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Topping DX5 II

Roland68 said:
Sorry, but I can only laugh at such a statement.
First of all, there are hardly any labels and recording studios that can record DSD512, and even fewer that can process it properly. Furthermore, a large portion of the available DSD512 material is simply upsampled, which is ridiculous.

Secondly, I don't know anyone who can distinguish DSD512 from 96kHz PCM in a blind test. Over the years, we've conducted numerous blind tests, including with musicians, sound engineers, recording engineers, and even conductors. Only two or three of them achieved 6/4 to 7/3, and even then, not reliably. This wouldn't have been possible on a standard hi-fi system.
So, how important is this?

Thirdly and most importantly, DSD512 hasn't been a problem for years, provided you have sufficient processing power. Software like Acourate, among others, is clearly superior to conventional solutions.
But anyone who has ever heard a fully calibrated active system with recordings in CD quality will never give a second thought to something like DSD512 on a normal system.
Click to expand...
With my ears and brain, that has their own particular way of processing sensory input, I have noticed a clear difference between 192KHz and 96kHz from my own recorded material in my bedroom studio. By then I only had AKG headphones, and now I have a better DAC, better headphones (Kennerton Odin Thridis) and better amp (Wavebourn Edelweis-3 6N15N). I also noticed that some DSD files does not sound as good or «magical» as other DSD files. I also found several super high res PCM files, and they clearly sound better than regular files, but none of them sound as good as the best files with DSD.
So yeah, not easy finding good material. To add to problem, my Gustard X16 has clicking noises between DSD songs when using VLC. Using Roon solved the clicking noise, but added something else, like a shimmer over the sound. Not sure what it is. I have not tried Accourate.
 
...I dumped mine...I vastly prefer the aune N7...I don't think that device will play well here...

www.head-fi.org

Aune N7 - Reviews

www.head-fi.org www.head-fi.org
 
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I encountered a not very pleasant phenomenon. I use Fiio FT1 Pro headphones. When I am near Topping at a short distance, a low-frequency background appears in the headphones. It disappears if I touch the Topping body with my hand anywhere. Very unusual. Has anyone encountered a similar phenomenon?
 
ghot said:
I encountered a not very pleasant phenomenon. I use Fiio FT1 Pro headphones. When I am near Topping at a short distance, a low-frequency background appears in the headphones. It disappears if I touch the Topping body with my hand anywhere. Very unusual. Has anyone encountered a similar phenomenon?
Click to expand...
Have you tried it with another DAC/amp? I’ve read about a similar issue reported by other users with fiio planar headphones, and also with the jadeaudio JT7.
It almost seems like the headphone/driver is picking up interference like an antenna. Unfortunately I can’t find the thread anymore, but one user said it happened only on one driver (one side), regardless of swapping L/R or changing the DAC used. I don’t think it was on ASR.
If I remember correctly, there was also some speculation that it could be related to a manufacturing issue, possibly something about imperfect lithography or the magnet assembly.
I can’t vouch for the technical side of it but it stuck with me
 
ghot said:
I encountered a not very pleasant phenomenon. I use Fiio FT1 Pro headphones. When I am near Topping at a short distance, a low-frequency background appears in the headphones. It disappears if I touch the Topping body with my hand anywhere. Very unusual. Has anyone encountered a similar phenomenon?
Click to expand...

I have FT1 headphones (not the Pro), and even with my face within an inch of the DX5 II while wearing my headphones, there's no such phenomenon for me.
 
ohezeba said:
Have you tried it with another DAC/amp? I’ve read about a similar issue reported by other users with fiio planar headphones, and also with the jadeaudio JT7.
It almost seems like the headphone/driver is picking up interference like an antenna. Unfortunately I can’t find the thread anymore, but one user said it happened only on one driver (one side), regardless of swapping L/R or changing the DAC used. I don’t think it was on ASR.
If I remember correctly, there was also some speculation that it could be related to a manufacturing issue, possibly something about imperfect lithography or the magnet assembly.
I can’t vouch for the technical side of it but it stuck with me
Click to expand...
I also think it's the headphones. But how do I understand why that buzzing disappears when I touch the Topping box with hand?
 
ziggurcat said:
I have FT1 headphones (not the Pro), and even with my face within an inch of the DX5 II while wearing my headphones, there's no such phenomenon for me.
Click to expand...
I also have FT1, there are no extraneous sounds in them, I confirm. The problem is with FT1 Pro.
 
ghot said:
I also think it's the headphones. But how do I understand why that buzzing disappears when I touch the Topping box with hand?
Click to expand...

Could be a grounding issue. What connection type are you using? 4-pin XLR, 4.4mm or the 6.35mm?
 
ghot said:
I also think it's the headphones. But how do I understand why that buzzing disappears when I touch the Topping box with hand?
Click to expand...
Try touching the usb ground of any cable connected to the same system and check if the noise disappears.
The real question is why does it happen only with one driver, even when you swap the cables or channels? And above all, try it connected to another DAC/amp, I’d run these tests to rule out that the issue comes from the DX5.
I had a similar problem with a soundid measurement microphone, when the mic or anything else connected to the system wasn’t touched, that interference was picked up. I got it replaced and fortunately the new one didn’t have the same problem.
I never investigated it, I think the issue is very similar. I still believe it stems from production assembly issues, like some sloppy solder joint or something arond that.
 
I often use DX5ii with BT -> connected to phone via LDAC for podcast listening. Lately BT started to act strange. It would often shows as connected on phone, but no signal seen on dx5. (BT source volume was OK, input correctly selected, output as well). Immediately after i unscrew BT antenna, everything works flawlessly (well within limited range).

I see no damage on antenna connecter on both sides, unit was on the table whole time...

So i might have faulty BT antenna or internal RF circuit. Unfortunatelly i don't have another antenna for test at the moment. Anyone with similar experience ?
 
Yep. Another dead DX5 ll here. Bought mine to use it as DAC for active monitors and DAC/amp for planar headphones. DAC part works fine, device itself looks solid and everything was fine day one. Day two comes, after swapping one set of phones to another one I started to hear crackling in left ear. Turned off, on, it didn't disappear. Swapped cable for left and right cup and crackling moved to another ear. Complete power off, factory reset, nothing works. SE headphone output works fine even at high gain up to -6db (afraid to fry my headphones), both SE and balanced line out work without any issue, but 4.4 balanced output at high gain -30dB and higher has heavy crackling and distortion. I'll try to get refund or another unit at retail tomorrow. Big L so far in quality and reliability.
 
Captain Thunderpants said:
Yep. Another dead DX5 ll here. Bought mine to use it as DAC for active monitors and DAC/amp for planar headphones. DAC part works fine, device itself looks solid and everything was fine day one. Day two comes, after swapping one set of phones to another one I started to hear crackling in left ear. Turned off, on, it didn't disappear. Swapped cable for left and right cup and crackling moved to another ear. Complete power off, factory reset, nothing works. SE headphone output works fine even at high gain up to -6db (afraid to fry my headphones), both SE and balanced line out work without any issue, but 4.4 balanced output at high gain -30dB and higher has heavy crackling and distortion. I'll try to get refund or another unit at retail tomorrow. Big L so far in quality and reliability.
Click to expand...
Could you check the serial number on the right side of the case, below the QR code?
I’d like to understand whether it’s from a recent production run or from the same batch that had this issue.
I’ve already noted all the other ones, and as soon as I can I’ll put together a list.
 
Captain Thunderpants said:
Yep. Another dead DX5 ll here. Bought mine to use it as DAC for active monitors and DAC/amp for planar headphones. DAC part works fine, device itself looks solid and everything was fine day one. Day two comes, after swapping one set of phones to another one I started to hear crackling in left ear. Turned off, on, it didn't disappear. Swapped cable for left and right cup and crackling moved to another ear. Complete power off, factory reset, nothing works. SE headphone output works fine even at high gain up to -6db (afraid to fry my headphones), both SE and balanced line out work without any issue, but 4.4 balanced output at high gain -30dB and higher has heavy crackling and distortion. I'll try to get refund or another unit at retail tomorrow. Big L so far in quality and reliability.
Click to expand...

Did you try a completely different cable?
 
ohezeba said:
Could you check the serial number on the right side of the case, below the QR code?
I’d like to understand whether it’s from a recent production run or from the same batch that had this issue.
I’ve already noted all the other ones, and as soon as I can I’ll put together a list.
Click to expand...
FTR, the numbers under the QR code on my unit are 2506572090, and I haven't have any issues with the headphone connections (and I've hot swapped dozens of times).
 
Captain Thunderpants said:
Yep. Another dead DX5 ll here. Bought mine to use it as DAC for active monitors and DAC/amp for planar headphones. DAC part works fine, device itself looks solid and everything was fine day one. Day two comes, after swapping one set of phones to another one I started to hear crackling in left ear. Turned off, on, it didn't disappear. Swapped cable for left and right cup and crackling moved to another ear. Complete power off, factory reset, nothing works. SE headphone output works fine even at high gain up to -6db (afraid to fry my headphones), both SE and balanced line out work without any issue, but 4.4 balanced output at high gain -30dB and higher has heavy crackling and distortion. I'll try to get refund or another unit at retail tomorrow. Big L so far in quality and reliability.
Click to expand...
I think I will stick to XLR and just avoid 4.4 altogether...
 
ziggurcat said:
FTR, the numbers under the QR code on my unit are 2506572090, and I haven't have any issues with the headphone connections (and I've hot swapped dozens of times).
Click to expand...
Serial NumberStatusIssue / NotesDate (Prod./Purch.)Seller / Source
2504xxxxxFine—06/25—
2506572090FineSwapped headphones a lot——
2506573188BurnedHeadphone left distortion07/25Topping Store (Rafa)
2507xxxxxFine—08/25—
25075730XXFine———
2510xxxxxFine—08/25—
2510xxxxxFine—09/25?—
251157xxxxBurned / Cooked / Bricked———
2512574050FineSocket flaky, coax socket undersize???Amazon UK / Topping Audio
2602573**Fine—11/25HiFiGo
2602573434Fine—10–11/25—
2602573762FineMulti headphone 10/25ShenzhenAudio
26025745XXFine—12/25Amazon Ireland
2603****Burned / Cooked / Bricked(NkHz)——
2604573098FineIntersample cracking (NP)11/25–01/26Hifistudio79 (Holland)
260xxxxxxxFineSocks jiggle11–12/25Audiophonics
 
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