Topping DX5 II

[WondrousHippo]

Any idea whether this has a passthrough function like the L50?

NVM, I realized it probably doesn't need a passthrough... guessing I'd just need to toggle between HPA output to RCA/TRS/XLR external amp output.

Yep, exactly. At least from my experience with the EX5 and the L70, the device remembers volume levels between outputs.

Anybody have any clue when this thing is supposed to drop? I'm tired of dealing with software EQ on my Mac Mini M4, which basically freaks out whenever I hop into a videoconferencing call.

 

[Bleib]

Yep, exactly. At least from my experience with the EX5 and the L70, the device remembers volume levels between outputs.

Anybody have any clue when this thing is supposed to drop? I'm tired of dealing with software EQ on my Mac Mini M4, which basically freaks out whenever I hop into a videoconferencing call.

Around end of March. 3 years since the release of the original DX5

 

[ziggurcat]

Yep, exactly. At least from my experience with the EX5 and the L70, the device remembers volume levels between outputs.

Anybody have any clue when this thing is supposed to drop? I'm tired of dealing with software EQ on my Mac Mini M4, which basically freaks out whenever I hop into a videoconferencing call.

I would also like to know if they made it so you can have different EQ profiles depending on your output.

 

[WondrousHippo]

Around end of March. 3 years since the release of the original DX5

Oh, perfect!

I would also like to know if they made it so you can have different EQ profiles depending on your output.

Not sure but I believe the D50 III supports presets with different EQ profiles at the very least, just wish the remote would have more preset options; I need at least three, myself.

 

[ziggurcat]

Not sure but I believe the D50 III supports presets with different EQ profiles ...

It does not, unfortunately.

EDIT: I should clarify that you can set two different "presets", but you can only have one EQ calibration. What I am meaning/hoping for with the DX5 II is that you can have an EQ calibration for headphones, and one for speakers.

 

[nice-n-easy]

The Topping DX5 II specs look very similar to SMSL RAW-MDA1 which retails for $279.99. If they price it for $299 it sounds about right.

 

[ziggurcat]

Well, I'm hoping that a review with measurements can be published reasonably quick upon release because I would like to know how the HPA is in comparison to the L50. I can probably guess that the DAC section will be comparable to the D50III since it will use the same, dual ESS9038Q2M chips.

 

[Lupin]

Looks like an interesting new addition, actually something new feature (all inputs PEQ) instead of just a bit higher SINAD.

Personally, i feel though that Topping should really rethink their naming scheme. Just slapping numbers and plusses behind an already existing model number doesn't really help to easily differentiate the product stack.

 

[nice-n-easy]

I have a few questions about Topping PEQ features.
Can you make PEQ adjustments directly from the unit menu or can you only make adjustments from the Topping Tune software?
What’s the better option for audio fidelity? Making PEQ adjustments from the Wiim player or from the Topping DAC?

 

[evanft]

Me watching this thread for any news on this unit.

https://imgur.com/IEcSB

 

[Bleib]

I have a few questions about Topping PEQ features.
Can you make PEQ adjustments directly from the unit menu or can you only make adjustments from the Topping Tune software?
What’s the better option for audio fidelity? Making PEQ adjustments from the Wiim player or from the Topping DAC?

Very likely with just Topping Tune.
We don't know yet if DX5 II tuning does a better job than D50 III

 

[nice-n-easy]

Very likely with just Topping Tune.
We don't know yet if DX5 II tuning does a better job than D50 III

That’s a bummer because I only have MAC and Topping Tune is only available for Windows. They should create an APP for menu accessibility and making PEQ adjustments. At the very least macOS access.

Is it better to make PEQ adjustments from the Wiim unit or Topping DAC?

 

[ziggurcat]

That’s a bummer because I only have MAC and Topping Tune is only available for Windows. They should create an APP for menu accessibility and making PEQ adjustments. At the very least macOS access.

Is it better to make PEQ adjustments from the Wiim unit or Topping DAC?

I'm in the same boat. I did ask them if they were ever going to have Topping Tune for Mac, and the canned response I got seemed to indicate that it will happen at some point.

It probably doesn't matter where the EQ is applied, just don't do it on both at the same time

 

[profligate]

Why are they advertising this with an iPad in those shots if you can’t at least use a browser tab to access the EQ, etc? Weird.

 

[Berwhale]

That’s a bummer because I only have MAC and Topping Tune is only available for Windows. They should create an APP for menu accessibility and making PEQ adjustments. At the very least macOS access.

They could use the approach Qudelix took with their Chrome extension, I believe that works on Windows and Macs.

 

[ziggurcat]

Why are they advertising this with an iPad in those shots if you can’t at least use a browser tab to access the EQ, etc? Weird.

I'm guessing it's because they're showing that you can use it as a DAC for your tablet?

 

[profligate]

I'm guessing it's because they're showing that you can use it as a DAC for your tablet?

I guess, i’m sure the marketing images are a bit of a canard just to make the device seem modern and high end. Or maybe to highlight that it can be plugged in with one cable and even run from usb-power delivery rather than a data and separate power cable.

My point is that if some people are using this with an android tablet, some with an iPad, some with a windows machine and some with a mac - that’s basically going to be only 1 out of 4 use cases that are going to be able to adjust the PEQ? (If other people in this thread are to be believed about the Topping EQ software.) Seems limiting - I don’t have a windows computer personally.

 

[LearningToSmile]

I would also like to know if they made it so you can have different EQ profiles depending on your output.

I'm curious about it as well, if it has that ability(or at least multiple presets for the EQ that are somewhat easy to switch along with the output) I'd actually consider getting one. I use multiple DACs on my PC specifically so I can have automated EQ switching for different devices, and this would get rid of the need to do that. And the price is rumored to be reasonable, AND it comes in white? Would be a day one buy.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

Global PEQ is amazing. Not even most premium DACs have this and I expect this to be around $500.

The WiiM Ultra has 10 channel stereo PEQ. It is transparent as a DAC, and you get pre amp and streaming capabilities thrown in. For £350-ish. You can also create custom pre-sets to easily switch between custom EQs for different headphones, though I'd recommend a separate amp for that.

 

[Berwhale]

My point is that if some people are using this with an android tablet, some with an iPad, some with a windows machine and some with a mac - that’s basically going to be only 1 out of 4 use cases that are going to be able to adjust the PEQ? (If other people in this thread are to be believed about the Topping EQ software.) Seems limiting - I don’t have a windows computer personally.

So any product relying on the Topping Tune app for full functionality is probably not right for you at the moment. It takes time and money to develop software and Topping is only a small company, so I'm not surprised that they are initially focusing on a version of the app for one OS. You could try messaging them and asking what their plans are for supporting other OSes.