Topping DX5 II

[Toni71]

I think it's up to Topping to clear things up. As a non-tech, I greatly appreciate your findings. My speakers are expensive, too expensive to risk using with faulty hardware. I don't know if they are at risk. Maybe not, I'll wait for more information.

Oh you misunderstand the topic. We were talking about DC protection for headphones in the built in headphone amplifier.
Your speakers should be protected by your external amplifier (if it's active then internal amplifier) connected to this product, not this product itself.
It's quite normal for a DAC to output DC if the music has DC. Amp is responsible to implement all kinds of protection (DC, overcurrent, overheating, etc).
Most DACs in the market are DC coupled, and do not have the protection feature.

Thank you.

 

[Ropeburn]

Edit: an another, as I write all the time.
I cannot even imagine someone who spends for audio gear does not invest a small amount to get a DMM and learn how to use it for simple sanity measurements.
EVERY device must be checked for DC right out of the box, before entering the chain.

That would be prudent, but you simply cannot expect a regular customer to do that. It's just not a thing. Instead it sounds utterly ridiculous as an expectation. Come on, be realistic. 99% of people will never do anything like that, but rightfully expect their devices they paid good money for to not blow each other up.

You and I and many people here know these things, average hifi Joe doesn't, and neither should he need to. You're supposed to be able to just use a device, without being required to do technical testing 99% of people have no idea about.

 

[audiofun]

Some amps do, some don't.
Hypex NC250MP for example will allow up to 12VDC before protections kick in.
And that 12V will of course be amplified and...

you're only referring to the input spec. In the datasheet it documented the output spec and if it detects 50VDC/100mA it will shut the output off. To me this is fairly reasonable number.

 

[Sokel]

That would be prudent, but you simply cannot expect a regular customer to do that. It's just not a thing. Instead it sounds utterly ridiculous as an expectation. Come on, be realistic. 99% of people will never do anything like that, but rightfully expect their devices they paid good money for to not blow each other up.

Sadly, you're right.
A few will.

And the cases that a badly made (or badly carried/handled/etc) device outputs DC are (or must be) rare.
But THAT rare case burns amps and speakers.

So yes, even if that post urges a single one fewer such spectacular failure, I'm more than happy.

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

My unit is on eBay now

Topping DX5 II | eBay.de

Das Gerät ist eine Woche alt und daher neuwertig. Inklusive Rechnung Ovp und Zubehör.

ebay.us

 

[Sokel]

you're only referring to the input spec. In the datasheet it documented the output spec and if it detects 50VDC/100mA it will shut the output off. To me this is fairly reasonable number.

When the acceptable DC present at speaker terminals are less that 50mV (close to zero really is the norm) these few W sound a little too much.
Wouldn't be better not to allow it?

 

[ngs428]

I went through the last 18 pages (from post #661), basically from where the PEQ Profiles not saving were being reported and summarized all the issues I saw. Only one to date has been addressed by Topping (language on screen setting), so I left that off the list. A few were already noted as reported to Topping. I noted that were applicable. I was looking to place an order for a unit, but held off due to these reports. so I, as many of you are, want to see some resolution to these issues. Pictures may be referenced below, see links for images. Hopefully we see some movement on these bugs, and they don't require physical changes to the unit.

I sent this to Topping at [email protected].

DX5 II Issue Log from Post #661 and Later

Volume Memory Not saved after Power Cycle - LINK

• Software: There is one software bug in volume memory that will forget previous attenuated volume and result 0db volume after power cycle, which will blow up your ears.

Volume Memory - LINK

• It has different remembered volumes for the HPA for the different line-out modes. Those only change when changed in the mode. It turns on using the volume remembered for DAC mode even when Preamp mode is selected. When cycling the modes, it selects the volume for Preamp mode not where is was when switching but where it was when switched to before. To ensure it turns on where it was last set when in Preamp mode, another power cycle is required. Using FW 1.39.

DC Protection Issue

• Hardware: it doesn’t really protect your headphones from DC in your music, which is a basic feature of their earlier products (A30 pro or L30 or L50). LINK
• DX5ii just doesn’t protect your headphones from DC in the music you listen to, a feature their previous models have. Even if I let it play full DC the circuit won’t cut out the output. At this point there is no evidence that it won’t protect your headphones when the unit blows up, and there is no evidence of a design flaw causes it to blow up in the first place. LINK
• Test Method: LINK
  • 1) a music track that previously well known for having high DC --- Blue Light by the band Bloc Party, in the Anti Gravity Remix version. You can listen it here on youtube (caution: it may damage your headphone if you crank volume to loud and your HP amp does not have DC protection feature.)
  • 2) full amplitude DC test signal.
  • DX5II is not able to shutdown the output when such signal is fed in.
• Additional Information: LINK
  • DC is known to damage your headphones and speakers. Music, if masters well, usually has AC contents only. But some poorly mastered music tracks have DC, and a few of them have high level DC.
  • ASR user reported such music content in the Topping A30 Pro thread and it turned out previous Topping devices did pretty well guarding against such poorly mastered music.
    But DX5 had not properly implemented the feature.
  • From early teardown photo (on this Korean site, posted by some user in this thread on page 11) I can see the DC protection circuit on the top right of the 4 pin XLR. So, topping did implement the feature, but it's not working at all.
• If you listen to the track and volume is 10 o’clock on toppings other devices, the protection WILL kick in. Even in low gain it’s high enough to damage sensitive IEMs. LINK

Relay Clicking

• Put the device’s output in single ended headphone out only mode. Do not insert your headphone jack to the unit. Turn the volume to max (or close to max). Play any music you have. Hear relay clicking every single second or so. LINK
• Mine does that all the way down to -11 dB with a 1 kHz 0 dBFS tone. It does it when I change the volume even when turning right at 0 dB. With a headphone connected it does not. With no signal, it also clicks right after connecting or disconnecting a headphone but not if the output is muted. It has stopped some time after the headphone was disconnected depending on the volume setting. After 3 minutes, it is stopped completely. It resumes when a new signal is present. LINK
• Also, in high gain, it does it at 10 dB lower volume already. However, it does not do it on HPA BAL or even HPA ALL even at 0 dB high gain. It does not do it on any version of LO either. Edit. It still clicks in HPA ALL when connecting a headphone to the SE but not when doing it in HPA BAL. LINK

Settings Wiped After Firmware Upgrade - LINK

• When doing firmware upgrade, it will completely wipe all user settings. Each time the user upgrades he/she needs to set their settings again.

Can’t Install latest PC Drivers on Windows 11 is a 64-bit ARM-based system - LINK

• I have been using Topping Tune via VMWare Fusion on my Mac. Works fine, except for the fact that because my version of Windows 11 is a 64-bit ARM-based system, I cannot install the latest PC drivers (says the system is not supported). I have mentioned this a few times to Topping, but don't expect them to have anything any time soon.

Bluetooth Paring Button - LINK

• Bluetooth Pairing - Use the brightness button on the remote (knob press didn't work for me).

Topping Tune EQ Parameters not showing up on DX5II - LINK

• Topping Tune EQ - I had problems when changing the "Device Config" Eq parameters having the changes show up in the DX5 II. The common problem is that a given filter is sometimes reset to zero on the DX5 II. What I did was to build the EQ in "Local Config" then make changes there and then delete the "Device Config" EQ and add the changed "Local" Eq back to "Device". This seems to work. That said, the Topping Tune/DX5 ii interface needs work as does the TT app itself.

Screen Bug when EQ is turned on, On V1.39 – LINK

• I also caught a screen bug that happens whenever you turn the EQ on. This glitches the screen. (See picture)

EQ Prole Not Sticking When Changing Inputs – LINK

• The annoying issue I'm running into right now is when you change outputs, the EQ profile doesn't stick unless you re-select it, even toggling EQ on and off doesn't work.

Unit Runs Very Warm, No Venting, Consider adding Venting – LINK

• Also, it runs warm, no vents in the housing so that is interesting. Consider adding vents.

No Way to Import Saved EQ Profiles - LINK

• Through the TUNE software, I can export my profiles as CSV files, but apparently, there's no way to import them again - it seems to only accept .txt files for import. Changing the file extension doesn’t work either, which is very strange.

Popping Sounds - LINK

• Slight pop in headphones while turning on before relay clicks. Even when HPA is not selected. It might do the same on the line-outs.
• High gain is indicated by GAIN being displayed below dB in normal Home Screen. Slight pop on switching but no audible relay click. Audible relay click when HPA is selected. No interruption or pop during playback.
• With no audio signal, slight pops on sample rate changes seemingly independent of volume setting. Scaling with gain as is expected. No noticeable pops when changing sample rate with music playing. Only muting for 1-2 seconds.

Sub Menu, Shown in Aurora theme after some number of power cycles - LINK

• The sub-sub-menus in the White theme are shown in the Aurora theme after some number of power cycles or amount of time. This might also apply to the other themes but I did not have the patience to test that.

EDIT: Noted as Acknowledged by Topping and will be Fixed.

Language Setting – Language Shown - LINK Topping Verified this is Intentional

• The language setting is flipped in language. It shows English in Chinese letters (as far as I can tell since I don't speak it and only looked at Wikipedia titles in Chinese zh) as selected when using English (1st picture below) and shows Chinese in Latin letters when using Chinese (2nd picture below).
• Topping reply on 7/4/2025 LINK: The difference in language display is an intentional design. If a child or someone unfamiliar with the device accidentally changes the language, the unique display format helps users identify and switch back to the correct language without needing to perform a full factory reset.

Display shows kHz improperly as KHz. - LINK

• Topping reply on 7/4/2025 LINK: You're absolutely right — “kHz” is the correct standard, and we will fix this in a future firmware update.

PEQ Profiles not Saving after Device Off then On – Reported to Topping around 7/2

• There is probably a software bug. The EQ profile is not saved correctly. LINK
• I have now installed 1.39, but my EQ profile is still not saved correctly on the device (Windows 11). LINK
• Despite version 1.05, the EQ profile is still not saved correctly on the device. LINK
• Importing seems a bit buggy at this point but they seem fine once you set them up manually. LINK
• It's Topping tune. Profile is not saved. I've installed 1.39 already. I select "store to device" and it seems to work, but after switching the device off, and the on again, Topping tune shows that the EQ profile is flat. All filters are at zero. See pictures attached. It seems that Topping tune doesn't transfer the parameters correctly to the device. My OS is Windows 11 64bit. LINK
• Topping reply on 7/3/2025 LINK: We are fixing some bugs, and we are also updating the new firmware to solve the problem of PEQ (it should be updated in 5-10 days)

EDIT_2: Attached the exact issue log I just sent them.

 

[audiofun]

When the acceptable DC present at speaker terminals are less that 50mV (close to zero really is the norm) these few W sound a little too much.
Wouldn't be better not to allow it?

My understanding is as long as it's not burning the speakers it should be fine. 50mV is too low.
I would say the testing track (Bloc Party Blue Light Engineers 'Anti Gravity' remix) is an extreme case in real life, and many other music tracks are not mastered well, but better than the testing track, not bad enough to blow your headphones/speakers.
having too sensitive protection will confuse the user, making them think their amp is broken.

 

[JIW]

I went through the last 18 pages (from post #661), basically from where the PEQ Profiles not saving were being reported and summarized all the issues I saw. Only one to date has been addressed by Topping (language on screen setting), so I left that off the list. A few were already noted as reported to Topping. I noted that were applicable. I was looking to place an order for a unit, but held off due to these reports. so I, as many of you are, want to see some resolution to these issues. Pictures may be referenced below, see links for images. Hopefully we see some movement on these bugs, and they don't require physical changes to the unit.

I sent this to Topping at [email protected].

DX5 II Issue Log from Post #661 and Later

PEQ Profiles not Saving after Device Off then On – Reported to Topping around 7/2

• There is probably a software bug. The EQ profile is not saved correctly. LINK
• I have now installed 1.39, but my EQ profile is still not saved correctly on the device (Windows 11). LINK
• Despite version 1.05, the EQ profile is still not saved correctly on the device. LINK
• Importing seems a bit buggy at this point but they seem fine once you set them up manually. LINK
• It's Topping tune. Profile is not saved. I've installed 1.39 already. I select "store to device" and it seems to work, but after switching the device off, and the on again, Topping tune shows that the EQ profile is flat. All filters are at zero. See pictures attached. It seems that Topping tune doesn't transfer the parameters correctly to the device. My OS is Windows 11 64bit. LINK

Volume Memory Not saved after Power Cycle - LINK

• Software: There is one software bug in volume memory that will forget previous attenuated volume and result 0db volume after power cycle, which will blow up your ears.

Volume Memory - LINK

• It has different remembered volumes for the HPA for the different line-out modes. Those only change when changed in the mode. It turns on using the volume remembered for DAC mode even when Preamp mode is selected. When cycling the modes, it selects the volume for Preamp mode not where is was when switching but where it was when switched to before. To ensure it turns on where it was last set when in Preamp mode, another power cycle is required. Using FW 1.39.

DC Protection Issue

• Hardware: it doesn’t really protect your headphones from DC in your music, which is a basic feature of their earlier products (A30 pro or L30 or L50). LINK
• DX5ii just doesn’t protect your headphones from DC in the music you listen to, a feature their previous models have. Even if I let it play full DC the circuit won’t cut out the output. At this point there is no evidence that it won’t protect your headphones when the unit blows up, and there is no evidence of a design flaw causes it to blow up in the first place. LINK
• Test Method: LINK
• 1) a music track that previously well known for having high DC --- Blue Light by the band Bloc Party, in the Anti Gravity Remix version. You can listen it here on youtube (caution: it may damage your headphone if you crank volume to loud and your HP amp does not have DC protection feature.)
• 2) full amplitude DC test signal.
• DX5II is not able to shutdown the output when such signal is fed in.
• Additional Information: LINK
• DC is known to damage your headphones and speakers. Music, if masters well, usually has AC contents only. But some poorly mastered music tracks have DC, and a few of them have high level DC.
• ASR user reported such music content in the Topping A30 Pro thread and it turned out previous Topping devices did pretty well guarding against such poorly mastered music.
  But DX5 had not properly implemented the feature.
• From early teardown photo (on this Korean site, posted by some user in this thread on page 11) I can see the DC protection circuit on the top right of the 4 pin XLR. So, topping did implement the feature, but it's not working at all.
• If you listen to the track and volume is 10 o’clock on toppings other devices, the protection WILL kick in. Even in low gain it’s high enough to damage sensitive IEMs. LINK

Relay Clicking

• Put the device’s output in single ended headphone out only mode. Do not insert your headphone jack to the unit. Turn the volume to max (or close to max). Play any music you have. Hear relay clicking every single second or so. LINK
• Mine does that all the way down to -11 dB with a 1 kHz 0 dBFS tone. It does it when I change the volume even when turning right at 0 dB. With a headphone connected it does not. With no signal, it also clicks right after connecting or disconnecting a headphone but not if the output is muted. It has stopped some time after the headphone was disconnected depending on the volume setting. After 3 minutes, it is stopped completely. It resumes when a new signal is present. LINK
• Also, in high gain, it does it at 10 dB lower volume already. However, it does not do it on HPA BAL or even HPA ALL even at 0 dB high gain. It does not do it on any version of LO either. Edit. It still clicks in HPA ALL when connecting a headphone to the SE but not when doing it in HPA BAL. LINK

Can’t Install latest PC Drivers on Windows 11 is a 64-bit ARM-based system - LINK

• I have been using Topping Tune via VMWare Fusion on my Mac. Works fine, except for the fact that because my version of Windows 11 is a 64-bit ARM-based system, I cannot install the latest PC drivers (says the system is not supported). I have mentioned this a few times to Topping, but don't expect them to have anything any time soon.

Bluetooth Paring Button - LINK

• Bluetooth Pairing - Use the brightness button on the remote (knob press didn't work for me).

Topping Tune EQ Parameters not showing up on DX5II - LINK

• Topping Tune EQ - I had problems when changing the "Device Config" Eq parameters having the changes show up in the DX5 II. The common problem is that a given filter is sometimes reset to zero on the DX5 II. What I did was to build the EQ in "Local Config" then make changes there and then delete the "Device Config" EQ and add the changed "Local" Eq back to "Device". This seems to work. That said, the Topping Tune/DX5 ii interface needs work as does the TT app itself.

Screen Bug when EQ is turned on, On V1.39 – LINK

• I also caught a screen bug that happens whenever you turn the EQ on. This glitches the screen. (See picture)

EQ Prole Not Sticking When Changing Inputs – LINK

• The annoying issue I'm running into right now is when you change outputs, the EQ profile doesn't stick unless you re-select it, even toggling EQ on and off doesn't work.

Unit Runs Very Warm, No Venting, Consider adding Venting – LINK

• Also, it runs warm, no vents in the housing so that is interesting. Consider adding vents.

No Way to Import Saved EQ Profiles - LINK

• Through the TUNE software, I can export my profiles as CSV files, but apparently, there's no way to import them again - it seems to only accept .txt files for import. Changing the file extension doesn’t work either, which is very strange.

Display shows kHz improperly as KHz. - LINK

Popping Sounds - LINK

• Slight pop in headphones while turning on before relay clicks. Even when HPA is not selected. It might do the same on the line-outs.
• High gain is indicated by GAIN being displayed below dB in normal Home Screen. Slight pop on switching but no audible relay click. Audible relay click when HPA is selected. No interruption or pop during playback.
• With no audio signal, slight pops on sample rate changes seemingly independent of volume setting. Scaling with gain as is expected. No noticeable pops when changing sample rate with music playing. Only muting for 1-2 seconds.

Sub Menu, Shown in Aurora theme after some number of power cycles - LINK

• The sub-sub-menus in the White theme are shown in the Aurora theme after some number of power cycles or amount of time. This might also apply to the other themes but I did not have the patience to test that.

I have notified them of the KHz thing along with the language. They will fix it. Here is their reply. I forgot to post it earlier.

You're absolutely right — “kHz” is the correct standard, and we will fix this in a future firmware update.

 

[audiofun]

I sent this to Topping at [email protected].

that's very nice of you.

Perhaps you can also report this bug:

When doing firmware upgrade, it will completely wipe all user settings.
With many bugs with the unit, I believe user will see many future software updates coming,
or it will hurting topping's reputation if topping stopped supporting it.
Each time the user upgrades he/she needs to set their settings again. This is very inconvenient. Please fix.

For the bugs I mentioned, I will behappy to provide videos that reproduces those bugs.

 

[ngs428]

that's very nice of you.

Perhaps you can also report this bug:

When doing firmware upgrade, it will completely wipe all user settings.
With many bugs with the unit, I believe user will see many future software updates coming,
or it will hurting topping's reputation if topping stopped supporting it.
Each time the user upgrades he/she needs to set their settings again. This is very inconvenient. Please fix.

For the bugs I mentioned, I will happy to provide videos that reproduces those bugs.

I added this to the request. I was about to hit send and read this, so I compiled it in. I worked a bunch with FiiO on the early DAP firmware (think X3...). They had an active response to update and improve. I am hoping Topping has the same on this unit.

Not sure if they will, but I directed Topping to this thread and asked them to reply here if they are able regarding my request.

 

[ngs428]

I have notified them of the KHz thing along with the language. They will fix it. Here is their reply. I forgot to post it earlier.

Nice! I moved that to the fixed portion of my log and will not report.

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

If I didn't have the device at home and only read this thread, I would get the impression that it was a completely packaged, unusable device.

But my reality is completely different.
I connected my he6se a few days ago and just enjoyed music for hours. Without any problems.
Yes ok, I had to use the EQ from the Neutron player. Something I've been doing for years anyway.
Apart from that, I just enjoyed this beautiful display and music of the highest quality.
If someone were to ask me which DAC/amp combo they should buy, I would immediately say DX5 II.
That is also the reason why I am selling my device and not sending it back.
(I bought the DX5 II for the HE6SE.
I have since sold it).

For me, the DX5 II is a awesome device.

 

[Roland68]

My unit is on eBay now

Topping DX5 II | eBay.de

Das Gerät ist eine Woche alt und daher neuwertig. Inklusive Rechnung Ovp und Zubehör.

ebay.us

If I didn't have the device at home and only read this thread, I would get the impression that it was a completely packaged, unusable device.

But my reality is completely different.
I connected my he6se a few days ago and just enjoyed music for hours. Without any problems.
Yes ok, I had to use the EQ from the Neutron player. Something I've been doing for years anyway.
Apart from that, I just enjoyed this beautiful display and music of the highest quality.
If someone were to ask me which DAC/amp combo they should buy, I would immediately say DX5 II.
That is also the reason why I am selling my device and not sending it back.
(I bought the DX5 II for the HE6SE.
I have since sold it).

For me, the DX5 II is a awesome device.

Not that far away from me.
May I ask why you sold the HE6SE?

 

[plant550]

If I didn't have the device at home and only read this thread, I would get the impression that it was a completely packaged, unusable device.

But my reality is completely different.
I connected my he6se a few days ago and just enjoyed music for hours. Without any problems.
Yes ok, I had to use the EQ from the Neutron player. Something I've been doing for years anyway.
Apart from that, I just enjoyed this beautiful display and music of the highest quality.
If someone were to ask me which DAC/amp combo they should buy, I would immediately say DX5 II.
That is also the reason why I am selling my device and not sending it back.
(I bought the DX5 II for the HE6SE.
I have since sold it).

For me, the DX5 II is an awesome device.

Indeed, a very (over the top) negative thread for a device without major issues in my experience.

 

[audiofun]

If I didn't have the device at home and only read this thread, I would get the impression that it was a completely packaged, unusable device.

But my reality is completely different.
I connected my he6se a few days ago and just enjoyed music for hours. Without any problems.
Yes ok, I had to use the EQ from the Neutron player. Something I've been doing for years anyway.
Apart from that, I just enjoyed this beautiful display and music of the highest quality.
If someone were to ask me which DAC/amp combo they should buy, I would immediately say DX5 II.
That is also the reason why I am selling my device and not sending it back.
(I bought the DX5 II for the HE6SE.
I have since sold it).

For me, the DX5 II is a awesome device.

And I can safely bet that western companies such as RME / JDS Labs have a serious competitor, as this product is so similar to what they are doing.
What we have repeatedly seen from Chinese manufacturer over the past decade is, they are highly competitive.
They want to produce the best products in the world, and they compete with top players face to face.
They move faster than anyone. They basically learn silicon valley's approach and applied it to manufacturing.
Like silicon valley's software, in most occasions Chinese manufacturers' first product release is usually very crappy.
But they will iterate it over and over and you see tremendous progress along the way.
This happens to their cars, their ships, their self designed electronics, their chips, and even their military.

 

[Roland68]

And I can safely bet that western companies such as RME / JDS Labs have a serious competitor, as this product is so similar to what they are doing.
What we have repeatedly seen from Chinese manufacturer over the past decade is, they are highly competitive.
They want to produce the best products in the world, and they compete with top players face to face.
They move faster than anyone. They basically learn silicon valley's approach and applied it to manufacturing.
Like silicon valley's software, in most occasions Chinese manufacturers' first product release is usually very crappy.
But they will iterate it over and over and you see tremendous progress along the way.
This happens to their cars, their ships, their self designed electronics, their chips, and even their military.

I can agree with that for a manufacturer like Topping, but it applies 0% to SMSL/Sabaj/Loxjie; they seem to have zero interest in fixing bugs.

I also see JDS Labs as a direct competitor, especially with the DX5 II, but I don't see much overlap with the RME ADI-2 DAC FS. Anyone who wants to buy an ADI-2 DAC FS will have a hard time getting a DX5 II, and conversely, the ADI-2 DAC FS is far too expensive for a DX5 II customer. The overlap with the other ADI devices is likely even smaller.

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

Not that far away from me.
May I ask why you sold the HE6SE?

Not long ago, I criticized Hifiman for its lack of innovation. In particular for the Unveiled model series. I then bought the Arya Stealth (for the third time) and tried out Crinacles preset.
From this I was able to build a preset for myself, which made me like the Arya Stealth better than the He6SE. So the HE6SE had to go.

Today I had the opportunity to compare the Arya Stealth, HE1000SE, and Arya Unveiled. Using the EQ profiles from Crin and Resolve, I tried to match all three headphones to the same FR.

For me, the Arya Unveiled is the clear winner.
It sounds by far the most authentic. The timbre is sensational.

As of today, I can understand the hype surrounding the Arya Unveiled.
I also agree with what some reviewers have said: the Arya Unveiled sounds incredibly authentic. There is no harshness or edgyness to be heard.
This has become clear in direct comparison with the other two headphones.
No matter what I did in the range between one and 15 kHz, I couldn't correct the basic character in the form of sharpness and edgyness that both have.
The Arya Unveiled simply doesn't have any of that.
It just sounds incredibly pleasant.
I didn't miss anything. Not punch, not resolution.
OK. I digress...

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

By the way, it was a mistake not to take the DX5II with me. The dealer only had a very expensive T+A, which I was able to bring to clipp faster than I would have liked.

 

[JanHantschke]

I went through the last 18 pages (from post #661), basically from where the PEQ Profiles not saving were being reported and summarized all the issues I saw. Only one to date has been addressed by Topping (language on screen setting), so I left that off the list. A few were already noted as reported to Topping. I noted that were applicable. I was looking to place an order for a unit, but held off due to these reports. so I, as many of you are, want to see some resolution to these issues. Pictures may be referenced below, see links for images. Hopefully we see some movement on these bugs, and they don't require physical changes to the unit.

I sent this to Topping at [email protected].

DX5 II Issue Log from Post #661 and Later

PEQ Profiles not Saving after Device Off then On – Reported to Topping around 7/2

• There is probably a software bug. The EQ profile is not saved correctly. LINK
• I have now installed 1.39, but my EQ profile is still not saved correctly on the device (Windows 11). LINK
• Despite version 1.05, the EQ profile is still not saved correctly on the device. LINK
• Importing seems a bit buggy at this point but they seem fine once you set them up manually. LINK
• It's Topping tune. Profile is not saved. I've installed 1.39 already. I select "store to device" and it seems to work, but after switching the device off, and the on again, Topping tune shows that the EQ profile is flat. All filters are at zero. See pictures attached. It seems that Topping tune doesn't transfer the parameters correctly to the device. My OS is Windows 11 64bit. LINK

Volume Memory Not saved after Power Cycle - LINK

• Software: There is one software bug in volume memory that will forget previous attenuated volume and result 0db volume after power cycle, which will blow up your ears.

Volume Memory - LINK

• It has different remembered volumes for the HPA for the different line-out modes. Those only change when changed in the mode. It turns on using the volume remembered for DAC mode even when Preamp mode is selected. When cycling the modes, it selects the volume for Preamp mode not where is was when switching but where it was when switched to before. To ensure it turns on where it was last set when in Preamp mode, another power cycle is required. Using FW 1.39.

DC Protection Issue

• Hardware: it doesn’t really protect your headphones from DC in your music, which is a basic feature of their earlier products (A30 pro or L30 or L50). LINK
• DX5ii just doesn’t protect your headphones from DC in the music you listen to, a feature their previous models have. Even if I let it play full DC the circuit won’t cut out the output. At this point there is no evidence that it won’t protect your headphones when the unit blows up, and there is no evidence of a design flaw causes it to blow up in the first place. LINK
• Test Method: LINK
  • 1) a music track that previously well known for having high DC --- Blue Light by the band Bloc Party, in the Anti Gravity Remix version. You can listen it here on youtube (caution: it may damage your headphone if you crank volume to loud and your HP amp does not have DC protection feature.)
  • 2) full amplitude DC test signal.
  • DX5II is not able to shutdown the output when such signal is fed in.
• Additional Information: LINK
  • DC is known to damage your headphones and speakers. Music, if masters well, usually has AC contents only. But some poorly mastered music tracks have DC, and a few of them have high level DC.
  • ASR user reported such music content in the Topping A30 Pro thread and it turned out previous Topping devices did pretty well guarding against such poorly mastered music.
    But DX5 had not properly implemented the feature.
  • From early teardown photo (on this Korean site, posted by some user in this thread on page 11) I can see the DC protection circuit on the top right of the 4 pin XLR. So, topping did implement the feature, but it's not working at all.
• If you listen to the track and volume is 10 o’clock on toppings other devices, the protection WILL kick in. Even in low gain it’s high enough to damage sensitive IEMs. LINK

Relay Clicking

• Put the device’s output in single ended headphone out only mode. Do not insert your headphone jack to the unit. Turn the volume to max (or close to max). Play any music you have. Hear relay clicking every single second or so. LINK
• Mine does that all the way down to -11 dB with a 1 kHz 0 dBFS tone. It does it when I change the volume even when turning right at 0 dB. With a headphone connected it does not. With no signal, it also clicks right after connecting or disconnecting a headphone but not if the output is muted. It has stopped some time after the headphone was disconnected depending on the volume setting. After 3 minutes, it is stopped completely. It resumes when a new signal is present. LINK
• Also, in high gain, it does it at 10 dB lower volume already. However, it does not do it on HPA BAL or even HPA ALL even at 0 dB high gain. It does not do it on any version of LO either. Edit. It still clicks in HPA ALL when connecting a headphone to the SE but not when doing it in HPA BAL. LINK

Settings Wiped After Firmware Upgrade - LINK

• When doing firmware upgrade, it will completely wipe all user settings. Each time the user upgrades he/she needs to set their settings again.

Can’t Install latest PC Drivers on Windows 11 is a 64-bit ARM-based system - LINK

• I have been using Topping Tune via VMWare Fusion on my Mac. Works fine, except for the fact that because my version of Windows 11 is a 64-bit ARM-based system, I cannot install the latest PC drivers (says the system is not supported). I have mentioned this a few times to Topping, but don't expect them to have anything any time soon.

Bluetooth Paring Button - LINK

• Bluetooth Pairing - Use the brightness button on the remote (knob press didn't work for me).

Topping Tune EQ Parameters not showing up on DX5II - LINK

• Topping Tune EQ - I had problems when changing the "Device Config" Eq parameters having the changes show up in the DX5 II. The common problem is that a given filter is sometimes reset to zero on the DX5 II. What I did was to build the EQ in "Local Config" then make changes there and then delete the "Device Config" EQ and add the changed "Local" Eq back to "Device". This seems to work. That said, the Topping Tune/DX5 ii interface needs work as does the TT app itself.

Screen Bug when EQ is turned on, On V1.39 – LINK

• I also caught a screen bug that happens whenever you turn the EQ on. This glitches the screen. (See picture)

EQ Prole Not Sticking When Changing Inputs – LINK

• The annoying issue I'm running into right now is when you change outputs, the EQ profile doesn't stick unless you re-select it, even toggling EQ on and off doesn't work.

Unit Runs Very Warm, No Venting, Consider adding Venting – LINK

• Also, it runs warm, no vents in the housing so that is interesting. Consider adding vents.

No Way to Import Saved EQ Profiles - LINK

• Through the TUNE software, I can export my profiles as CSV files, but apparently, there's no way to import them again - it seems to only accept .txt files for import. Changing the file extension doesn’t work either, which is very strange.

Popping Sounds - LINK

• Slight pop in headphones while turning on before relay clicks. Even when HPA is not selected. It might do the same on the line-outs.
• High gain is indicated by GAIN being displayed below dB in normal Home Screen. Slight pop on switching but no audible relay click. Audible relay click when HPA is selected. No interruption or pop during playback.
• With no audio signal, slight pops on sample rate changes seemingly independent of volume setting. Scaling with gain as is expected. No noticeable pops when changing sample rate with music playing. Only muting for 1-2 seconds.

Sub Menu, Shown in Aurora theme after some number of power cycles - LINK

• The sub-sub-menus in the White theme are shown in the Aurora theme after some number of power cycles or amount of time. This might also apply to the other themes but I did not have the patience to test that.

EDIT: Noted as Acknowledged by Topping and will be Fixed.

Language Setting – Language Shown - LINK Topping Verified this is Intentional

• The language setting is flipped in language. It shows English in Chinese letters (as far as I can tell since I don't speak it and only looked at Wikipedia titles in Chinese zh) as selected when using English (1st picture below) and shows Chinese in Latin letters when using Chinese (2nd picture below).
• Topping reply on 7/4/2025 LINK: The difference in language display is an intentional design. If a child or someone unfamiliar with the device accidentally changes the language, the unique display format helps users identify and switch back to the correct language without needing to perform a full factory reset.

Display shows kHz improperly as KHz. - LINK

• Topping reply on 7/4/2025: You're absolutely right — “kHz” is the correct standard, and we will fix this in a future firmware update.

EDIT_2: Attached the exact issue log I just sent them.

Someone said earlier that the PEQ bug was acknowledged and will be fixed:

Topping DX5 II

I'm going to return mine to their official store in Amazon. Amazon only allows leaving 500 characters message to the seller, and I have 7 bugs (3 of them I consider serious) to report. Amazon needs to do better. Sorry, I edited my previous post as you were responding -- can you explain in...

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