Topping DX5 Review (DAC & HP Amp)

[slowpork]

are there ANY devices you know like this, which will allow multiple inputs to play sound at the same time?

Should it be your diagram #1 but put Topping behind mixer?

 

[Zhouya]

What's the main difference between this one and Topping Ex5？Is it worth 100USD?

 

[odyo]

What's the main difference between this one and Topping Ex5？Is it worth 100USD?

Get the dx3pro+. Basically same but $199

 

[Zhouya]

Get the dx3pro+. Basically same but $199

But dx3pro+ doesn't have a bal output, I need that. So I prefer EX5 or DX 5

 

[dsnyder0cnn]

But dx3pro+ doesn't have a bal output, I need that. So I prefer EX5 or DX 5

What kind of balanced output do you need? Line outputs (for active speakers) or headphones with balanced cables?

 

[Zhouya]

What kind of balanced output do you need? Line outputs (for active speakers) or headphones with balanced cables?

A headphone with balanced cables. HD650

 

[audiofun]

A headphone with balanced cables. HD650

EX5 does not have balanced headphone output. it has a 4-pin XLR jack, but the output is single ended.
You can refer to the official spec and find xlr and 1/4 jack have exactly the same spec.

 

[RHO]

A headphone with balanced cables. HD650

If there's enough power available there's no need for a balanced connection to headphones. It makes no difference.
Having an XLR or 4.4mm connection available for convenience is nice to have.
If the SE output is lacking in performance a balanced output with 4x the power is great.
But with the performance of the SE output on these recent Topping products there's no problem with the XLR connection being only for convenience. It should be plenty for your HD650.

 

[Zhouya]

EX5 does not have balanced headphone output. it has a 4-pin XLR jack, but the output is single ended.
You can refer to the official spec and find xlr and 1/4 jack have exactly the same spec.

yeah I checked it carefully, and found that. Thanks for attenting me.

 

[dsnyder0cnn]

yeah I checked it carefully, and found that. Thanks for attenting me.

Yup. I'm rocking my HD650 headphones this morning from the DX3 Pro+ this morning. I have a balanced cable on them now, which I bought for use with another amp (THX AAA 789), but I can use the HD650 just fine on the DX3 Pro+ with this little adapter…easier than changing cables.

Amazon.com: NewFantasia 3.5mm 1/8" TRS Male & 6.3mm 1/4" Adapter to 4-pin XLR Balanced Female Headphone Audio Adapter Cable : Electronics

Buy NewFantasia 3.5mm 1/8" TRS Male & 6.3mm 1/4" Adapter to 4-pin XLR Balanced Female Headphone Audio Adapter Cable: Extension Cords - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

I definitely don't feel that I'm missing anything. No crosstalk issues, etc.

 

[Zhouya]

Yup. I'm rocking my HD650 headphones this morning from the DX3 Pro+ this morning. I have a balanced cable on them now, which I bought for use with another amp (THX AAA 789), but I can use the HD650 just fine on the DX3 Pro+ with this little adapter…easier than changing cables.

Amazon.com: NewFantasia 3.5mm 1/8" TRS Male & 6.3mm 1/4" Adapter to 4-pin XLR Balanced Female Headphone Audio Adapter Cable : Electronics

Buy NewFantasia 3.5mm 1/8" TRS Male & 6.3mm 1/4" Adapter to 4-pin XLR Balanced Female Headphone Audio Adapter Cable: Extension Cords - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

I definitely don't feel that I'm missing anything. No crosstalk issues, etc.

It looks nice, I will search this in a shopping website in china. Thanks a lot.

 

[Plcamp]

Couple of questions…

I have seen several topping DACs with reported problems syncing to toslink from devices like TV’s and CD players. Do we know if this one has that issue?

On this device, is the volume control for headphones independent from the volume control on xlr/rca out?

Is there a distance limit on usb connections between this and a pc?

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

I could not resist any longer,
and ordered a dx5 today.
Finally a design from Topping that I like.
The housing / ground , are connected to PE, right?

 

[mario_rouge]

Sabaj A20d 2022 Version ES9038PRO DAC XLR RCA DSD512 Support Headphone

Brand Name: Sabaj A20d 2022 Version Balanced ES9038PRO DAC Type: Desktop ES9038PRO DAC Inputs: USB. Optical,. Coaxial, Bluetooth Output：6.35mm/4.4mm headphone,. RCA. XLR Output level: RCA 2.OVrms. XLR 4.OVrms HPA power:2W*2(16Ω) 1W*2(32Ω) HPA gain:LOW 0dB, HIGH +8dB...

hifi-express.com

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

???

 

[mario_rouge]

another hpa dac with 9038pro, the battle of cheap HPA DACs is getting richer and richer in contenders

 

[theREALdotnet]

another hpa dac with 9038pro, the battle of cheap HPA DACs is getting richer and richer in contenders

And this one has beefy handles at the front, which will make it sooo much easier to move it around…

 

[hidehide]

What kind of balanced output do you need? Line outputs (for active speakers) or headphones with balanced cables?

What will be your take if I need a balanced output for active speaker as well? Planning to get the Focal Alpha 65 Evo and would also need a dac + headphone amp for my LCD-3.

 

[dsnyder0cnn]

What will be your take if I need a balanced output for active speaker as well? Planning to get the Focal Alpha 65 Evo and would also need a dac + headphone amp for my LCD-3.

With that gear, the DX5 or E50 + L50 stack starts to make more sense. Powered monitors seem to benefit from 4V drive.

 

[hidehide]

With that gear, the DX5 or E50 + L50 stack starts to make more sense. Powered monitors seem to benefit from 4V drive.

Interesting on the E50 + L50 as separate should be better than AIO.
I see the E50 only has one balanced TRS output and one SE RCA output. So either the speaker or the headphone amp will need to be sacrificed to use SE input?

Edit: Sorry, I missed out the pass through on the L50. So E50+L50 combine seems nicer than the DX5! Let me take more in depth look on it. Thanks!