Topping DX5 II

[respice finem]

The question was whether you would have paid that price for a topping device.

If I didn't already have the RME for my primary setup, and it would guarantee the same "peace of mind" (for me as EU resident), why not?
I'm not "married" to any brand, seen too much in my long and sinful life
I initially contemplated replacing my "old faithful" Topping EX5 in my secondary setup, but declined after reading this thread.
My subjective impression is, issuing too many devices is part of the problem, but that's a guess. We will see how it all evolves.

 

[rpki]

Reading this thread with great interest because I'm thinking about replacing my Teac UD-301 which I use since 2015 and it works. Is the Topping stuff really not very reliable and fails within 2-3 years? Is there any hard data about that?

 

[respice finem]

There probably is, only not published. That said, the earlier devices seem OK - as a casuistic, my EX5 is now 3 years old, used every day, auto standby at night, no problems whatsoever. Sample size 1 has no statistical value of course.

And, I wouldn't discard anything based on age alone. In my bedroom (headphones only) setup I have a 16 years old LG LCD TV, a 14 years old CD player, a 9 years old HTPC, an 11 years old DAC, and a 14 years old HPA. All working.

 

[audiofun]

I think we need some sort of way to see who in here actually has bought a DX5 II - got a suspicion that the people in here spreading unfounded negativity about 'major' bugs don't even have a unit and just dislike Topping....

I can’t say for others who reported bugs here. But the bugs I reported are only discoverable if I have the actual device (such as relay clicks like crazy bug).
I can also verify a few bugs other reported on my device. And some of them also verified bugs reported by me.
So I don’t believe your concern is valid.

 

[Roland68]

Isn't there a new Topping device at double an ADI-2 price?
As far as I had a look at the insides it covers all the bling there is at some components (except it has switching high quality PSU instead of linear I think, admittedly because of its isolation so no mains noise in measurements)

And it seems it is selling well.

You probably mean the A900? By the way, it has two separate switching power supplies, including dual mono for the volume control.
It doesn't really have anything to do with ADI products.
I see the A900 more as a competitor to the Niimbus, and at least €3,000 cheaper.

 

[Dandelion]

It is quite the opposite. Those Chinese manufacturers used to pay a lot of attention on product quality and lifespan.
But they are not now. This change is due to this site.

If you still have the product flyers/ads from Topping or SMSL 5-10 years ago (see below), they didn't really focus on benchmark too much.
Most of the info was about better components used in their product.
They bragged about their choice of nichicon capacitors, omron relays, meanwell power supplies, top grade linear regulators, and sota op amps on the pcb.

ASR changed the hifi game entirely and now those companies spend most of the effort on R&D to achieve better spec, but not product quality/lifespan.
If you look at DX5II flyer, for instance, the info is mostly about they designed a special headphone amp circuit or in house i/v converter, to achieve better spec.
None of the info is related to the better components used or longer lifespan.

Reading this thread with great interest because I'm thinking about replacing my Teac UD-301 which I use since 2015 and it works. Is the Topping stuff really not very reliable and fails within 2-3 years? Is there any hard data about that?

No, but you're in a forum where people go bonkers for an inaudible sign on a graph, so of course that's the impression you get out of it.

 

[Sokel]

You probably mean the A900? By the way, it has two separate switching power supplies, including dual mono for the volume control.
It doesn't really have anything to do with ADI products.
I see the A900 more as a competitor to the Niimbus.

I think it's D900.

 

[Roland68]

I think it's D900.

This is just the DAC.

 

[Sokel]

This is just the DAC.

Yes, that's why I compared, DAC to DAC, ADI-2 is about 1000 euro street price and D900 is about 1750 euro in EU.
So, there is ground to compare, and I think there's another Topping DAC close to 1000 euro?

It's more meaningful to compare those I think.

 

[Chagall]

With this price for a bundle Topping is no longer a value brand. Comparison to western companies is warranted by the same standards.

 

[ngs428]

The topping store page now states this for the Black/US config:

TOPPING DX5 II Hi-Res DAC & Headphone Amp Combo

1.(DX5 II now is in stock; shipping time is 24-48 hours..) 2.(Orders placed in the United States can be shipped from our US warehouse..) 3.(Orders from countries outside the United States will be shipped from China. All costs are included in the price. Shipping time is 7-15 days.) 【Dual...

www.topping.store

Product are expected to be available after August Delivery time (around July 20 to August 5)

this used to state:

Product are expected to be available after July 15th Delivery time (around July 15 to July 20)


A bit of a delay it seems as I wait for my preorder to ship (From Apos). Not sure when this changed.

 

[Roland68]

The topping store page now states:

TOPPING DX5 II Hi-Res DAC & Headphone Amp Combo

1.(DX5 II now is in stock; shipping time is 24-48 hours..) 2.(Orders placed in the United States can be shipped from our US warehouse..) 3.(Orders from countries outside the United States will be shipped from China. All costs are included in the price. Shipping time is 7-15 days.) 【Dual...

www.topping.store

NOTE:

Product are expected to be available after August​

Delivery time (around July 20 to August 5)​

this used to state:

Product are expected to be available after July 15th​

Delivery time (around July 15 to July 20)​

A bit of a delay it seems as I wait for my preorder to ship (From Apos). Not sure when this changed.

Could it be that this is updated and only applies to current orders?

Not all devices are finished in production on the same day, and both apos and Topping will have limits on the daily shipment volume.

 

[RHO]

The black one is marked as "sold out" while the other colors do not get this note.

 

[ngs428]

Could it be that this is updated and only applies to current orders?

Not all devices are finished in production on the same day, and both apos and Topping will have limits on the daily shipment volume.

Possibly. The black/US configuration has not been in stock on Topping's website for several weeks. They may have an influx of orders and are now showing new proposed dates for new orders. The Apos website I ordered from still has the 7/23 date for shipping availability, so I am hoping that sticks.

 

[ngs428]

The black one is marked as "sold out" while the other colors do not get this note.

Correct, I clarified the config I was looking at in my initial comment. It is the black/US config.

 

[ziggurcat]

Back on topic - when is the next update of software due for the DX5ii ?

On July 3rd, they said to @Bleib that it would be 5-10 days, but we're sort of at the end of that timeframe today (if you count business days from the 3rd, 3 or 4 days ago if not).

I would imagine something would be coming very soon because the PEQ not saving issue is a pretty big user experience/functionality bug IMO.

 

[Bleib]

My hope is they fix more problems before releasing anything

 

[ziggurcat]

My hope is they fix more problems before releasing anything

It's certainly possible that with more issues being reported, they'd delay the FW release to fix a few more things they feel are important to deal with right away.

 

[Boese]

I did wrote a e-mail to Topping and ask them about the New Firmware and the Tuning Software so i can use PEQ.

Here the Answer:

Dear Sir

Thank you for contacting TOPPING support. We are happy to assist.
The new firmware will be released within a week, after which you will be able to use the PEQ feature. Please stay tuned to our official website for the exact release date. Thank you for your understanding!




I Hope topping include the DC Fix aswell.

 

[Scoobz1]

I did wrote a e-mail to Topping and ask them about the New Firmware and the Tuning Software so i can use PEQ.

Here the Answer:

Dear Sir

Thank you for contacting TOPPING support. We are happy to assist.
The new firmware will be released within a week, after which you will be able to use the PEQ feature. Please stay tuned to our official website for the exact release date. Thank you for your understanding!




I Hope topping include the DC Fix aswell.

When did you write ?