Topping DX5II Balanced DAC and Headphone Amp Review

[Rayman30]

Mine arrived last week. Got it from Scan.co.uk, as I wanted ease of return, just in case. came with v1.49 firmware, so updated to the latest version (v1.67), with no hassle. The sticker on the bottom reads "power consipmton 15w".

Build quality is great, sturdy and solid, and better than I was expecting. Unit only feels very slightly warm after extended listening. I've been using BT exclusively, and noted occasional stutter/skipping for the first few mins, with either an android phone (Samsung S23 Ultra) or Windows laptop, which seems to stop after a few mins into a listening session. I like the flexibility of Bluetooth and no messing about with cables.

Overall I'm very pleased so far, it sounds so good with my HD 650s! Thanks to Amir and ASR for putting me onto Topping and the DX5II, it's a great bit of kit.

I am a big Topping guy myself, a long time ago when I started the Hobby I got a Schitt Stack with a Modi3 and a Magni3 Heresy with a pair of HD650 and Hifiman Sundara. One day I left the Magni3 on, the next day I found it was all static full blast through the connected Sundara (Headphones were warm to the touch) I was able to get a replacement amp from Schitt, but I did not trust them after that so I sold them. I immediately moved to using a Topping A50ii/D50ii setup, I recall I may have had a failure there with the amp but I honestly don't remember. I then upgraded to the Topping D30 Pro/A30 Pro (Which you see in my avatar) in 2021, I have been using them as my main setup ever since with absolutely no issues. I have various other devices I use here and there, my goal is to have a audio solution everywhere I sit, I use FiiO K11 (Living room chair) a Topping DX5 II (Bar area) a JDS Labs Element ii (Work desk) I also have travel solutions such as Hidizs S9 Pro, iFi Uno, Qudelix 5K, SMSL Sanskit Mkiii etc. I have more sources than headphones lol

 

[Spiral_Architect]

I am a big Topping guy myself, a long time ago when I started the Hobby I got a Schitt Stack with a Modi3 and a Magni3 Heresy with a pair of HD650 and Hifiman Sundara. One day I left the Magni3 on, the next day I found it was all static full blast through the connected Sundara (Headphones were warm to the touch) I was able to get a replacement amp from Schitt, but I did not trust them after that so I sold them. I immediately moved to using a Topping A50ii/D50ii setup, I recall I may have had a failure there with the amp but I honestly don't remember. I then upgraded to the Topping D30 Pro/A30 Pro (Which you see in my avatar) in 2021, I have been using them as my main setup ever since with absolutely no issues. I have various other devices I use here and there, my goal is to have a audio solution everywhere I sit, I use FiiO K11 (Living room chair) a Topping DX5 II (Bar area) a JDS Labs Element ii (Work desk) I also have travel solutions such as Hidizs S9 Pro, iFi Uno, Qudelix 5K, SMSL Sanskit Mkiii etc. I have more sources than headphones lol

I feel that DAC and AMP functionality for headphone listening are essentially a solved problem now. You can buy anything from Topping and other manufacturers and combine in any flavor and enjoy full transparency. Many dedicated amps even the "old" L30 that I have are essentially wire with gain, that can power 99% of headphones on the market to full potential even with EQ.

Like you said, I have a few units just because I need a couple of setups in different apartments where i work from home, but I didn't have anything to complain about the previous stack of E30+L30 that I was using or Loxjie D30 + L30, no difference. And PEQ with software worked well.

But...I prefer stuff that is mains powered (no power bricks), I want to avoid unnecessary cable clutter, I wanted PEQ independent of source.
The DX5ii is an all-in-one solution that provides all that features and with better technical/measured performance on all fronts compared to what I had (not that I needed it).
For me it's the end of the game. This thing delivers 5+W into 32Ohm what more should I need ?

 

[SorenTyson]

Ordered one It's going to replace Benchmark DAC1. Looking forward to the PEQ

 

[djgras]

I have an Atoll MS120, love it with Roon or Qobuz Connect. Also connected to my PC with usb to coax adapter, and to my LG 42C4 via its Toslink output.

 

[jodrim]

DX5 II version V1.69 firmware update

What's updated​

• Adjustment: HP DC abnormality detection scheme to further reduce false triggers.
• Fixed: Several other known issues.

Settings don't reset when upgrading from V1.67

 

[magor34]

Im getting the "HP DC Abnormal"-warning with Neo Tokyo Sprint by Sam Hullick, playing from Spotify (no lossless yet).
I'm unsure if that was the case before with the old firmware, can anyone confirm?

 

[Minato]

Mine arrived last week. Got it from Scan.co.uk as I wanted ease of return, just in case. came with v1.49 firmware, so updated to the latest version (v1.67), with no hassle. The sticker on the bottom reads "power consipmton 15w".

You need to specify if you have hardware version V0.15 or another version. You can see this in the Topping Tune software. This is the only way to understand if there are different hardware versions or if the 15 W label is an error. The correct label should say 30 W.

 

[Minato]

Aggiornamento firmware DX5 II versione V1.69

Le impostazioni non vengono ripristinate durante l'aggiornamento dalla versione V1.67

I haven't found any bugs in my DX5 II with version V1.67. It's perfect for me.
I don't understand why they didn't write down which “known issues” they fixed. A changelog should be transparent, not hide changes. How are we supposed to decide whether to update or not?

 

[magor34]

I haven't found any bugs in my DX5 II with version V1.67. It's perfect for me. I don't know if I'll update.
I don't understand why they didn't write down which “known issues” they fixed. A change log should be transparent, not hide changes. How are we supposed to decide whether to update?

This is a common issue with app updates too these days. Huge updates and nothing mentioned in the notes, like they are trying to hide things they don't want you to know.

 

[Minato]

This is a common issue with app updates too these days. Huge updates and nothing mentioned in the notes, like they are trying to hide things they don't want you to know.

That's a real shame. I took the risk of updating blindly and now I have version V1.69. I confirm that there was no reset of settings. I hope it doesn't give me any new problems.

 

[ziggurcat]

You need to specify if you have hardware version V0.15 or another version. You can see this in the Topping Tune software. This is the only way to understand if there are different hardware versions or if the 15 W label is an error. The correct label should say 30 W.

I think it's just an information correction on the label, and not a HW revision.

 

[ziggurcat]

A new update -- FW 1.72 -- has been added to the downloads

 

[Bleib]

A new update -- FW 1.72 -- has been added to the downloads

6. What's updated​

• New: Menu->Advanced->DC detect sens

• Adjustment: HP DC abnormality detection scheme to further reduce false triggers.

• Fixed: In DAC mode, the volume can still be adjusted via the knob when set to Line Out.

• Fixed: Several other known issues.


Another day, another firmware, lol

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

1.72 changelog

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

It deleted all my PEQ settings....

 

[Bleib]

It deleted all my PEQ settings....

Reset everything for me

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

Reset everything for me

Yes forgot to mention. Not only PEQ profiles were deleted - but that's obviously the most painful

 

[SnakeLord]

I've been using BT exclusively, and noted occasional stutter/skipping for the first few mins, with either an android phone (Samsung S23 Ultra) or Windows laptop, which seems to stop after a few mins into a listening session.

By any chance you are using Qobuz? Because that describes pretty much the problem i have/had exclusive with Qobuz. Some occasional jitter/stutter/lag/loss within the first 1-2 minutes of listening after a "cold start".

 

[Jeromeof]

I think mostly with every firmware update the PEQ profiles are reset. I think they should warm people to export them before doing any firmware update. But I still appreciate a company willing to push out regular updates.

 

[Berwhale]

I think mostly with every firmware update the PEQ profiles are reset. I think they should warm people to export them before doing any firmware update. But I still appreciate a company willing to push out regular updates.

It doesn't take me very long to copy from Local Config to User Config, but I only store 2 profiles on the device. I image the firmware releases will become less frequent as the bugs get squashed and i'm happy to suffer the small inconvenience whilst Topping improve the product.

*edit* I lost *all* my settings when I upgraded to 1.72. I took me 60 seconds to set the display settings, inputs, outputs and re-enable PEQ. Now to restart Topping Tune and re-copy the PEQ settings...