Topping DX5 II

[ziggurcat]

I installed the driver but there was no change with disconnect/reconnects using both the C1 and C2 preset buttons.

What I've tested seems to match what you've described with the exception of having to restart an app to regain audio output. Granted, I'm not running a handful of apps at the same time, nor am I doing any gaming. There's a clearly obvious difference with how it handles the handshake using the saved C button presets. Might be something worth e-mail Topping about to see if they are willing to investigate further on their end, and maybe come up with a solution.

 

[magor34]

What I've tested seems to match what you've described with the exception of having to restart an app to regain audio output. Granted, I'm not running a handful of apps at the same time, nor am I doing any gaming. There's a clearly obvious difference with how it handles the handshake using the saved C button presets. Might be something worth e-mail Topping about to see if they are willing to investigate further on their end, and maybe come up with a solution.

Games on Windows have always been like that for as long as I can remember, the device doesn't matter. If it disconnects you need to restart the game or the whole audio process itself in the system.

Yes, I'll send an e-mail to Topping about this. Fingers crossed for a firmware update fix.

 

[Lux Maldini]

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.

Can't Equalify be used on Spotify now? What device are you using to adjust PEQ now?

 

[beefcat]

I just got mine, so far performance is great, fantastic upgrade from my DX3 Pro (non-plus). Except for one glaring issue. The optical input is borderline unusable. The audio drops out all the time, randomly on average about once every 10-15 seconds. Usually for < 0.25s, though I have had some drops that were almost a second. The FFT and VU displays also zero out when this happens. It happens with or without the PEQ enabled.

I'm using the same optical source (HDMI audio splitter attached to a Switch 2), and same optical cable I was using with the DX3 Pro, so I doubt either of them are the culprit. Also made sure I'm running the latest firmware (1.57)

Has anyone else seen this?

 

[Berwhale]

I just got mine, so far performance is great, fantastic upgrade from my DX3 Pro (non-plus). Except for one glaring issue. The optical input is borderline unusable. The audio drops out all the time, randomly on average about once every 10-15 seconds. Usually for < 0.25s, though I have had some drops that were almost a second. The FFT and VU displays also zero out when this happens. It happens with or without the PEQ enabled.

I'm using the same optical source (HDMI audio splitter attached to a Switch 2), and same optical cable I was using with the DX3 Pro, so I doubt either of them are the culprit. Also made sure I'm running the latest firmware (1.57)

Has anyone else seen this?

Welcome to ASR! I've not had any issues driving the DX5 II from my Wiim Pro over optical. Have you made sure that you have pushed the connectors all the way in? It's notoriously easy to leave them not fully engaged, i've done it myself.

 

[Antagron]

Has anyone experienced a fatal HP DC Abnormal error yet? I feel so hesitant after my A70 nuked itself.

 

[ziggurcat]

I just got mine, so far performance is great, fantastic upgrade from my DX3 Pro (non-plus). Except for one glaring issue. The optical input is borderline unusable. The audio drops out all the time, randomly on average about once every 10-15 seconds. Usually for < 0.25s, though I have had some drops that were almost a second.

I'm using the same optical source (HDMI audio splitter attached to a Switch 2), and same optical cable I was using with the DX3 Pro, so I doubt either of them are the culprit. Also made sure I'm running the latest firmware (1.57)

I'm using the optical input on my DX5 II, and it's perfectly fine. In fact, it solved a problem I had before getting the DX5 II where I couldn't set the bit/sample rate higher than 24-bit/96kHz otherwise the audio would cut out/stutter:

'Help with solving a problem with Topping D10s'

Jul 22, 2025

Some people here are already familiar with some recent troubleshooting I have gone through regarding a popping issue that ended up being cause by my Mac Mini (and, it turns out, a Macbook Air M2 as well), and the solution to the problem was to introduce a USB DDC (SMSL PO100 Pro) into the chain, and that fixed the problem (thanks to the amazing help from @Roland68). I looked a little bit more into USB DDCs, and it turned out I had a couple of Topping D10s DACs sitting around that can also be used in that capacity by using the toslink or coax outputs.

I decided to then try out the...

• ziggurcat

It seemed it would only stutter with a specific cable, so if it's anything like what I had, I wouldn't discount the cable or HDMI splitter.

Has anyone experienced a fatal HP DC Abnormal error yet? I feel so hesitant after my A70 nuked itself.

That's not a fatal error, that's the DC protection kicking in.

 

[beefcat]

Welcome to ASR! I've not had any issues driving the DX5 II from my Wiim Pro over optical. Have you made sure that you have pushed the connectors all the way in? It's notoriously easy to leave them not fully engaged, i've done it myself.

Thanks! I've checked the optical cable and even tried a different one. It's snug, but it cuts out still. I wonder if my unit is defective, or if there is something funky with the S/PDIF signal coming from the HDMI splitter. It's an OREI BKA-1 8k audio extractor.

 

[Ahmonge]

Thanks! I've checked the optical cable and even tried a different one. It's snug, but it cuts out still. I wonder if my unit is defective, or if there is something funky with the S/PDIF signal coming from the HDMI splitter. It's an OREI BKA-1 8k audio extractor.

You could try another optical S/PDIF source, like a TV set.

 

[somebodyelse]

You could try another optical S/PDIF source, like a TV set.

TV optical outputs often have loose timing that causes problems with hifi DACs designed for higher quality sources. I'd suggest trying with something less likely to cause problems like a CD player.

 

[beefcat]

TV optical outputs often have loose timing that causes problems with hifi DACs designed for higher quality sources. I'd suggest trying with something less likely to cause problems like a CD player.

I'll try that, though I guess I'm just SOL if it turns out my not so cheap HDMI audio extractor just doesn't have good enough timing for my new DAC when the old DAC from the same brand handled it fine...

 

[Nezil]

I have found an album that is causing loads of 'HP DC abnormal' errors. It doesn't require a reboot, but it does cause dropouts in the audio when it happens which is really annoying.

My understanding is that this only affects headphones; is that correct? If so, shouldn't this only be triggered when the output is set to one of the HPA options, and not LO?

For those interested, the album is Ellipse by Imogen Heap. Most tracks do it, but I was getting quite a few on the first track - First Train Home.

 

[ziggurcat]

I have found an album that is causing loads of 'HP DC abnormal' errors. It doesn't require a reboot, but it does cause dropouts in the audio when it happens which is really annoying.

My understanding is that this only affects headphones; is that correct? If so, shouldn't this only be triggered when the output is set to one of the HPA options, and not LO?

For those interested, the album is Ellipse by Imogen Heap. Most tracks do it, but I was getting quite a few on the first track - First Train Home.

I think it's worth noting the volume level when that happens.

 

[Nezil]

I think it's worth noting the volume level when that happens.

It was about -25dB or lower, but it was LO ALL to a Topping PA5 II, so is there a danger there or not?

 

[ziggurcat]

It was about -25dB or lower, but it was LO ALL to a Topping PA5 II, so is there a danger there or not?

Well, I would think if the DC protection kicks in, then no? I honestly have not seen the protection kick in, but I also haven't gone past -30dB in any output (HP or speakers).

 

[somebodyelse]

My understanding is that this only affects headphones; is that correct? If so, shouldn't this only be triggered when the output is set to one of the HPA options, and not LO?

It depends how your downstream devices (power amp?) handle DC on the input. Triggering DC protection on line out is the safe approach.

 

[Flying Nun]

I have found an album that is causing loads of 'HP DC abnormal' errors. It doesn't require a reboot, but it does cause dropouts in the audio when it happens which is really annoying.

My understanding is that this only affects headphones; is that correct? If so, shouldn't this only be triggered when the output is set to one of the HPA options, and not LO?

For those interested, the album is Ellipse by Imogen Heap. Most tracks do it, but I was getting quite a few on the first track - First Train Home.

Same. I've had the DX5 II for about 2 weeks and had 'HP DC abnormal' occur a few times now. It cuts sound, but comes back after the error clears. Tried the album you referenced as well and it severely cuts out. Driving Sennheiser HD650s, low gain, -20 to -15dB.

Also, bluetooth stopped responding to input from my iPhone. It used to work fine, but all of the sudden stopped - no error or anything, just no response. Yes, I checked that the input was set to BT.

Alllllso, I attempted firmware updates following the instructions to a T. It won't update. Running Windows 11 64bit, fully updated OS. No response or action occurs when I paste the .Topping file in the DX5II 'USB' drive. Anyone else seen that?

 

[Antagron]

I'm using the optical input on my DX5 II, and it's perfectly fine. In fact, it solved a problem I had before getting the DX5 II where I couldn't set the bit/sample rate higher than 24-bit/96kHz otherwise the audio would cut out/stutter:

'Help with solving a problem with Topping D10s'

Jul 22, 2025

Some people here are already familiar with some recent troubleshooting I have gone through regarding a popping issue that ended up being cause by my Mac Mini (and, it turns out, a Macbook Air M2 as well), and the solution to the problem was to introduce a USB DDC (SMSL PO100 Pro) into the chain, and that fixed the problem (thanks to the amazing help from @Roland68). I looked a little bit more into USB DDCs, and it turned out I had a couple of Topping D10s DACs sitting around that can also be used in that capacity by using the toslink or coax outputs.

I decided to then try out the...

• ziggurcat

It seemed it would only stutter with a specific cable, so if it's anything like what I had, I wouldn't discount the cable or HDMI splitter.



That's not a fatal error, that's the DC protection kicking in.

It is when my A70 boots directly into it and resets and firmware flashes don’t help.

 

[ziggurcat]

It is when my A70 boots directly into it and resets and firmware flashes don’t help.

Huh?

 

[Bleib]

Huh?

Dead unit?