Topping DX5 II

[Spiral_Architect]

I don't find they sound the same at all, oddly, as I mentioned. I actually find the DX3 Pro+ to sound better on my Sundara/Edition XS. The amount of detail it can portray is insane and the extra kick in the bass is very nice to have. I played around with EQ on the DX5II and the Dynamic setting was the best for my music and was an improvement, but I still like the DX3Pro+ sound more.

Since you had crackling/distortion in your unit immediately after this initial testing, it is not unlikely that it was defective from the start ? I find it hard to believe that there could be a massive audible difference between two competent and fairly high-powered amps. They should both essentially be "wire with gain", within the limits of reasonable listening levels and usage. Just like I hear no difference at all between for example my L30 and the DX5ii.

 

[onethreetwowaitthatswrong]

I don't find they sound the same at all, oddly, as I mentioned. I actually find the DX3 Pro+ to sound better on my Sundara/Edition XS. The amount of detail it can portray is insane and the extra kick in the bass is very nice to have. I played around with EQ on the DX5II and the Dynamic setting was the best for my music and was an improvement, but I still like the DX3Pro+ sound more.

This is very amusing to me, since I've moved from DX3pro+ to DX5II, and felt a huge improvement in my hp sound. Though the reason is in all probabilities because it allowed me to use a 4.4 cable instead of the 3.5 of the DX3pro+, thus having more power and feeling a better sound - even though I dont feel like I listen louder than I did before.

 

[satanicek666]

well I also switched from dx3pro+ to dx5 II and I am extremely satisfied. I use Meze 99 classics V2 headphones and mackie mr524. of course the mr524 came to life because I have them connected via xlr. in dx3pro+ they were connected via rca and made hum and noise. as for the sound of Meze V2, I hear an improvement. the sound is stronger and denser. it is more fun for me. in dx3pro+ it was very clean and analytical for me. in dx5 II it is also more fun for me with a larger soundstage and the bass is also more precise... for me it is a total improvement and works as a unit of the entire dx5 II. I have Meze V2 connected via 6.35mm

 

[pacman]

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.

It's been like this for years.

I wonder when people will figure Topping is a big scam.

 

[satanicek666]

but guys I have a question. is it normal that when increasing the volume from -25 to 0 volume step 0.5 or 1 I hear a crack in the headphones after every one step or half a step when there is a silent passage in the song??? does it only happen when I increase the volume otherwise it is silent

 

[Svend P]

That said, I got the DX3 Pro+ again and same thing, the sound is better to me. Tighter, snappier bass with more impact, mids are present but not pushed forward, highs are detailed but not harsh and there's a bigger sense of air. Soundstage seems wider and I can clearly hear small details within the stage more easily.

I really like the sound on this thing. I don't think I'll be trying a DX5 II again - even when it was working normally, the sound was incredibly boring and dull to me.

How can DAC's have a SOUND SIGNATURE if they measure as transparent?

I know there are people out there that think cables affect sound, which is much worse, but there really is no response to something like that, but just to smile and nod. But what about people who talk about DACS as if they were headphone drivers or speakers, and talk about the SOUNDSTAGE...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[woodbar]

I agree that all DACs SHOULD sound the same BUT you are not just listening to the DAC, you are also listening to the way it has been designed to work with and how it is implemented in that particular unit and the associated electronics.

 

[Bleib]

Ultra low distortion and noise and OK frequency response should make it just about impossible to hear any differences (some filters are not exemplary though)
I still say that people tend to prefer the one that plays slightly louder

 

[Segfault]

I keep buying Topping products because they measure so well, but the quality control is not always great and the reviews on ASR are not long-term reviews.

My DX3 Pro+ would get in a non working state every few months requiring unplugging the power cord to function.

My L50 has a similar issue that requires setting volume to lowest value and then unplugging power cord to fix and had to have power brick replaced at one point as welI.

I bought a used PA5 before reading the ASR review comments and seeing an extremely high reported failure rate (would have been great if the review mentioned this but it never got updated).

I don't tend to experience these problems with other companies.

Fingers crossed, my DX5 II hasn't had any wierd issues yet.

 

[xmagicalmasterman]

All I can say is the DX3 Pro+ sounds better than the DX5 II. Was the DX5 II I had defective from the start? Maybe - but I wouldn't say so based on the sound I heard, until the defect became completely obvious and it ruined the music completely(sounded like static from an old TV). Anyway, I'll be keeping the DX3 Pro+, even if I'm inclined to honestly not deal with Topping again, as this was a bad experience. At least I have 30 days to see if anything goes wrong with this DX3.

 

[satanicek666]

but guys I have a question. is it normal that when increasing the volume from -25 to 0 volume step 0.5 or 1 I hear a crack in the headphones after every one step or half a step when there is a silent passage in the song??? does it only happen when I increase the volume otherwise it is silent

is it normal???

 

[Spiral_Architect]

is it normal???

On my unit it does not happen. Many issues appear to be completely random. I have not encountered many of the glitches mentioned in this thread. Currenty I'm on a pretty old firmware revision and I am not updating because everything works as expected. But the set of functionality is very rich. So I assume there could be some specific set of parameters or usage patterns that result in problems.

 

[satanicek666]

but is it a recklamation? or does it not matter? I don't know what to do with it....? The louder I turn it up, the more I hear it. It happens from about -25db to 0. I hear a slight popping after each step of increase.

 

[Spiral_Architect]

but is it a recklamation? or does it not matter? I don't know what to do with it....? The louder I turn it up, the more I hear it. It happens from about -25db to 0. I hear a slight popping after each step of increase.

Does it happen regardless of source ad of the selected headphone output ? i use USB, Bluetooth and use (one at a time) all outputs, including line out, and do not hear any unwanted noise when adjusting the volume in any adjustment range. So it's definitely not normal.

 

[G-rig]

I keep buying Topping products because they measure so well, but the quality control is not always great and the reviews on ASR are not long-term reviews.

Topping seems to always come up as a recommended chifi brand with great specs on paper. Always has me worried about reliability issues, QC and weird niggles. The price has really crept up as well.

I'm still using a ifi zen DAC v1 for desktop (connected to THX 789). I've been tempted to change it for a while on and off for something 'better', not really a fan of the quirky design any more and would rather ESS chips. It does seem to go well with the HP amp though, where topping may be too clinical, harsh or less fun.

I will look up the two models you've mentioned, just need to check the prices. Noticed the DX3pro+ has no balanced outputs. The dx5 ii is about A$500. I've got an rme adi2fs but it's in another setup (considering doing away with it for near field only in which case I could repurpose it but not sure).

Hopefully your issue is fixed, warranty exchange?

 

[G-rig]

I bought one 7 months ago and quickly returned it due to various bugs. I am thinking about buying one again. I haven't read the 130+ pages of discussion. Could someone please lemme know if the current firmware is stable? Any notable flaws?

I have just started looking up the DX5 ii and already hear about these topping bugs on last page of this thread. Looks great on paper, two way Bluetooth would be handy (but is only a receiver).

I returned a topping unit in the past via Amazon, luckily I got a refund after complaining, instead of waiting for them to receive it back in China.

 

[Bleib]

Do we know if they are still developing for cellphone app support?
Seems they got E50 II functioning pretty fast..

 

[Mocie]

Do we know if they are still developing for cellphone app support?
Seems they got E50 II functioning pretty fast..

They're about to drop a $1250 amp/DAC AIO at CanJam Dubai, based on that, the E50 II and the lack of customer support over DX5II issues I'd say abandonware seems to be in it's near future.

 

[jodrim]

Do we know if they are still developing for cellphone app support?
Seems they got E50 II functioning pretty fast..

The Topping Home Android app APK has the manual PDF and an image of the Topping DX5 II inside it so hopefully soon

Edit: Searching some of the source code files there are multiple functions and enums defined for the DX5 II like inputs, outputs, multi function keys, screen brightness, PCM filter settings, volume memory, volume steps, gain settings, polarity, PEQ memory options, power trigger, themes, language settings. So it seems quite a bit of work has been done at least

 

[Bauhaus]

Still waiting for the iOS version of it