Topping DX5II Balanced DAC and Headphone Amp Review

[WeekendWarrior]

As someone has already asked; how do you chose which Topping DAC to buy, given that measurements say they will sound identical, and most have similar features? The one feature missing from their range is streaming functionality.

Anyway, another great DAC to add to their list of great DACs.

 

[Razael]

but why when i plug in smsl raw mda and topping dx7 pro into a70 pro using same cable it sound different. smsl has smoother treble. that is why i wish dx5 II would have same sound signature as a70 pro. i am waiting for my unit till 20 aug (factory delay).

 

[mermayer]

The Topping DX5II is a beautiful device with very good features at a great price, but 2 important things are missing:
- loudness function for the analogue stereo outputs
- crossfeed for the headphones

So it is no replacement for an RME ADI-2 DAC, although I really appreciate the trigger ports.

 

[unpluggged]

The Topping DX5II is a beautiful device with very good features at a great price, but 2 important things are missing:
- loudness function for the analogue stereo outputs
- crossfade for the headphones

So it is no replacement for an RME ADI-2 DAC, although I really appreciate the trigger ports.

Also no autoref function, no M/S processing, no stereo width adjustment, no DC protection filter, no phase switch per channel, no deemphasis, no independent EQ for different outputs active simultaneously, no loopback, low line output level, generic drivers, poor support.

 

[Deleted member 86328]

Also no autoref function, no M/S processing, no stereo width adjustment, no DC protection filter, no phase switch per channel, no deemphasis, no independent EQ for different outputs active simultaneously, no loopback, low line output level, generic drivers, poor support.

I very recently purchased an ADI-2 DAC myself, and it’s clear that at that price point you gain certain additional features and a deeper level of quality — though some of those features are mainly relevant for studio use or technical experimentation. That said, the DX5 II remains an excellent choice for those seeking quality and simplicity, and it would be a shame to discourage those who don’t need or can’t yet afford an ADI-2.

 

[Joachim Herbert]

The Topping DX5II is a beautiful device with very good features at a great price, but 2 important things are missing:
- loudness function for the analogue stereo outputs
- crossfade for the headphones

So it is no replacement for an RME ADI-2 DAC, although I really appreciate the trigger ports.

It's not meant to be. THE DX5II is a great DAC paired with a very powerful headphone amp that also serves well as a simple monitor controller.

Everyone looking for one of those RMEs can get these at very attractive prices during their summer sale.

Edit: If you need POWER you should aim at the ADI-2/4. Probably less output than the Topping, but that's as good as it gets.

 

[AudioSceptic]

This is a review, listening tests and detailed measurements of the Topping DX5 II Smart DAC and balanced headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $299.
View attachment 464540
The DX5II is beautiful to look at especially due to its very high contrast and bright display. Love the extra buttons so that you don't have to remember how to change the settings just by clicking the volume control. Nice set of visualizations are including a highly responsive/fast spectrum display. Alas, its lowest frequency is 50 Hz and I wish it would go down to 20 Hz. Likewise, there is nice VU meter but only shows one channel (or is it a sum). Wish there was a stereo version even if it is one meter with two needles.

I call this DAC "smart" as it has full set of parametric EQ allowing you to correct the response for either your speaker/headphones, your room or your taste.
Love that despite the compact size, the power supply is built in, and we have trigger in and out:
View attachment 464543

A remote control is also provided (my sample is early and is missing that).

Topping DX5II Measurements
In the interest of brevity and my sanity , I am only going to measure the XLR output for the DAC. For the headphone data, I do show both outputs. So let's start with the pre-amp XLR out:
View attachment 464545
Distortion and noise are vanishingly small as we have learned to expect from Topping, landing the DX5II in our top-20 best ever DACs:

View attachment 464546

Dynamic range is exceptional:
View attachment 464547

As is IMD:
View attachment 464548

There is tiniest bit of jitter with USB but is audibly beyond negligible at -140 dB:
View attachment 464549

Multitone showcases the incredibly low distortion:
View attachment 464550

Linearity is ever so imperfect at the start:
View attachment 464551

Default filter shows off how good the out of band attenuation is above 24 kHz:
View attachment 464552
View attachment 464553

50 Hz output into 600 ohm load shows exceptional performance:
View attachment 464554

Wideband distortion is very low:
View attachment 464555

Topping DX5II Headphone Output Measurements
Topping advertises very high output power and we see that in the balanced outputs:
View attachment 464556
View attachment 464557

It is amazing to see so much power coming out of this little box. The unit is also very resilient down to the lowest impedance of 12 ohm:
View attachment 464558

Finally, residual noise is very low but just short of state of the art:
View attachment 464559
View attachment 464560

Topping DX5 II Listening Tests
I connected my everyday Dan Clark E3 headphone to the DX5II and started to listen. I must say, I was not ready for the experience. I had so much headroom despite the relative insensitivity of the E3. At about -10 dB, I would start to worry about my hearing. Push a bit more and I could feel my inner ear resonating. Clarity and overall fidelity was so good that I melted in my chair and didn't want to get up to take pictures of it for the review! Such incredible performance from such a small package...

Conclusions
No matter how many times Topping produces exceptional audio products, testing their new offerings always puts a smile on my face. They are constantly competing with themselves, upping the performance in every category possible. They now bring extra features in the form of DSP and delightful look and feel. Measured performance is essentially without fault although leaves a tiny space for higher end models to fill. My wish is that you all can afford to save up and buy at least this level of performance for your audio system.

It is my pleasure to recommend the Topping DX5 II DAC and Headphone Amplifier.

------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.

Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/

Great in every way except... is the default filter really OK when it's only -10 dB at 22 kHz? Surely we can't ignore what's needed for Red Book?

 

[TheWalkman]

To quote Amir:

Love the extra buttons so that you don't have to remember how to change the settings just by clicking the volume control.

Amen. I have several Topping amps and preamps and the user interface and cryptic owners sheet have always been their Achilles Heel.

I hope the added buttons on the front of the unit correct this.

 

[perdido34]

Does this unit come with the same terrible remote that Topping has had for years?

 

[Joachim Herbert]

Does this unit come with the same terrible remote that Topping has had for years?

Same yes, terrible no. Maybe you should look somewhere else?

 

[welwynnick]

Great in every way except... is the default filter really OK when it's only -10 dB at 22 kHz? Surely we can't ignore what's needed for Red Book?

A 20kHz tone will generate an image at 24.1kHz where it will be inaudible and heavily attenuated. You could always use filter F2 instead, which does fully attenuate at Nyquist.

 

[Zetti]

I like their remote. Simple but effective.

 

[Sokel]

Does this unit come with the same terrible remote that Topping has had for years?

It's not the famous "sniper's" one, is it?

My understanding is that they improved that, sometime ago. I wouldn't worry about that.

 

[Dandelion]

The Topping DX5II is a beautiful device with very good features at a great price, but 2 important things are missing:
- loudness function for the analogue stereo outputs
- crossfade for the headphones

So it is no replacement for an RME ADI-2 DAC, although I really appreciate the trigger ports.

You mean crossfeed?

 

[Dandelion]

Also no autoref function, no M/S processing, no stereo width adjustment, no DC protection filter, no phase switch per channel, no deemphasis, no independent EQ for different outputs active simultaneously, no loopback, low line output level, generic drivers, poor support.

My guy you’re looking for an audio interface/mixer

 

[perdido34]

Same yes, terrible no. Maybe you should look somewhere else?

This remote, and it's terrible. It's not backlit, I got it with my Topping D50s DAC. I like the DAC, but not the remote.

 

[AudioSceptic]

A 20kHz tone will generate an image at 24.1kHz where it will be inaudible and heavily attenuated. You could always use filter F2 instead, which does fully attenuate at Nyquist.

Thanks. I didn't realise that another filter was available, but it's not whether 24.1 would itself be audible but whether aliases are produced, isn't it?

 

[Roland68]

Topping's equivalent to the SMSL RAW MDA-1: same functionality, same price, and same performance

I don't see any equivalents; the DX5 II offers a significantly better price/performance ratio for me.
The DAC may be equivalent, but the headphone amplifier is absolutely not comparable. Aside from the fact that the noise levels are slightly better on the DX5 II, the power is four times higher; that's a different class of device, and it also costs a lot extra to bring the RAW-MDA 1 up to that level with an additional HPA.
Besides the FFT and VU display, the RAW-MDA 1 lacks the 10-channel PEQ, which is also a big difference.

In contrast to the DX5 II, two other things bother me about the RAW-MDA 1. I've already had two different RAW-MDA 1s here for testing, and for me, the HPA wasn't as transparent as the L70 or DX5 II. Very low and not a world of difference, but it shouldn't be. Perhaps this is due to the HPA's very simple transistor circuitry, which SMSL has only used in cheaper devices for many years.
The second issue is the SMPS, which is soldered directly onto the board from individual components, presumably another cost-saving measure. The typically encapsulated power supplies from experienced manufacturers can be easily replaced in the event of a failure. This power supply is likely difficult to repair.

 

[mermayer]

You mean crossfeed?

Of course, thank you.

 

[Somafunk]

The Topping DX5II is a beautiful device with very good features at a great price, but 2 important things are missing:
- loudness function for the analogue stereo outputs
- crossfade for the headphones

So it is no replacement for an RME ADI-2 DAC, although I really appreciate the trigger ports.

Also no autoref function, no M/S processing, no stereo width adjustment, no DC protection filter, no phase switch per channel, no deemphasis, no independent EQ for different outputs active simultaneously, no loopback, low line output level, generic drivers, poor support.

Yep, and it doesn’t grind my beans and make my espresso either, that’s a dealbreaker for me