Topping DX5 II

[Jimster480]

On the contrary, I’ve been wanting a DAC to do this (and have a sub out) for W-A-A-A-Y before I wanted a streamer.

If you have a DAC which changes your 0s and 1s to analogue sound, and you want EQ to either correct errors in the frequency of your speakers/headphones or caused by your room, why wouldn’t you want to do that in your DAC?

I'm not saying I don't want that feature in a DAC; I'm saying that outputting via Coax with PEQ just isn't really a job that a DAC would do..... now today that we have hit the limit of DAC performance for the past 5 years.... these other "features" are being added to some products. Prior to that it basically didn't exist.

A box like this that does it all definitely is a nice touch, especially for a price of $300 and with that I think Topping really will hit it out of the park in terms of features and value.

I've personally used PEQ in Equalify for the past 8 years (now the whole program is gone due to Spotify getting rid of 32b libs and blocking extensions) so I would "need" a solution like this if I didn't find another software one.

 

[jonwb]

Regarding the DX5 II, does anyone know if a "preamp" feature will be implemented in its design?

 

[Jimster480]

It might limit its capacity - like the D50 III outputs a max 32-bit 192kHz if PEQ in enabled - but it won't limit it to specific outputs. I will be happy to be proven wrong if you are able to provide an example of a DAC with PEQ functionality limiting what outputs it applies its PEQ filters.

This means the PEQ is being done in the XMOS Firmware and not in another component of the DAC. I suppose that means that SMSL Can make its PO100 have PEQ and feed into everything.

 

[ziggurcat]

Regarding the DX5 II, does anyone know if a "preamp" feature will be implemented in its design?

Most likely since it has - what looks like - a volume knob.

 

[Berwhale]

I think we have a problem with mixing marketing and functional terms in this thread!

DAC is a Digital to Analogue Convertor. If you add a volume control, then it has some Pre-Amp functionality. If you add a headphone output, then it has Headphone Amp functionality and if you add PEQ, then you are adding DSP functionality.

The problem is that all of these 'functionalities' can be separate components in their own right. Topping would never market the DX5 II as a DAC/HP Amp/Pre-Amp/DSP, it's too much of a mouthful, so DAC & HP Amp is the most you are likely to get and Shenzhen Audio will still insist on categorizing it as a DAC!

 

[Jimster480]

I think we have a problem with mixing marketing and functional terms in this thread!

DAC is a Digital to Analogue Convertor. If you add a volume control, then it has some Pre-Amp functionality. If you add a headphone output, then it has Headphone Amp functionality and if you add PEQ, then you are adding DSP functionality.

The problem is that all of these 'functionalities' can be separate components in their own right. Topping would never market the DX5 II as a DAC/HP Amp/Pre-Amp/DSP, it's too much of a mouthful, so DAC & HP Amp is the most you are likely to get and Shenzhen Audio will still insist on categorizing it as a DAC!

This is exactly what my argument was some posts above.

 

[Berwhale]

This is exactly what my argument was some posts above.

I know, I thought it was worth restating

 

[RHO]

I think we have a problem with mixing marketing and functional terms in this thread!

How would you call a car with a radio onboard? And also with AC? Maybe add BT to make phone calls... what's it called now?
All this on top of being able to transport you from point A to point B without the need of (meaningful) physical exertion. You surely cannot call this a car anymore!

 

[Jimster480]

How would you call a car with a radio onboard? And also with AC? Maybe add BT to make phone calls... what's it called now?
All this on top of being able to transport you from point A to point B without the need of (meaningful) physical exertion. You surely cannot call this a car anymore!

Those are called an Infotainment system inside of a car. They have a name and their whole entire industry.

 

[ziggurcat]

I think we have a problem with mixing marketing and functional terms in this thread!

DAC is a Digital to Analogue Convertor. If you add a volume control, then it has some Pre-Amp functionality. If you add a headphone output, then it has Headphone Amp functionality and if you add PEQ, then you are adding DSP functionality.

The problem is that all of these 'functionalities' can be separate components in their own right. Topping would never market the DX5 II as a DAC/HP Amp/Pre-Amp/DSP, it's too much of a mouthful, so DAC & HP Amp is the most you are likely to get and Shenzhen Audio will still insist on categorizing it as a DAC!

I mean... you could use the DX5 II solely as a DAC, and ignore the HPA/preamp/PEQ functionality entirely. If the option is there, the first thing I do is change it from preamp mode to DAC mode, so that's the primary function of my D50 III. I only just started using the PEQ function after two or three months of use. The D10s is really the only one I've had where it had no other job other than being a DAC.

Who knows, maybe the DX5 II won't have a preamp mode, and the volume knob is only functional when using the HPA, but I doubt that.

Topping will market the DX5 II as a DAC/amp combo like every other DX model they have on their website. I don't see anyone being confused about marketing/functionality terms. I think you can still refer to the DX5 II as a DAC, if that's where you think the confusion lies because that's kinda sorta the main functionality of the device.

 

[jonwb]

Most likely since it has - what looks like - a volume knob.

Meant to say "preamp mode", similar to a L30 II or L70.

 

[ziggurcat]

Meant to say "preamp mode", similar to a L30 II or L70.

I can't imagine the DX5 II not having a preamp mode option in the settings.

 

[Jimster480]

I mean... you could use the DX5 II solely as a DAC, and ignore the HPA/preamp/PEQ functionality entirely. If the option is there, the first thing I do is change it from preamp mode to DAC mode, so that's the primary function of my D50 III. I only just started using the PEQ function after two or three months of use. The D10s is really the only one I've had where it had no other job other than being a DAC.

Who knows, maybe the DX5 II won't have a preamp mode, and the volume knob is only functional when using the HPA, but I doubt that.

Topping will market the DX5 II as a DAC/amp combo like every other DX model they have on their website. I don't see anyone being confused about marketing/functionality terms. I think you can still refer to the DX5 II as a DAC, if that's where you think the confusion lies because that's kinda sorta the main functionality of the device.

Sure, you can solely use it as a DAC, but I think that the entire argument here is just the features that are being packed into something called a DAC only. When the reality is that it's not actually a DAC, it's more becoming a preamp, a DAC, a headphone amplifier, and a DSP box all in one. We don't really have a name or category for these units as there are other companies like RMI selling the same thing as DAC/Amp combos.

To be fair, my original DX7 was a DAC with a headphone amplifier and I'm pretty sure also a preamp if I used the output of the RCA only.
In the last years though, a lot of higher-end DAC units were also preamps, as is the case with my D70S and my SMSL SU8.
Even my Topping EX5 has preamp features on all of its outputs.
DSP is now a new category of features to add to the boxes often called DACs today. Just like there are some boxes with 12v triggers as well...
Maybe someone should come up with a new word for these "Combo Units".

 

[RHO]

Those are called an Infotainment system inside of a car. They have a name and their whole entire industry.

Added functionality, convenience,... Doesn't mean it's not a car anymore or that we have to add stuff to the name.
There are plenty products used in a DAC which are a whole industry in itself and are not part of the semiconductor industry. (Ex.:Connectors) It's still a DAC ... With connectors and a PC board and a display and buttons... and EQ capabilities. Or in short a DAC.
Where do you draw the line? I think there is no real consensus on that.
So I'm perfectly fine with people calling a DAC with added functionality a DAC.

 

[Berwhale]

How would you call a car with a radio onboard? And also with AC? Maybe add BT to make phone calls... what's it called now?
All this on top of being able to transport you from point A to point B without the need of (meaningful) physical exertion. You surely cannot call this a car anymore!

Would you categorize a personal computer as a calculator or typewriter?

 

[Jimster480]

Added functionality, convenience,... Doesn't mean it's not a car anymore or that we have to add stuff to the name.
There are plenty products used in a DAC which are a whole industry in itself and are not part of the semiconductor industry. (Ex.:Connectors) It's still a DAC ... With connectors and a PC board and a display and buttons... and EQ capabilities. Or in short a DAC.
Where do you draw the line? I think there is no real consensus on that.
So I'm perfectly fine with people calling a DAC with added functionality a DAC.

That is just being silly. We aren't calling the product a semiconductor.

 

[Bleib]

The fully balanced TOPPING DX5 II, it features a sleek design and an array of impressive functions. Stay tuned for its upcoming release!

 

[Rednaxela]

Gorgeous! Did you happen to take a picture of its back side?

 

[Bleib]

Gorgeous! Did you happen to take a picture of its back side?

Not my pic. Just posted on FB by Shenzhenaudio

 

[Jimster480]

View attachment 437866
The fully balanced TOPPING DX5 II, it features a sleek design and an array of impressive functions. Stay tuned for its upcoming release!

Any Idea on the date of the release?