Topping DX5II Balanced DAC and Headphone Amp Review

[Hapo]

...I was going to get this as a baby RME but was informed that the bar graph is basically a meaningless display we cannot interact with and that doesn't' show EQ adjustment...

...that sort of undermined my faith in the product...I will just keep saving and using Schiit stack for now...at least it is honest...

 

[Roland68]

...I was going to get this as a baby RME but was informed that the bar graph is basically a meaningless display we cannot interact with and that doesn't' show EQ adjustment...

...that sort of undermined my faith in the product...I will just keep saving and using Schiit stack for now...at least it is honest...

You should check your sources and your information.
The FFT display on the DX5 II works perfectly and quickly, and it has absolutely nothing to do with PEQ or EQ.

 

[Hapo]

You should check your sources and your information.
The FFT display on the DX5 II works perfectly and quickly, and it has absolutely nothing to do with PEQ or EQ.

...that was my point...what is its function beyond cosmetics...?!?...

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

...that was my point...what is its function beyond cosmetics...?!?...

The same as any other FFT visualizer.

 

[Roland68]

Perhaps you should do some research before posting something like this next time, because your statement

...I was going to get this as a baby RME but was informed that the bar graph is basically a meaningless display we cannot interact with and that doesn't' show EQ adjustment...

...that sort of undermined my faith in the product...I will just keep saving and using Schiit stack for now...at least it is honest...

applies equally to all RME ADI devices and others with an FFT display. The guy who said that really knows his stuff.

The Fast Fourier Transform graphically shows you what's currently being played back, i.e., the composition of the signal you're hearing, very simply put.
Besides, it's one of the important measurements in the audio field.

There's a different display for the PEQ range, and if you know what you're doing, you can also see the effects of extreme PEQ settings on the FFT display.

 

[Hapo]

...the AI didn't explain that very well...I did not understand that there was a sperate display, only that the graph was not it...

...thank you for the intelligent and non-manipulative response....

...methinks am still going to pass on the DX5II because of the DSP only affecting headphone output...

...the headphone output to power amp solution is not something I am willing to embrace going in...

 

[Jcrow]

...the AI didn't explain that very well...I did not understand that there was a sperate display, only that the graph was not it...

...thank you for the intelligent and non-manipulative response....

...methinks am still going to pass on the DX5II because of the DSP only affecting headphone output...

...the headphone output to power amp solution is not something I am willing to embrace going in...

lol you have got to stop using AI!
The PEQ applies to all outputs!

 

[Hapo]

...thanks...I couldn't understand why they would implement a device like that...

...I have decided to trust your data over the AI I have been consulting...it has manipulated my opinions with false data...LoL...

 

[Jcrow]

...thanks...I couldn't understand why they would implement a device like that...

...I have decided to trust your data over the AI I have been consulting...it has manipulated my opinions with false data...LoL...

AI is useful useful, but you have to be careful with it because it's often innaccurate.
If you want PEQ in a DAC and headphone amp Dx5 ii is a good option. For the price it's great value. Some users have had issues relating to relability, but it's hard to know how systemic it is. I've had one for a few months now without any issues.

 

[Bauhaus]

Perhaps you should do some research before posting something like this next time, because your statement

applies equally to all RME ADI devices and others with an FFT display. The guy who said that really knows his stuff.

The Fast Fourier Transform graphically shows you what's currently being played back, i.e., the composition of the signal you're hearing, very simply put.
Besides, it's one of the important measurements in the audio field.

There's a different display for the PEQ range, and if you know what you're doing, you can also see the effects of extreme PEQ settings on the FFT display.

I’m curious about how to interpret this properly. Is it similar to a frequency response graph?
Let’s say in a song, when it gets spicy (treble, upper treble), could you see it? I apologize, I’m a bit of a beginner.
It can become quite overwhelming when you begin delving into this hobby.

 

[leungie]

Hi guys.

For office use, connected via USB to my computer. Using hifiman edition XV.

Listen to all kinds of music but just causally whilst I'm at work.

Im a noob so... My qn is

Seems like this meets all my needs? No real reason to spend twice the amount on something like the Fiio K15 or K17 (dont need the 31 band PEQ).

Thx

 

[NecroRAM]

So whats the consensus on this vs the K13 R2R? Im looking for a DAC/amp with XLR balanced outputs to be my all in one audio device (currently im using a Scarlett 4i4 for the speakers and K11 for hp). Im considering these 2 and the Fosi ZH3. The DX5 II fits into my setup the best in terms of its size, Im also looking for built-in PEQ and whichever has the ability to switch outputs with one click without having to go through the menus.

 

[Jcrow]

Hi guys.

For office use, connected via USB to my computer. Using hifiman edition XV.

Listen to all kinds of music but just causally whilst I'm at work.

Im a noob so... My qn is

Seems like this meets all my needs? No real reason to spend twice the amount on something like the Fiio K15 or K17 (dont need the 31 band PEQ).

Thx

Yeah more than enough. But depends how much you value aesthetics, what functionality you need, and how much money you have. I really like the look of the K17 but ended up with a DX5ii. It’s great value but doesn’t necessarily have the most flair

 

[leungie]

Yeah more than enough. But depends how much you value aesthetics, what’s functionality you need, and how much money you have. I really like the look of the K17 but ended up with a DX5ii. It’s great value but doesn’t necessarily have the most flair

Always a battle:
Why spend more on something when a cheaper one works great.
Why not buy something 'nicer' which we'd be using daily for a long time.

 

[Jcrow]

So whats the consensus on this vs the K13 R2R? Im looking for a DAC/amp with XLR balanced outputs to be my all in one audio device (currently im using a Scarlett 4i4 for the speakers and K11 for hp). Im considering these 2 and the Fosi ZH3. The DX5 II fits into my setup the best in terms of its size, Im also looking for built-in PEQ and whichever has the ability to switch outputs with one click without having to go through the menus.

I don’t know that there is a consensus here, and I don’t know of any measurements for the K13. Given it’s an R2R dac, I assume it wont measure quite as well as the Topping. R2R is more of a gimmick really.
Just get the topping and call it a day, I’d say.

 

[Roland68]

I’m curious about how to interpret this properly. Is it similar to a frequency response graph?
Let’s say in a song, when it gets spicy (treble, upper treble), could you see it? I apologize, I’m a bit of a beginner.
It can become quite overwhelming when you begin delving into this hobby.

The topic is a bit more complex; you'll simply have to read up on it.
To put it very simply, the DX5 II displays the currently playing music signal in terms of frequency and amplitude. This is a very simplified representation, as is possible with a 2D display.
With this, you can't directly see if the high frequencies are "sharp," but you can estimate the amplitude relative to other frequencies.
However, this is only a very small fraction of what you can do with FFT measurements.
Amir made a video about it:
Understanding FFT in Audio Measurements
And NTI Audio is one of the specialists on the subject:
NTI Audio Know-How FFT
You can also find a lot of information on other topics there.

 

[leungie]

Yeah more than enough. But depends how much you value aesthetics, what functionality you need, and how much money you have. I really like the look of the K17 but ended up with a DX5ii. It’s great value but doesn’t necessarily have the most flair

I saw a decent deal on a basically new used k15 for 380usd. Used k17 for 560usd.

But I'll most likely get a new dx5ii 250usd. With the saved money, can add the new Fiio Warmer rsr tube dac later

 

[Hapo]

Hey what about this? Should I looking for new device? It looks like nothing happend thing but i dont know im obviously new in audio it would be my first device in audio and i dont know what should think. If dx5 II is bad by any important aspect please tell me and/or rec another device
Thanks!

I don't think it is bad. It is actually very good @ all reports far, but it might be sub optimal in some respects. Every device involves a selection of compromises.

FWIW it is being described as delivering 80% of the vaunted RME ADI-2 DAC FS device at 20% of the cost.

 

[Hapo]

AI is useful useful, but you have to be careful with it because it's often innaccurate.
If you want PEQ in a DAC and headphone amp Dx5 ii is a good option. For the price it's great value. Some users have had issues relating to relability, but it's hard to know how systemic it is. I've had one for a few months now without any issues.

does one need to access the PEQ functions though a computer? That would suk

 

[NecroRAM]

I saw a decent deal on a basically new used k15 for 380usd. Used k17 for 560usd.

But I'll most likely get a new dx5ii 250usd. With the saved money, can add the new Fiio Warmer rsr tube dac later

Where can I get a new dx5ii for 250$? Its 300$ everywhere I look.