Topping DX5 II

[Chagall]

Ok i just set up and have been listening for a couple hours. Early impression: I don't know what it is, but i could swear my previous stack of D50 III + L30 II sounded a bit better. It could be my imagination, this isn't a scientific test, but something feels like it's missing. I can't quite put my finger on it. DX5 II a tiny bit less clear? Or a bit less front-back depth? Or a smaller soundstage? I don't know what it is, but music isn't hitting me the same way. The previous setup's sound made me smile, but this doesn't feel that way.
Maybe it's the filter i'm using? (i don't remember what i used on the D50 III, damn). Or maybe some sort of setting? It wouldn't make sense that it would sound different, cos on paper it's the same DAC. But it does.
It's a shame i don't have the D50 III anymore to compare.
Anyway this is just based gut feelings and this place is literally called "audio science review", so don't take me too seriously obviously. I just wanted to put it out there to see if anyone felt the same way.

I get what you’re saying - our brains are really good at tricking us into hearing differences when we change gear, especially right after a new setup. But if we look at this logically, there shouldn’t be any audible difference between your old stack and the DX5 II. The DAC chips, filters, and performance measurements are all at a level where they’re audibly transparent.

I’d double-check things like:
- Same digital filter setting (some can change the sound very slightly, although I've never heard it).
- Make sure no DSP/EQ is enabled in your source.
- Match volume levels carefully - even a small difference can make one setup seem clearer or “bigger.”
- Don't go by memory - it's a shame you don't have both DACs currently

And just as a general note: even if a few more people chime in saying they felt something similar, it doesn’t really prove there’s an actual difference. Everyone’s using different headphones, amps, rooms, speakers, and brains - so those impressions aren’t directly comparable.

Personally, I’ve never been able to hear any differences between DACs I own. I stopped overanalyzing and just listened to the music. They all measure way past audibility.

 

[Shaggy]

Firmware changes -



Seems to fix the few things people have raised, although the 'HP DC abnormal detection scheme to reduce false triggers' change is the third time its been changed, so question is it now at a level that makes most people happy.

Indeed, it fixed an error using the Topping software to change the EQ, but for me, I just keep seeing 'HP DC Abnormal' error, but in random songs when surpass around -9 db mark in low gain, but.

I will leave here some testing around this problem in case they are useful to anyone.

• The error appears more frecuently when using the low gain mode, changin to High gain improves/fix it overall, in many songs that where causing problems.
• Usually, when I listen near to -9 db mark is when the problem is more evident.
• Playing with the volume of the system, like instead of using 100%, use the 80-90% fixes the problem most of the time. Not an ideal solution obviously.
• Using any other streaming platform aside from Spotify, like Tidal or Apple Music, don't affect the result. It's not a software o encoding related problem.
• My sister was having recurrent DC protection errors with 'Summer Days' of Martin Garrix, in the drop of the song.
• I noticed that the UI of the DAC frozens almost one or two seconds before throwing the error.

pd: Sorry for my english, it's not my primary language.
pd2: New forum user here.

Setup used:
- Meze 109 Pro, in the 4.4mm output.
- 2 x Kali LP6 V2 in the XLR ouputs.

 

[malaire]

1- Does the DX5 offer the 2 SPDIF modes 1 and 2 like the dx7 pro+? Since topping devices have a LOT of problems with micro-cuts, stuttering and crackling with a lot of optical spdif devices like asus motherboards that require que mostly newly added mode 2 of the dx7 pro+ to work as expected without those problems.

On the dx7 the 2 modes were offered on the config menu that you needed to manually enter, not on the main basic menu.

Support for SPDIF modes was just added in firmware 1.62, available from main menu.

From https://www.toppingaudio.com/download/dx5-ii-version-v1-62-firmware-update

What's updated
• New: Menu -> Input Settings -> Spdif Mode: 1 (default, high-performance mode); 2 (high-compatibility mode)

 

[ziggurcat]

Ok i just set up and have been listening for a couple hours. Early impression: I don't know what it is, but i could swear my previous stack of D50 III + L30 II sounded a bit better. It could be my imagination, this isn't a scientific test, but something feels like it's missing. I can't quite put my finger on it. DX5 II a tiny bit less clear? Or a bit less front-back depth? Or a smaller soundstage? I don't know what it is, but music isn't hitting me the same way. The previous setup's sound made me smile, but this doesn't feel that way.
Maybe it's the filter i'm using? (i don't remember what i used on the D50 III, damn). Or maybe some sort of setting? It wouldn't make sense that it would sound different, cos on paper it's the same DAC. But it does.
It's a shame i don't have the D50 III anymore to compare.
Anyway this is just based gut feelings and this place is literally called "audio science review", so don't take me too seriously obviously. I just wanted to put it out there to see if anyone felt the same way.

I have a D50 III (used with a L50 HPA) as well, and there is no audible difference to my ears between the two (literally the same DAC chips in both devices) outside of maybe not turning the volume up as much on the DX5 II's HPA vs. the L50.

 

[ziggurcat]

... I just keep seeing 'HP DC Abnormal' error, but in random songs when surpass around -9 db mark in low gain

That's quite loud even on low gain, so no wonder the DC protection was kicking in...

 

[ziggurcat]

Support for SPDIF modes was just added in firmware 1.62, available from main menu.

From https://www.toppingaudio.com/download/dx5-ii-version-v1-62-firmware-update

What was the default setting before this feature implementation?

 

[beefcat]

What was the default setting before this feature implementation?

The default setting is the "High Performance" option, which exhibits the same behavior I was getting before today's firmware update. The new compatibility mode setting cleared my issues up.

 

[ziggurcat]

The default setting is the "High Performance" option, which exhibits the same behavior I was getting before today's firmware update. The new compatibility mode setting cleared my issues up.

That was sound inconsistencies using toslink, yes (i.e cutting out, stuttering)?

 

[cleicher]

Checked the song on Spotify and i think this is a coding error in the stream. to be exact at eg 2.44, 2.55, 3.10, 3.15 3.20 . The unit should handle these errors better.

Issue resolved with firmware 1.62

 

[ziggurcat]

Issue resolved with firmware 1.62

Because they decreased the sensitivity of the protection.

 

[cleicher]

Because they decreased the sensitivity of the protection.

The moment it got stuck was not at a loud part.. so not sure. it's more a stream fault with calculation error i think. I've set my PC output to 100% to give all the information to the DAC. Did not test it with something like 80% volume on my PC.

 

[kkeretic]

Ok i just set up and have been listening for a couple hours. Early impression: I don't know what it is, but i could swear my previous stack of D50 III + L30 II sounded a bit better. It could be my imagination, this isn't a scientific test, but something feels like it's missing. I can't quite put my finger on it. DX5 II a tiny bit less clear? Or a bit less front-back depth? Or a smaller soundstage? I don't know what it is, but music isn't hitting me the same way. The previous setup's sound made me smile, but this doesn't feel that way.
Maybe it's the filter i'm using? (i don't remember what i used on the D50 III, damn). Or maybe some sort of setting? It wouldn't make sense that it would sound different, cos on paper it's the same DAC. But it does.
It's a shame i don't have the D50 III anymore to compare.
Anyway this is just based gut feelings and this place is literally called "audio science review", so don't take me too seriously obviously. I just wanted to put it out there to see if anyone felt the same way.

I had L30 the first version which was replaced with the A50s due to a known issue with L30. And the A50s never sounded like the L30 when used single ended. Only balanced. The DAC was and still is the same old good Topping D50s. It makes no sense and there is no rational explanation. But I feel like that. I will probably pick up an L30 II for that sentimental reason. Even found the original L30 2012 version for 99€ brand new, that thing really made me smile. Unexplainable.

 

[ziggurcat]

The moment it got stuck was not at a loud part.. so not sure. it's more a stream fault with calculation error i think. I've set my PC output to 100% to give all the information to the DAC. Did not test it with something like 80% volume on my PC.

I don't think it required the song to be at a loud part of the song for the protection to kick in. I'm sure it largely depends on the output volume.

 

[ngs428]

Is it typical for all settings to reset after the firmware update?

My first one, just curious. Only takes a minute to fix them.

 

[ziggurcat]

Is it typical for all settings to reset after the firmware update?

My first one, just curious. Only takes a minute to fix them.

It reset my settings after it finished updating, too. I think it's just what is part of this particular FW update, it did not do that with the last FW update. There must have been a reason.

 

[ziggurcat]

What is the actual audible difference between SPDIF mode 1 or 2, and what instances would you pick one over the other? None of the devices I've had have ever had this option.

 

[Flying Nun]

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?

Firmware update to 1.62 seems to have fixed these issues, except still threw an 'HP DC abnormal' code on Apple Music: Imogen Heap - First Train Home @ low gain 14dB.

 

[Musictech77]

Can someone explain why there are so many different filter types? Isn't the goal the best sound, with the fewest artifacts?
Which is the best for a punchy, natural sound with clear highs?
Which are the differences between those filters in terms of sound?
I received my dx5ii today and I ll set it up in the next 2 days.
Is there anything else I should pay attention to when setting it up?
I ll connect it with usb to my pc and I ll surely use the p-eq, after I take measurements with a specialized microphone I have.
I have an integrated amp which can also operate as a power amp(yamaha dsp a2070).
Do you like dx5ii as a preamp?

 

[Barncore]

Can someone explain why there are so many different filter types? Isn't the goal the best sound, with the fewest artifacts?
Which is the best for a punchy, natural sound with clear highs?
Which are the differences between those filters in terms of sound?
I received my dx5ii today and I ll set it up in the next 2 days.
Is there anything else I should pay attention to when setting it up?
I ll connect it with usb to my pc and I ll surely use the p-eq, after I take measurements with a specialized microphone I have.
I have an integrated amp which can also operate as a power amp(yamaha dsp a2070).
Do you like dx5ii as a preamp?

For me when i switched from F1 to F2 it sounded a bit better. A bit clearer.

I flicked through all of them and the linear phase filters sound the best to me (so F2,3,4,5). Don't know what it is, a bit more depth and clarity maybe. It's subtle though.

F1 sounds the least good to me, which is interesting cos it's the default one it ships with.

It's pretty subjective though i think. You just gotta flick through them and see for yourself.

As for other things to pay attention to: Download the driver, the latest firmware (follow the instructions and be careful), and the Topping Tune app for access to PEQ. When you make an EQ profile, right click on it and click "store to device", then you can run the PEQ profile on the unit without having to load the Topping Tune app. So basically, once you set the profiles on the app, you don't have to load the app again, which i appreciate very much. The drawback of that though is that the EQ gain settings only work in 0.5db increments, which is annoying. So things can only be 0.5, 1.0, -1.5, 2.0, etc. I don't know why that restriction has to be there. People with OCD will be pulling their hair out, lol. But hey, having on-board EQ is better than none at all, so i'll deal with it.
Anyway then enable PEQ on the device menu.

 

[Dandelion]

Ok i just set up and have been listening for a couple hours. Early impression: I don't know what it is, but i could swear my previous stack of D50 III + L30 II sounded a bit better. It could be my imagination, this isn't a scientific test, but something feels like it's missing. I can't quite put my finger on it. DX5 II a tiny bit less clear? Or a bit less front-back depth? Or a smaller soundstage? I don't know what it is, but music isn't hitting me the same way. The previous setup's sound made me smile, but this doesn't feel that way.
Maybe it's the filter i'm using? (i don't remember what i used on the D50 III, damn). Or maybe some sort of setting? It wouldn't make sense that it would sound different, cos on paper it's the same DAC. But it does.
It's a shame i don't have the D50 III anymore to compare.
Anyway this is just based gut feelings and this place is literally called "audio science review", so don't take me too seriously obviously. I just wanted to put it out there to see if anyone felt the same way.

Could be the filter, for example a linear filter could make you feel less impact, while using a minimum phase could cause partial phase cancellations depending on the music, making the high feels less clear or making you perceive less bottom/fullness. Usually when I mix and flicker an eq between linear or minimum phase the correct one sounds with more ass (even if I might have worked solely on the top end of the spectrum)