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Topping DX5 Review (DAC & HP Amp)

Rate this product:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 16 4.3%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 7 1.9%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 88 23.7%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 261 70.2%

  • Total voters
    372

Merkurio

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Jul 18, 2018
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You hit the nail on the head—sound quality does not differentiate DACs, feature sets do.

For me, I’d rather have my DAC perform D/A conversion and nothing else. DSP functions like the ones you mention can be performed through software located on the playback device—computer, tablet, or phone—or on the server.

This is viable when the software is powerful and stable enough.

For example, SoundSource on macOS is a joy to use with no major complains whatsoever for a system wide PEQ solution, meanwhile Equalizer APO + Peace GUI on Windows is a piece of crap (both GUI and integration-wise) which breaks with every Windows update.

That's why having hardware capability to EQ is such a demanded feature and RMEs have great reputation.
 

bahamot

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PEQ is available on Moode audio like software. Which can be easily paired with DAC.
 

Merkurio

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PEQ is available on Moode audio like software. Which can be easily paired with DAC.

But does it work as a full system solution? Can I use YouTube, Apple Music or any software with it enabled on Windows or macOS?
 

tavishdegroot

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I would like to ask anyone who has tested both the Topping DX5 and EX5, if the DX5 has a deeper (and grander?) soundstage than the EX5. Because both online reviews and my usage of my own EX5 have shown to me that the EX5 has a relatively shallow soundstage. I have found the EX5 soundstage to be, like online reviews say, a wall of sound in my face.
 

PeteL

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I would like to ask anyone who has tested both the Topping DX5 and EX5, if the DX5 has a deeper (and grander?) soundstage than the EX5. Because both online reviews and my usage of my own EX5 have shown to me that the EX5 has a relatively shallow soundstage. I have found the EX5 soundstage to be, like online reviews say, a wall of sound in my face.
Get ready to duck, tomatoes coming your way.
 

Merkurio

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I would like to ask anyone who has tested both the Topping DX5 and EX5, if the DX5 has a deeper (and better?) soundstage than the EX5. Because both online reviews and my usage of my own EX5 have shown to me that the EX5 has a relatively shallow soundstage. I have found the EX5 soundstage to be, like online reviews say, a wall of sound in my face.

Confirmation bias.

If online reviewers would have say that the soundstage is massive, then your brain would be perceiving it as a concert hall.

Instrument grade DAC/AMPs like these Toppings don't have any sound signature nor do they alter the original signal, conversely, we have reached a point where complete sound transparency has been democratized for quite some time.

It's all in your music, headphones/speakers and your brain.
 

Mario Sanchez

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Jan 11, 2021
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Topping might have a linear power amplifier coming soon-ish, the whole superb-measuring DAC,HPAmp and Combo Machines does get a little boring. (albeit in a good way)
I wish I can see the company stirring up other market segments too. Personally I wish they make something that is up there with Okto's 8ch offerings in a smaller package...
 

Phos

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I would like to ask anyone who has tested both the Topping DX5 and EX5, if the DX5 has a deeper (and grander?) soundstage than the EX5. Because both online reviews and my usage of my own EX5 have shown to me that the EX5 has a relatively shallow soundstage. I have found the EX5 soundstage to be, like online reviews say, a wall of sound in my face.
A full course in perception is beyond the scope of this forum post but the short version is that's not how soundstage works.
 

CedarWind108

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May 2, 2020
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Since this forum is about perfection, the amp section that is beat by the relatively cheap L30 and IEMagni could be a little better for IEMs.

I don’t mind the new design but prefer the “Hot Hatch” (to quote Topping) retro design of the previous products.

Hope the next DAC/AMP can improve the amp to perfection and incorporate one of the new AKM chips.
 

192kbps

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Apr 3, 2019
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Since this forum is about perfection, the amp section that is beat by the relatively cheap L30 and IEMagni could be a little better for IEMs.

I don’t mind the new design but prefer the “Hot Hatch” (to quote Topping) retro design of the previous products.

Hope the next DAC/AMP can improve the amp to perfection and incorporate one of the new AKM chips.
EX7? DX9Pro?
 

bkdc

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I have to agree with others. Measured perfection again is boring (and great). But what Topping needs to work on isn't textbook perfect SINAD but feature-set reliability. I would love to see a Topping that just works without quirks in any of the inputs. This is hard to do when you're putting out multiple new models every year. I want to see a refined model that just works and stays on the market for years and years with all the bugs worked out. Like the ADI-2. I don't think this jives with the Chinese business model.
 
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Doodski

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OooPs! Not supposed to use, "Ch-Fi." Peeps used it as a derogatory racist term so it's been banned here @ ASR.

Otherwise I'm on board with a solid model that is bug free and a performer.
 

bkdc

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Oops. Edited. Didn't mean anything derogatory. I only have respect for what's coming out of Guangzhou. Whatever manufacturing company made Oppo units a decade ago is still in business... and the innard layout of Oppos bear an eerie resemblance to the circuitboards inside a Gustard.
 
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onslash

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Nov 23, 2018
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Love the looks, matching poweramp with sub outs would be end game for a desktop setup.
 

Doodski

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the innard layout of Oppos bear an eerie resemblance to the circuitboards inside a Gustard.
It's not uncommon for PCBs to be made by a contract company and then different brand names use the same contractor for PCBs making and stuffing.
 

AlephAlpha001

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It's not uncommon for PCBs to be made by a contract company and then different brand names use the same contractor for PCBs making and stuffing.

Bingo. There’s a reason all these guys are based around Guangzhou / Dongguan / Shenzhen — there’s a huge hardware design / component supply / PCB assembly infrastructure there with roots going back 30+ years. And the same must go for CNC / metal bashing for cases, buttons, etc.

Head up the coast a few hours and you’ll find just about every carbon composite bicycle frame and wheel rim manufacturer there is. Specialised industries tend to cluster in ecosystems.

I saw some YouTube videos by a guy who went around Shenzhen PCB contractors looking at their capabilities.. Really very interesting and illuminating. He had a few funny episodes where he’d build a working iPhone from spare parts bought in electronics malls.
 

aj625

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Aug 31, 2021
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I have to agree. This latest Topping SINAD queen is boring. Deserves a yawning panther. I see no innovation here.
They should have put the pcb in 12kg billet aluminium casing with a blue uv meter and a big volume knob with number of lights and priced it $10k then it would have been very entertaining ? Isn't it ? Why people hate so much better measuring yet cheap products ? May be you have some extra cash than others !
 
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AlephAlpha001

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They should have out the pcb in 12kg billet aluminium casing with a blue uv meter and a big volume knob with number of lights and priced it $10k then it would have been very entertaining ? Isn't it ? Why people hate so much better measuring yet cheap products ? May be you have some extra cash than others ,,!
I’m surprised Haute Audiophoolia hasn’t insisted on cases being made of Low-background Steel fished up from the bottom of Scapa Flow.
 
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