Topping DX5II Balanced DAC and Headphone Amp Review

[Timbo2]

In the same spirit as @ObjectiveSubjectivist if anybody uses this shelving unit - I have a 3D print that stops the DX5II from being pushed off the shelf when you press the knob to make selections. It's a bar that puts a stop behind the device, but sits below the power and rear output connections. Without the stop it makes the unit a annoying to use. It seemed too esoteric to bother to upload, but if anybody wants it I'm happy to put it on Printables as well.

I bought mine on Amazon, but it's also available on AliExpress from multiple vendors. The larger size JUST fits the device.

 

[Berwhale]

In the same spirit as @ObjectiveSubjectivist if anybody uses this shelving unit - I have a 3D print that stops the DX5II from being pushed off the shelf when you press the knob to make selections. It's a bar that puts a stop behind the device, but sits below the power and rear output connections. Without the stop it makes the unit a annoying to use. It seemed too esoteric to bother to upload, but if anybody wants it I'm happy to put it on Printables as well.

View attachment 480323

I bought mine on Amazon, but it's also available on AliExpress from multiple vendors. The larger size JUST fits the device.

I had exactly the same issue. However, my shelves are scalloped out on one side which i've put at the front. This allows me to push down on the DX5 II with my index finger whilst I push the volume button with my thumb

 

[Timbo2]

I had exactly the same issue. However, my shelves are scalloped out on one side which i've put at the front. This allows me to push down on the DX5 II with my index finger whilst I push the volume button with my thumb

My unit sits on the table next to me and it was akward to stabilize with the two finger approach. I suddently came up the idea to put a stop. It did take me three prints to make one that made me happy.

 

[Berwhale]

I made a simple brackets (3d model to print) for DX5 II for under the desk mounting, if anyone is interested you can get it from printables.
View attachment 480299


ps. I "just" bought a 3d printer, it's my first design and the first time I touched any CAD-like software... so any suggestions are welcomed

It looks very neat. However, I would be a little worried about hitting the headphone plug with my body and bending it or damaging the socket on the DX5 II.

Recently, I had to remount the controls on my standing desk in a more recessed position because I kept brushing the buttons with my body causing the desk to move...

 

[Berwhale]

My unit sits on the table next to me and it was akward to stabilize with the two finger approach. I suddently came up the idea to put a stop. It did take me three prints to make one that made me happy.

I'm sure I would have done the same if I had a 3D printer, but i've managed to avoid that rabbit hole (for now).

 

[Timbo2]

It looks very neat. However, I would be a little worried about hitting the headphone plug with my body and bending it or damaging the socket on the DX5 II.

Recently, I had to remount the controls on my standing desk in a more recessed position because I kept brushing the buttons with my body causing the desk to move...

View attachment 480330

A way to help mitigate that would be to recess it back a bit and angle the unit by tilting the rear downward - i.e. turn the top of the brackets into a triangular shape.

 

[Berwhale]

A way to help mitigate that would be to recess it back a bit and angle the unit by tilting the rear downward - i.e. turn the top of the brackets into a triangular shape.

Or it's an excuse to build yourself a custom headphone cable with a right angled 4.4mm plug

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

It looks very neat. However, I would be a little worried about hitting the headphone plug with my body and bending it or damaging the socket on the DX5 II.

Recently, I had to remount the controls on my standing desk in a more recessed position because I kept brushing the buttons with my body causing the desk to move...

View attachment 480330

Yup I understand your concern.
In my use case its not a problem since i have pretty long desk and the unit is on the far right

A way to help mitigate that would be to recess it back a bit and angle the unit by tilting the rear downward - i.e. turn the top of the brackets into a triangular shape

@Timbo2 thats actually could be very interesting, will se what I can do in the next days

 

[Space is the place]

I didn't realise when i ordered the DX5 II from Topping themselves that it was coming from China. Unfortunately it's lost at the UK end! (Evri).

I have a Cambridge Audio 200M Dac to play with while i'm waiting. The Cambridge sounds OK via the XLR outs in Preamp/Dac mode (although not as good as earlier Cambridge Dacs IMO) the headphone out on the Cambridge is poor at least with HD 650's. Hopefully if they find the DX5 IIit'll wake the 650s up a bit!

 

[Boredcarrot]

I just want to add that I have had my DX5II for a few weeks now and I'm more than happy with it. I'm not using it for headphones, but as a DAC/preamp connected to PC via USB and WiiM streamer via coax. I run the RCA outputs into a power amp for some PMC bookshelf speakers and the XLR balanced outputs into a separate pre/power combo dedicated to some bass units (in place of a sub/s). Very versatile product that suits me perfectly as I only listen to digital sources these days and even the PEQ has come in handy for some customisation and room correcting. Replaced a little D50III, but the DX5II is way nicer with the larger form factor, better PEQ and better controls on the unit itself, not to mention the sweet display. Chuffed!

 

[vazakh]

Hello!
Tooping DX5 ii allows you to import curves via Topping Tune. I use IK Multimedia Arc X software for correction, but the correction results are saved in the program's own format. How can I convert the file with the correction results to a format suitable for importing into Topping Tune?

 

[Mario1969]

Hello!
Tooping DX5 ii allows you to import curves via Topping Tune. I use IK Multimedia Arc X software for correction, but the correction results are saved in the program's own format. How can I convert the file with the correction results to a format suitable for importing into Topping Tune?

You won't be able to do that because ARC-X uses its own format, and Topping Tune only supports TXT.Besides, IK Multimedia does not provide a conversion tool..... I don't think there is any software that would be capable of such a conversion.

 

[vazakh]

I don't think there is any software that would be capable of such a conversion.

It's sad

 

[vazakh]

Deepseek gave two possible solutions

 

[somebodyelse]

Deepseek gave two possible solutions

Do either of them work, or did it just make them up?

 

[vazakh]

I haven't checked it yet, but it looks plausible

 

[Space is the place]

Just a bit of a heads up for those from the UK, i would avoid ordering from the Topping store direct as my parcel has gone missing. I have contacted Topping and looked at their shipping link and it says it's been delivered which is incorrect as Evri have lost it this end.
I have contacted Topping about this but have so far received no reply. Evri's response is "sorry it's lost, notify the shipper"
Buy from Amazon or a store in the UK would be my advice as i feel it's going to be a struggle to get my money back.

 

[jmdesignz2]

Deepseek gave two possible solutions

Which are?

 

[Berwhale]

Just a bit of a heads up for those from the UK, i would avoid ordering from the Topping store direct as my parcel has gone missing. I have contacted Topping and looked at their shipping link and it says it's been delivered which is incorrect as Evri have lost it this end.
I have contacted Topping about this but have so far received no reply. Evri's response is "sorry it's lost, notify the shipper"
Buy from Amazon or a store in the UK would be my advice as i feel it's going to be a struggle to get my money back.

Sorry to hear that. I've only had one item from China go missing. I bought a Topping A50s from ShenzhenAudio in 2020. The A50s got misplaced by the UK courier and ShenzhenAudio sent a replacement 11 days after the original delivery date. The original A50s turned up a few days after the 2nd one was delivered (so about 3 weeks late!)...

 

[Berwhale]

Which are?

Well here's one way... https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...imedia-arc-system-4.52509/page-3#post-2321027