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Topping DX5 II

IDK but for example Tanchjim Space is specified at 1.3 uV BAL noisefloor and was measured 91 dB "superb" at 50mV.
So the 1.8uV for the DX5 II should be up there too I suppose.
It's 2025 so I expect good to be at least 94dB @ 50mV. The high gain is powerful enough to cover 100% of the power hungry headphones, so I'd expect their low gain is low enough to cover all the sensitive ones.
DX5II has higher noise floor than old generation DX5, and EX5 (1.5uV, and EX5 was released 4 years ago).
 
I was just gonna post this :cool:

Silver and black is already sold out on the official Topping store :(

Not hard to see why. This is the most exciting DAC in a while. Stupendous performance + features for cheap.

Got my black one on Topping official store.
 
It's 2025 so I expect good to be at least 94dB @ 50mV. The high gain is powerful enough to cover 100% of the power hungry headphones, so I'd expect their low gain is low enough to cover all the sensitive ones.
DX5II has higher noise floor than old generation DX5, and EX5 (1.5uV, and EX5 was released 4 years ago).
It's possible, but we don't yet know if that's the case.
The 50mV measurement is taken at low gain and in SE mode. I haven't seen any measurements for that yet.
 
It's possible, but we don't yet know if that's the case.
The 50mV measurement is taken at low gain and in SE mode. I haven't seen any measurements for that yet.
Topping has that written (as A weighted noise) in their official spec. You don't need to wait for Amir's measurements.
And the higher noise level is probably due to higher output level (2.5V instead of 2V, so the DAC noise is amplified) in low gain, which is also written in their official spec.
 
I purchased the SMSL RAW-MDA1 a few days ago and plan to return it today to buy the DX5 II instead. I’d like to share some thoughts about these two devices.

Regarding the Type-C interface: Personally, I dislike the use of Type-C on non-portable devices like this. Type-C connectors have poor mechanical durability and low impact resistance—if the power cable gets snagged, the port could be ruined instantly. Besides, products like this don’t even require bandwidth beyond USB 2.0.

About the device’s PEQ supporting up to 192 kHz sample rate: My understanding is that this is due to the DSP processing limitations of the XMOS XU316 chip?

Additionally, I confirmed with customer support that the DX5 II’s 4.4mm output is a true balanced differential output. Before buying the MDA1, I also asked their support about this and was told its 4.4mm was differential. But after testing it myself with an oscilloscope, I found it was actually single-ended... This is the main reason I’m returning it for the DX5.

Moreover, the DX5 II has a better-looking UI, a simple spectrum display, VU meters, and PEQ—all of which make it more competitive than the MDA1. With PEQ, I can compensate for the loss of low-frequency perception at lower volumes.

The MDA1’s advantage lies in its lower Full Scale output voltage swing. Though less powerful, watt-level power is already sufficient. So, given the similar Full Scale dynamic range advertised for both devices, the MDA1’s dynamic range should be higher at a given output power. Honestly, I don’t understand why Topping sets power levels so high—maybe to compete in specs wars? But I find it meaningless. My MDR-M1 headphones only need about 10mV to reach my normal listening volume (around 35 dB SPL in a quiet environment). While the DX5 II’s noise floor may be inaudible, I still prefer equipment with better performance.

Some say Chinese people can’t afford Topping products? That’s laughable—brands like Topping, SMSL, and Moondrop sell very well in China, and 1699 RMB is quite affordable. China has a vast community of Hi-Fi enthusiasts. That said, Topping and SMSL might not be the most well-known or top-selling brands here. Scientific-minded audiophiles ("Sci-Fi" enthusiasts) might be a niche group in China (I’m not sure how this compares internationally), and we lack a consistently updated measurement site like ASR. It’s a shame that l7audiolab stopped updating years ago. Here, many tend to prefer products with heavy marketing and stronger "brain burn-in" appeal.

You’re welcome to visit China—it’s very convenient now with the recent visa-free policy.
 
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Besides, I'm wondering how to get a SOTA dynamic range under a given output RMS voltage e.g. 100mV, with adjustable output amplitude, balanced differential output, and perfect channel balance? Can I design a circuit to feed the output from D50ii line out, to quad channel audio-level digital potentiometer, and from the tap to quad channel OPA1612 differential amplification circuit designed with desired gain? The OPA1612s are powered with SOTA LDOs like LT3045 and LT3094. I'm quite worried the potentiometers on the market has poor consistency, which makes channel balance a disaster.
(my previous reply is under approval)
 
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Just purchased silver from Shenzen Audio. The reviews and measurements on the DX5 were stellar, can't imagine this will be any different.
 
I received 20e, but I signed up when the website launched. Don't remember how fast I got the code

I just received a $20 gift card for the Topping site.

I think this is what they mean by 10% off my first order, just as the 'free shipping' is actually $1?!?

Anyhow, this should answer the question of how long it takes to get the email after registering... ~ 8 hours.

I signed up yesterday, and have yet to receive anything from them so far. Nearly 20 hours ago.
 
Now that you mention it...the device is a DAC, pre-amp and PEQ. :)
More like a DAC with volume control. To be a pre-amp it would need to have analog inputs too.
I will be using it this way... most of these HP Amp + DACs have remote controls... most amps do not.

You can probably set the output to be fixed at full if you don't want the volume control that the DAC offers. You certainly can do that on the SMSL RAW-MDA 1 that I'm currently using.

I'm going to upgrade for 2.1 reasons:
  • PEQ so that I no longer need to use a software version on the Mac, which has been buggy for me
  • Trigger in and out
  • True balanced 4.4mm HP amp (though I question if this is a real benefit in practice, hence the 0.1)

I would say (a) coz when the DAC connected to an amp that is at max volume, the DAC with the volume control does act as a pre-amp. The DAC function is just to accept digital sources so the device is a DAC and a pre-amp.
okay thanks, it's just that the website states it's one or the other!! The E70 is the only one that states its a DAC + Pre_amp
pic rel
just want to know if it will do DAC duties and i can adjust the volume to power amps without having to buy an additional pre-amp
 

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When they say "functions as a pre-amp" is a short way of saying "a digital volume control on the DAC output so that a dedicated, analog in analog out preamp is not needed". :)
 
The E70 is the only one that states its a DAC + Pre_amp

My E50 is a DAC + preamp, as is my D50 III.

just want to know if it will do DAC duties and i can adjust the volume to power amps without having to buy an additional pre-amp

Yes. It will. You can either set it to DAC mode, which will fix the DAC's output volume to 100%, and you can adjust the volume manually with your power amp (if it has a gain knob) or you can set it to preamp mode, and then turn your power amp's gain knob to its max, then adjust the volume with the DX5 II's remote/gain knob. Either scenario will work.

I, personally, have my DAC (it is currently the D50 III, but I will get the DX5 II) set to DAC mode, and I control the volume on my PA5 II for speakers, and my L50 when listening with headphones.
 
FOMO dissuaded me from waiting for Amir's probable review, so I ordered a black unit from SZA this morning :) I had a $5 off voucher (which may have been reward points) so cost was $294 (which equates to £218 for me, although I paid with my USD account).
 
I'll wait for a device with the functionality to apply EQ to both channels separately.
For headphones/IEMs the DX5 II should be fine. But for speakers it's not ideal.
 
I'll wait for a device with the functionality to apply EQ to both channels separately.
For headphones/IEMs the DX5 II should be fine. But for speakers it's not ideal.

Unless I missed something, it will have the ability to adjust PEQ on L/R channels separately?

Edit: Because the DX5 II supports PEQ on any input like the higher-tiered Topping DAC (Centaurus), it is likely that independent PEQ for L/R channels is also possible on the DX5 II.
 
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I'll wait for a device with the functionality to apply EQ to both channels separately.
For headphones/IEMs the DX5 II should be fine. But for speakers it's not ideal.
Topping Tune supports independent PEQ for L and R, so I expect this will work for the DX5 II (Maybe it splits the 10 PEQ bands so you only get 5 per channel? My Q5K does something similar)...

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Topping Tune v1.3 Manual: https://dl.topping.audio/um/TOPPING_Tune_V1.3.pdf
 
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Does anyone know the physical dimensions of the DX5 II? I couldn't find them in the official page, unless I'm overlooking something obvious.

Thanks

Nevermind, found it at one of the resellers (Apos Audio): 7.5in x 6.1in x 1.7in (19.0cm x 15.5cm x 4.4cm)
 
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