Topping DX5 II

[knevgen]

Unless you're using toslink to solve a ground noise issue - but then a USB isolator would be another option, if slightly more expensive.

Since i cant hear any ground noice i will just keep using USB then..
Will be picking up my DX5II tomorrow evening.

 

[ziggurcat]

What color are the DX5 IIs that are having issues? I mostly see white or silver ones I haven’t seen a black one with problems. Also, as far as I understand, there doesn’t seem to be an issue unless the 4.4mm output is used.

I have a silver model. Outside of the issues that can be solved with FW. I hadn't had any problems with the 4.4mm headphone connection. I switched to using the 4-pin XLR long before I even heard about the circumstances people have posted about.

 

[ziggurcat]

Hello, i assume you are using SPDIF not from PC?
If the source is PC.. I figured, with USB you get access to Topping Tune and Dolby Atmos for Headphones so there is no reason to use SPDIF at all?

I run USB out from my Mac Mini to a D10s that is being used in bridge mode as a USB DDC, then I run TOSLINK out from that to the DX5 II. It is connected that way to eliminate the data streaming popping because there's no way on MacOS to set that to be always on (it's wake up/go to sleep whenever needed by default).

I still have the DX5 II connected to my Mac via USB so that I can update FW, and use Topping Tune (having the USB input activated in the DX5 II settings is not required, as I found out).

In an ideal world, I would just run USB straight tot he DX5 II, but until Topping/Apple/XMOS does something about the data streaming issue for MacOS users, that's the way it has to be.

 

[ziggurcat]

Could try lowering data/samplerate to 44.1khz or 48khz. idk.
Shorter/up to spec data cables if that is part of the issue.

I just tested SPDIF mode 2 with the DAC set to 48kHz (that's the max it can be for using the crossfeed, and I haven't detected any stuttering, which tells me that it's just not compatible with higher sample rates (whereas mode 1 doesn't have any issues even at 384kHz).

 

[G-rig]

better off using USB, isn't Optical capped at 48kHz (like you said).

Just looking at this Topping Home App - couldn't add the device, turns out compatible Models = E50 II.
The Topping Tune desktop app looks more promising - what are people using it for, to tune headphone EQ? I heard it's possible to apply at the hardware level (the source is Tidal Exclusive mode).

Ps. Doesn't seem like you can expand threads to search in one page like on other forums (archive mode)??

 

[Hoeksel]

I noticed that when my Mac sleeps over night my Mac has crashed the next morning ever since the DX5 II is introduced. Also when connected to my CalDigit TS5 docking station. My friend ChatGPT tells me this is a known issue from Topping (and other DAC brands) regarding something the DAC does even when powered off related to USB/TS power state of the Mac. Is this recognizable and is there a workaround?

 

[ziggurcat]

better off using USB, isn't Optical capped at 48kHz (like you said)

Ps. what the name of the topping app in the play store?

TOSLINK is capped at 192kHz, but since the crossfeed feature is capped at 48kHz, then it doesn't matter whether it's USB or TOSLINK. SPDIF mode 1 is fine, and it's where I have always had it set. I only just checked mode 2 with the lower sample rate that is necessary for crossfeed because I asked if there was ever a situation where there'd be no stutter on either mode, and it was suggested to see if a lower sample rate did the trick. Turns out a lower sample rate does the trick.

As I mentioned in a reply above: TOSLINK is necessary for me to eliminate a data streaming pop (which only happens with the USB connection) for Mac users because there are no drivers to set the data streaming to be always on (a well-documented problem that isn't specific to Topping or this particular device).

And I wasn't even really complaining about a problem. SPDIF mode was only brought up because a different user had asked me if anyone had responded to my inquiry (from probably 6 months ago) on what the actual difference between mode 1/mode 2 was. I haven't had too many DACs, and this was the first one that offered two different modes.

The app is called Topping Home.

 

[ziggurcat]

I noticed that when my Mac sleeps over night my Mac has crashed the next morning ever since the DX5 II is introduced. Also when connected to my CalDigit TS5 docking station. My friend ChatGPT tells me this is a known issue from Topping (and other DAC brands) regarding something the DAC does even when powered off related to USB/TS power state of the Mac. Is this recognizable and is there a workaround?

I've never had any crashes, but I've always connected my DACs direct to the Mac, not through a USB hub.

 

[cjmanar]

Help! I didn't know if my Hifiman Arya Stealth is the one fucked up or my DX5 II.

Using both 4.4mm and 6.3mm, I am hearing a distortion or some buzzing during bass hits (listening to Popular by The Weeknd to test it). Kinda weird as if I put my other headphones loke the MDR MV1s, I have no issue!

But when I use my Arya Stealth on my cheapo xduoo stack (MT 602 and MU 601), the Aryas have no issue with distortion at all.

 

[rafaunivega]

Help! I didn't know if my Hifiman Arya Stealth is the one fucked up or my DX5 II.

Using both 4.4mm and 6.3mm, I am hearing a distortion or some buzzing during bass hits (listening to Popular by The Weeknd to test it). Kinda weird as if I put my other headphones loke the MDR MV1s, I have no issue!

But when I use my Arya Stealth on my cheapo xduoo stack (MT 602 and MU 601), the Aryas have no issue with distortion at all.

That was the first symptom with my DX5 II.
When I tried the Arya Stealth again on 4.4, the left driver died.
Then I tried the other headphones and killed them too.
If I were you, I wouldn't connect them until I could check outputs with a tester.

 

[ziggurcat]

Help! I didn't know if my Hifiman Arya Stealth is the one fucked up or my DX5 II.

Using both 4.4mm and 6.3mm, I am hearing a distortion or some buzzing during bass hits (listening to Popular by The Weeknd to test it). Kinda weird as if I put my other headphones loke the MDR MV1s, I have no issue!

But when I use my Arya Stealth on my cheapo xduoo stack (MT 602 and MU 601), the Aryas have no issue with distortion at all.

What FW are you running on the DX5 II?

I only ask because there were a few FWs where one might experience some heavy distortion under certain conditions (these were issues I reported to Topping myself).

 

[Eldus]

That was the first symptom with my DX5 II.
When I tried the Arya Stealth again on 4.4, the left driver died.
Then I tried the other headphones and killed them too.
If I were you, I wouldn't connect them until I could check outputs with a tester.

Was there an indication in hindsight that the 4.4mm balanced cable was not completely snapped into place? Any extra force needed to 'click' into place?

 

[ziggurcat]

Was there an indication in hindsight that the 4.4mm balanced cable was not completely snapped into place? Any extra force needed to 'click' into place?

That was going to be my next quesiton.

 

[cjmanar]

That was the first symptom with my DX5 II.
When I tried the Arya Stealth again on 4.4, the left driver died.
Then I tried the other headphones and killed them too.
If I were you, I wouldn't connect them until I could check outputs with a tester.

Damn, I feel like only the planar ones have this issue with them.

 

[cjmanar]

What FW are you running on the DX5 II?

I only ask because there were a few FWs where one might experience some heavy distortion under certain conditions (these were issues I reported to Topping myself).

Originally from 1.9 but then I literally had it update to 2.0 last night because of the issue.

 

[ziggurcat]

Originally from 1.9 but then I literally had it update to 2.0 last night because of the issue.

Yeah, 1.93 had a distortion issue that I reported to them, which they fixed with 2.07

 

[cjmanar]

Yeah, 1.93 had a distortion issue that I reported to them, which they fixed with 2.07

Unfortunately, it is still the same for me. I still have the issue after the updating.

 

[ziggurcat]

Unfortunately, it is still the same for me. I still have the issue after the updating.

Did you happen to do anything with either the SPDIF mode or UAC? What is your source (i.e. connected to a Mac/PC/gaming console)? Is it just the HPA output?

 

[cjmanar]

Did you happen to do anything with either the SPDIF mode or UAC? What is your source (i.e. connected to a Mac/PC/gaming console)? Is it just the HPA output?

I'm at UAC 2.0, connected through my PC.

 

[Captain Thunderpants]

Damn, I feel like only the planar ones have this issue with them.

When my unit burned I would experience this only on balanced HPA output and only higher volume, starting at -26db or so on high gain, which only planars would take without destroying my ears. At lower volume there was no distortion.