Topping DX5 II

[ngs428]

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...

audiosciencereview.com

Thanks! I updated my post here.

 

[Joachim Herbert]

After diving into the last pages of this thread I considered sending my unit back. Took me a while to come to reason and realize that none of the issues mentioned are relevant to me.

Most will be or are fixed by firmware upgrades, others like the DC issue don't apply because I don't listen to whatever anywhere near full output.

So I upgraded firmware from 1.32 to 1.39 and enjoy listening to this great little unit.

 

[ngs428]

After diving into the last pages of this thread I considered sending my unit back. Took me a while to come to reason and realize that none of the issues mentioned are relevant to me.

Most will or are fixex by firmware upgrades others like the DC issue don't apply because I don't listen to whatever anywhere near full output.

So I upgraded firmware from 1.32 to 1.39 and enjoy listening to this great little unit.

Agreed. After I compiled my bug report, I sat back and thought.. most should be fixed, none seem to cripple the unit. So I think I will go ahead and order..

 

[Panelhead]

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.

The spec is for DC Error. Measured open collector voltage and current. This is not the same as operating output dc voltage and current.
Getting anywhere near 50VDC output voltage usually indicates fried output transistors. See rail voltage on output. And fried speaker.

 

[JanHantschke]

I asked Audiophonics about the delay being caused by a factory defects having to be addressed and it originating from them. This is the reply I got.

This also got me curious. I ordered mine 3 days ago and got no such notification. It also arrived on the next day. Im really enjoying the DX5 II so far. Its a big upgrade after using a FIIO K3. I also compared it to a SMSL RAW MDA-1 and found that I like the DX5 II a lot more (SMSL RAW-MDA-1 was returned after this). The PEQ is also amazing at this price. Im not aware of any other dac + amp combos with similar performance and a PEQ at this price point.

I also contacted Topping support about the 2 problems that I noticed (Sorry for the bad explanation about the jitter problem, I am very new to this):

Hello,
I am using the Topping DX5 II and I have the following Problem:
when I connect the DX5 II to my LG C2 TV via optical toslink the audio starts to stutter every 5-10 seconds. This seems to happen because the DPLL is not wide enough (Jitter Problem). I already tried a DAC with adjustable DPLL from another brand with the same connection and it does not have this Problem. so this Problem likely comes from the DX5 II.
Could you please provide a Firmware Update that lets me adjust the DPLL/Jitter?


Awnser from Topping:
Dear Sir

Thank you for contacting TOPPING support. We are happy to assist.
Thank you very much for your feedback. If the DX5II works properly when connected to the optical output of your PC, then the optical input function itself is functioning correctly.
As for the connection with your LG TV, it’s possible that there may be a compatibility issue. We will report this situation to our R&D team to see if there is any potential solution. However, please note that the testing and investigation process may take some time.
May we ask if your main purpose for purchasing the DX5II was to use it with your TV? Does your TV have a USB output you could try instead?
If the current setup cannot meet your daily usage needs, we recommend that you contact the seller for a refund first. >.<

So they should be looking into this. I hope we will get adjustable DPLL. (As far as I understand this should solve this problem)

After that I replied to them and also reported the PEQ Bug that many of you also encountered.

 

[JIW]

This also got me curious. I ordered mine 3 days ago and got no such notification. It also arrived on the next day. Im really enjoying the DX5 II so far. Its a big upgrade after using a FIIO K3. I also compared it to a SMSL RAW MDA-1 and found that I like the DX5 II a lot more (SMSL RAW-MDA-1 was returned after this). The PEQ is also amazing at this price. Im not aware of any other dac + amp combos with similar performance and a PEQ at this price point.

I also contacted Topping support about the 2 problems that I noticed (Sorry for the bad explanation about the jitter problem, I am very new to this):



So they should be looking into this. I hope we will get adjustable DPLL. (As far as I understand this should solve this problem)

After that I replied to them and also reported the PEQ Bug that many of you also encountered.

What version did you buy?

The long waiting time is only for the black version. The silver one is still available and the white one will be available in two to three weeks.

 

[JanHantschke]

What version did you buy?

The long waiting time is only for the black version. The silver one is still available and the white one will be available in two to three weeks.

I bought the silver one. I just meant that I got no information from Audiophonics about manufacturing defects as someone said here:
https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-dx5-ii.60996/post-2343931

The silver one looks best in my opinion, so I was happy that I found it in stock in the EU.

 

[ziggurcat]

The video shows expected behavior. I had DX3 Pro+ and both of them will shut off when playing that.

Ok, thank you for clarifying On those other devices, does it trigger at lower volume levels as well or only when it hits (IMO) a particularly high threshold? I'm not sure how sensitive my headphones are (FiiO FT1 -- spec sheet says 98dB sensitivity / 113 dB/Vrms), but at Medium gain/12 o'clock it is unbearably loud to me on my L50.

So if your DX5 II is not doing what's shown in the video, and JIW has mentioned that in certain conditions, it does sort of do what's described in the video, is the issue that it's inconsistent? What is the indicator that would tell everyone that when it doesn't go into protection mode at much lower volume levels that it's 100% a failure of the DC protection circuit? Is there any possibility that the test track doesn't trigger protection mode at lower volume levels on the DX5 II because it just isn't enough DC to trigger the expected behaviour? Is there a possibility that the DC protection circuits on some units (such as your own) are defective, but not all?

BTW, I think it's also important for me to mention that I'm only asking these questions get a better understanding of what the issue is (none of my questions to you are meant as an attack nor am I angry, I'm genuinely only trying to learn -- I cannot stress that enough).

There is some misconception here: I mentioned several times that I bought from official store on Amazon. That’s topping who’s running that store. If I leave a feedback, it’s topping who’s receiving the feedback directly, not Amazon nor toppings authorized dealers.

Oh, I completely understand that you ordered it from the Topping store on Amazon. I would just be very surprised if your feedback made its way to the people who actually need to know about those issues . I liken the Amazon return process to entering a website's support chat in that it's probably being processed by a bot rather than a real person.

 

[Tano]

I must report that the most annoying bug that I got (config not saving) got fixed after reinstalling the new firmware, and the only issue that really bothers me right now is not being able to use PEQ cause my profiles won't stay on the unit.

I think that a lot of people might get the wrong idea after reading this thread and think that this is a terrible product, but it's far from it. It's a very good product that just needs some work from Topping to be a great one. Hope they fix those bugs ASAP.

 

[JanHantschke]

I must report that the most annoying bug that I got (config not saving) got fixed after reinstalling the new firmware, and the only issue that really bothers me right now is not being able to use PEQ cause my profiles won't stay on the unit.

I think that a lot of people might get the wrong idea after reading this thread and think that this is a terrible product, but it's far from it. It's a very good product that just needs some work from Topping to be a great one. Hope they fix those bugs ASAP.

I totally agree. Luckily one of the most annoying bugs (PEQ profiles gone after restart) is being fixed at the moment.

 

[JIW]

Ok, thank you for clarifying On those other devices, does it trigger at lower volume levels as well or only when it hits (IMO) a particularly high threshold? I'm not sure how sensitive my headphones are (FiiO FT1 -- spec sheet says 98dB sensitivity / 113 dB/Vrms), but at Medium gain/12 o'clock it is unbearably loud to me on my L50.

So if your DX5 II is not doing what's shown in the video, and JIW has mentioned that in certain conditions, it does sort of do what's described in the video, is the issue that it's inconsistent? What is the indicator that would tell everyone that when it doesn't go into protection mode at much lower volume levels that it's 100% a failure of the DC protection circuit? Is there any possibility that the test track doesn't trigger protection mode at lower volume levels on the DX5 II because it just isn't enough DC to trigger the expected behaviour? Is there a possibility that the DC protection circuits on some units (such as your own) are defective, but not all?

BTW, I think it's also important for me to mention that I'm only asking these questions get a better understanding of what the issue is (none of my questions to you are meant as an attack nor am I angry, I'm genuinely only trying to learn -- I cannot stress that enough).



Oh, I completely understand that you ordered it from the Topping store on Amazon. I would just be very surprised if your feedback made its way to the people who actually need to know about those issues . I liken the Amazon return process to entering a website's support chat in that it's probably being processed by a bot rather than a real person.

I did not test with any DC signals. The relay clicking is a different issue.

 

[ziggurcat]

I did not test with any DC signals. The relay clicking is a different issue.

What happens if you test with the Bloc Party track?

 

[audiofun]

it's probably being processed by a bot rather than a real person.

It's topping who's replying to me. not a bot.

On those other devices, does it trigger at lower volume levels as well or only when it hits (IMO) a particularly high threshold?

It's not because of high threshold but because the feature is not implemented properly. If it's a threshold issue, it should trigger with full scale DC + max volume + high gain. It's not triggering on DX5II even with this most extreme signal. With the same signal, Topping's DX3Pro+ I used to have, triggers protection mode at -15dBFS low gain, which is equivalent to 0.35VDC.

Topping's previous products has very strict (low) threashold for DC. RME's triggering voltage is 1.4VDC in hardware, which is documented in the manual. Software value can be lower but not documented (or perhaps I missed it when reading).

I don't consider this issue that important though. Just avoid listening to those tracks. It's just a pity in engineering perspective. In reality you seldom encounter such issue (thus I was surprised when people mad at me when I raised it) Volume memory after power cycle is way more serious IMHO.

BTW, this problem is fixable via software. RME already has that software solution working for several years. just compute in run time the DC level of the music and cut the output off if it's high. Simple. It just depends on whether or not topping wants to support this solution, now that we know the hardware solution is not working.

 

[JIW]

What happens if you test with the Bloc Party track?

I don't have headphones I want to test that with.

 

[ziggurcat]

I don't have headphones I want to test that with.

I thought the steps to reproduce didn't involve plugging in any headphones at all.

 

[audiofun]

I thought the steps to reproduce didn't involve plugging in any headphones at all.

The bug is about the relay clicks repeatedly nonstop using any music content. It is not related to DC protection.
the bug appears in other scenarios as well. Using SE HP only just helps isolating the problem for topping to repro.

 

[JIW]

I thought the steps to reproduce didn't involve plugging in any headphones at all.

That is not the DC issue.

 

[Zipper]

So I am not alone.

Mine does the clicking aswell but only in HPA SE (6.35mm headphone jack) mode. If I only choose HPA BAL (4.4mm/4-pin-XLR headphone jack) there is no clicking. At -11db (with the 6.3mm jack beeing used) it starts but if there are Headphones connected it stops. So not really a problem I guess?

 

[Bleib]

Mine does the clicking aswell but only in HPA SE (6.35mm headphone jack) mode. If I only choose HPA BAL (4.4mm/4-pin-XLR headphone jack) there is no clicking. At -11db (with the 6.3mm jack beeing used) it starts but if there are Headphones connected it stops. So not really a problem I guess?

Those with the clicking problem. Is this caused by the Topping USB driver? Try uninstalling it and installing the SMSL RAW USB driver instead:

SMSL Audio Official -Professional audio product manufacturer

Foshan ShuangMuSanLin electronics Co., LTD. founded in 2009 which located in Shenzhen, China. And our branch company VMV Technology(HK) Company Limited registered in HK in 2013. Our company is specialized in the audio DAC, stereo headphone amplifier, power amplifier, and with own R&D...

www.smsl-audio.com

Currently I'm not using Topping's own USB driver at all

 

[JIW]

Those with the clicking problem. Is this caused by the Topping USB driver? Try uninstalling it and installing the SMSL RAW USB driver instead:

SMSL Audio Official -Professional audio product manufacturer

Foshan ShuangMuSanLin electronics Co., LTD. founded in 2009 which located in Shenzhen, China. And our branch company VMV Technology(HK) Company Limited registered in HK in 2013. Our company is specialized in the audio DAC, stereo headphone amplifier, power amplifier, and with own R&D...

www.smsl-audio.com

Currently I'm not using Topping's own USB driver at all

I use macOS.