f as well but on -4.5 onwards but it’s less noticeable. Is this normal and wouldn’t the arya organic (16ohms) vs lcd 2f (70ohms) be easier to drive which means that there should be sufficient power to prevent clipping?

I think you found something. I had cracking in the left channel. Headphone SennheiserHD600. Peq profile Amirs HD650 peqprofile.

Although the profile has a maximal gain of 5 dB I had set the Preamplification to -9dB to assure extra headroom for for inter sample overs.
I was playing Vaughan Williams Concerto for Basstuba. Serious cracking in the left channel not playing super loud . I had originally set the gain to HIGH, but i accidentally pressed the C1 button, resetting the lot. After restoring the gain setting to HIGH and the active outputs to only LO SE and HPA SE the cracking disappeared.
So it seems there is some interference between the peq preamplification and the gain setting for the output. Counter intuitive as one would expect earlier clipping with higher gain settings.

Correction:

I played the once more just to check. Helas, the cracking is still present but less intrusive. There is mo cracking when playing over LO SE output, only when using the headphone HPA LO.

The record is:

Vaughan Williams Symphonies Previn BMG-RCA RED SEAL 82876 …​

Concerto for bass tuba and orchestra.

CD 4 track 10.

For completeness I checked if cracking occurs with PEQ disabled and it does. Seems that the DX5 II cannot drive a HD600 under all circomstances.

I have sufficient peq slots left, so I will try stacking some high pass filters in the 5, 10 , 15 Hz region.

This attempt failed. Lowest corner frequency is 20 Hz. Removed the 25 Hz low shelf for the time being.

I threw the track into MasVis

Doesn't look like DC, but the cracking is definitely at the two places where the left channel enveloppe hits the frame.
Would these be those famous Intersample overs ?

Sorry Folks!

Hope this is the last update.

I connected the headphone to the headphone output of the Marantz ND8006 I m using as a transport.
And YES!! cracking at same locations as when playing through the topping.
So I fear I wrongly I pointed my finger to the Topping.

Finally I played the track through the DAC in the Maranz. And Yes cracking.
The difference being only that through the headphone outputs of the Topping the cracks are sharp and clear and through the other outputs more subdued and muffled.

Sorry again for make this rake.

Perhaps some of the other owners with the cracking problems could do the same analysis on their offending sourve material.

 

[de grave]

It’s very strange that it happens even with a brand new unit. Have you tried testing with other headphones, different cables, and both balanced and unbalanced outputs? What headphones are you using? Actual unit serial? On side of the case under qrcode

My planar headphones work perfectly with my player; it's not the headphones or the cables that are the problem. I have the same problem with other headphones, but it's less pronounced. The other outputs work fine, but they'll obviously degrade as they did with the previous unit, and this is most noticeable with planar headphones, which require high current. The DX5 II clearly has some serious circuitry issues.

 

[ohezeba]

My planar headphones work perfectly with my player; it's not the headphones or the cables that are the problem. I have the same problem with other headphones, but it's less pronounced. The other outputs work fine, but they'll obviously degrade as they did with the previous unit, and this is most noticeable with planar headphones, which require high current. The DX5 II clearly has some serious circuitry issues.

It would be interesting to know the serial number of both units, or at least the latest one, to check if you've been given one from the same batch or a recent one

 

[de grave]

It would be interesting to know the serial number of both units, or at least the latest one, to check if you've been given one from the same batch or a recent one

Most likely from the same batch, the firmware on the devices was 1.7x

 

[Balu]

I am reading this thread for a while now, and you are making me worried. I bought my Topping DX5 II in December, it came with the 1.78 firmware, I updated it to the latest version, and it works fine, but now I am worried that over time it might fail and take my headphone with it. How likely is that?

 

[ngs428]

I am reading this thread for a while now, and you are making me worried. I bought my Topping DX5 II in December, it came with the 1.78 firmware, I updated it to the latest version, and it works fine, but now I am worried that over time it might fail and take my headphone with it. How likely is that?

Low. They probably sold 1,000’s of these units and there are what a couple reports on this forum of issues. And that is only if you have multiple headphones plugged it at one time. Update and enjoy the music.

 

[Morla]

And pay the tax by mentioning the serial numbers

 

[Deleted member 93967]

Low. They probably sold 1,000’s of these units and there are what a couple reports on this forum of issues. And that is only if you have multiple headphones plugged it at one time. Update and enjoy the music.

Regarding reading the entire thread or go for a deep research, assuming based on the last few pages readed is a pretty comedy honorable scientific proof.
My unit arrived defective; you don't need to be a genius to understand the risks of multiple connections on an amplifier, since heat is not a good friend in high-fidelity audio components.
Made all measurements to diagnose the problems in my unit; amplification circuits malfunction with no spare parts for maintence nor diagrams for rebuilding.
Topping don't provided the required export custom documentation for the refund on their official chinese marketplace sell store, nor sell spare parts. Pure and simple, they count on people who buy Cha Bu Duo, because they will rebuy again.
My point is simple: Solutions, no assumptions.
Guess my 2 cents are done..
Patience is a virtue.

 

[Interstellar]

Hey guys, seemingly different issue with my unit. Suddenly it won't turn on properly. When I power it on, the TOPPING logo flutters, then seems to shut down and restart. I get the topping logo over and over every few seconds.

I can get to the firmware update menu and it connects to my computer just fine. I was able to update the firmware to the latest with no issue. Unfortuantely it didn't solve the issue. I don't use it for its amp stage, I just pass it through to my chosen amp (Niimbus US5 Pro).

Is she cooked? Is there a way to hard reset it perhaps? I looked through the menu but didn't see a way to do so spelled out.

edit: serial starts with 251157xxxx

Any thoughts from anyone?

If I'm the only one to report this, I suppose it is what it is and maybe a defective unit. Just thought I'd get some backup from an active thread. But there may be no backup to be had.

 

[Mocie]

Topping don't provided the required export custom documentation for the refund on their official chinese marketplace sell store, nor sell spare parts. Pure and simple, they count on people who buy Cha Bu Duo, because they will rebuy again.

This has been their business MO for a while now - shit that measures well, but is functionally e-waste so you have a reason to buy again every year or two.

Any thoughts from anyone?

If I'm the only one to report this, I suppose it is what it is and maybe a defective unit. Just thought I'd get some backup from an active thread. But there may be no backup to be had.

Maybe its the PSU? Have you tried using a different power source yet, I'd do that first to be safe before concluding it's the unit. The fact you can run the firmware through it fine makes me think the unit may not be the issue.