Topping DX5II Balanced DAC and Headphone Amp Review

[ziggurcat]

I picked this up the other day and have unfortunately been running into issues with the optical input. USB is perfect, but for some reason optical produces popping sounds, which renders it unusable for me. Changing the SPDIF mode to 2 helps in that it reduces the pops to every few minutes, but it's still far too distracting. Tried different toslink cables of all kinds of different lengths to no avail. Very odd.

No issues with my Schiit stack so I guess it's a firmware issue? I see many posts about pops here, but I'm unclear if my experience is largely similar to what I'm reading about. I'm not really an expert with audio stuff so I just wanted to a bit of reassurance this isn't some issue with my purchase. Thanks!

Again... what FW is installed on your DX5 II? FW v1.93 fixes a hiccup issue related to the SPDIF inputs. It's an issue I reported to them.

 

[AnimeAjay]

Again... what FW is installed on your DX5 II? FW v1.93 fixes a hiccup issue related to the SPDIF inputs. It's an issue I reported to them.

Sorry, I should have mentioned that. I'm on V1.93. It unfortunately didn't fix anything for me.

 

[Catsmeow]

The fit and finish on this unit are absolute dogsh*t. It looks like someone got a can on krylon and painted it white. Hopefully the engineering aspect of it fares better.

 

[ziggurcat]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that. I'm on V1.93. It unfortunately didn't fix anything for me.

I have no such popping on my unit at all. It's possible that you got a faulty unit as I use the OPT input all of the time. I've definitely reported issues related to it, but not anything like that.

I also may have misunderstood what you said -- I mistook it to mean that you are experiencing a hiccup, which was an issue they fixed with v1.93 (one that I personally reported).

 

[Mutex]

The fit and finish on this unit are absolute dogsh*t. It looks like someone got a can on krylon and painted it white. Hopefully the engineering aspect of it fares better.

Was it a gift, or did you order by phone from a newspaper ad? How can someone be that disappointed with the looks of something, if there's literally hundreds of pictures and close-up videos one can check before placing an order?

 

[Morla]

Was it a gift, or did you order by phone from a newspaper ad? How can someone be that disappointed with the looks of something, if there's literally hundreds of pictures and close-up videos one can check before placing an order?

Probably a topping hater. Have a look at post history

 

[ziggurcat]

It’s the Tripowin Granvia. It feels excellently made, better made than some significantly more expensive options I’ve gotten to try out. Highly recommend it!

Just a quick follow-up to this:

I finally got my cable the other day (first attempt, they lost the order, and the second attempt with a different seller was delayed because they weren't being honest with me on when it was shipped, but it still got here). I got the grey/teal version, and it's very nice -- super soft, very flexible, and well-built. Only thing was there is no L or R indicators on the 3.5mm/headphone end, so I had to guess which way to connect the cable (which I got wrong), but other than that it's pretty much exactly what I want in a cable.

Anyway, sorry to distract, I just wanted to update.

 

[Catsmeow]

Probably a topping hater. Have a look at post history

My dac is a D90 III. Not a topping hater.

 

[Catsmeow]

Was it a gift, or did you order by phone from a newspaper ad? How can someone be that disappointed with the looks of something, if there's literally hundreds of pictures and close-up videos one can check before placing an order?

Bought it from Amazon. Didn't like fit and finish, sent it back. Pretty simple.

 

[evalrat]

The current firmware on the device is 1.76 as delivered. It still seems to count as the current stable version if I follow this thread, so I didn't try to update it, the reports on the newer versions gave no indication that they addressed my problem.

As to the possible causes I still have no idea. I a not really bothered by the dropout when inserting or removing the headphone, as it happens during a intervention from myself.

As far as the drop/stutter., This only happens once or twice in a day and this combination sounds that good that I will keep it even if the issue is never solved.
It may even be caused by a hick-up in the upstream buffers of the Marantz ND8006 even though it has functioned without a hitch for the past 5 years. But this is the first time I am using it's SPDIF output employing the unit as a transport.

The phenomenon however each time seemed to coincide with a expected strong raise in volume of the music played at that moment.

I updated the unit to 1.93.
I will report back my findings after listening for a day or two.

 

[RickS]

Thread is napping and will return after I review.

EDIT: Thread is open again. Some posts were deleted. Please try to focus on product and be respectful of other's opinions.

 

[evalrat]

I updated the unit to 1.93.
I will report back my findings after listening for a day or two.

I originally posted the following.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Issue 1 which is repeatable.
I use the device to replace a dbx equalizer. This means I use it primarily to equalize out a bass resonance in my Quad Esl electrostatics. Works like a charm. But of course I also exploit the extra option to use and equalize my HD 600 headphones in one go.
The strange issue occurs when I connect or disconnect the headphones while playing music over the loudspeakers (LO SE output). The second I pull the headphone plug the speaker sound drops away for a second or so. The other way around I when connect the headphones the speaker sound drops away for a second just when the headphone plug touches the metal of the 6,35 mm to 3.5 mm converter I use.
I suspect there must be something inside the DX5 II that is very sensitive to stray electric charges.

Issue 2 is not easily repeatable.
I have the Topping connected to a Maranz Streamer / Cd player via spdif. The Maranz is used a a digital selector, my record player plays over the Maranz via a minidsp pocketadc, my computer is connected via a 15 m ssnake optical spdif and when I need another input it is also connected via an ADC. The Maranz itself is a streamer / internet radio spotify endpoint etc. (This chain went from mostly analog into a digital system, only the power amp still is analog).
After this long preambule, the issue. When playing through the Topping every now and again suddenly the volume increases or drops by quite a margin for just one or two seconds. Not unlike the dropout in the headphone scenario, but it doesn't only drop out, the volume increases as well on occasions. There is no difference in connecting the Topping through coax or optical. I stress that this never happened with the amp connected to analog outputs of the Maranz itself. It's unique with the signal path through the Topping.
I suspect that both phenomena have a common origin, that might even have a connection with the usb issues
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I updated the unit to 1.93
After letting the unit play for 2 days, I can confirm that the SPDIF issues have dissappeared. No dropouts. no hick-ups anymore. Issue 2 seems fully solved.

Issue 1 however occurred once again during that period. It happened when I wanted change some settings. I picked up the unit actively playing. While I was busy doing that I I touched the 4 pin XLR socked with a finger while holding the unit in the palm of my hand and the music dropped out for about a second.
I already mentioned I consider this issue as a minor nuisance I can live with.

Thanks to all members that helped me with their thinking powers. I am sure now I am going to enjoy this little device.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

Two questions.

1 - I see comment of a few issues, firmware updates. etc. If you're not using the EQ, just using this as a DAC (set the filter once, then leave it forever), and headphone amp, are these issues a non-issue?

2 - If I have a pair of balanced headphones, and a pair of unbalanced, (Moondrop Para 2 and AKG K371) can I plug both in (Moondrop to one of the balanced outs, AKG to the unbalanced out), can I leave both plugged in, and just switch between them?

Many thanks.

 

[evalrat]

Two questions.

1 - I see comment of a few issues, firmware updates. etc. If you're not using the EQ, just using this as a DAC (set the filter once, then leave it forever), and headphone amp, are these issues a non-issue?

2 - If I have a pair of balanced headphones, and a pair of unbalanced, (Moondrop Para 2 and AKG K371) can I plug both in (one to one of the unbalanced outs, the other to the balanced out), can I leave both plugged in, and just switch between them?

Many thanks.

Issue 1 is more or less a non-issue.

Issue 2 however was quite damaging when using the DAC with spdif input. I specifically waited for a unit like this to appear because I want no physical connection between my computer and my audio set. Don't like buzzing computers in the background. But of course I don't mind using a computer for software maintenance or programming the PEQ.

Another member mentioned that all HP sockets are live at the same time. So you will have tot insert and pull plugs as needed.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

Issue 1 is more or less a non-issue.

Issue 2 however was quite damaging when using the DAC with spdif input. I specifically waited for a unit like this to appear because I want no physical connection between my computer and my audio set. Don't like buzzing computers in the background. But of course I don't mind using a computer for software maintenance or programming the PEQ.

Another member mentioned that all HP sockets are live at the same time. So you will have tot insert and pull plugs as needed.

Sorry, forgive my lack of knowledge, but I don’t understand your answer to 2. Why is having 2 headphones plugged in an issue? Can I not switch between them? Many thanks.

 

[Morla]

All active outputs play at the same time. You can individually disable outputs in the menu.

I think PEQ is not individual? EDIT: yes also individual

 

[Berwhale]

Two questions.

1 - I see comment of a few issues, firmware updates. etc. If you're not using the EQ, just using this as a DAC (set the filter once, then leave it forever), and headphone amp, are these issues a non-issue?

2 - If I have a pair of balanced headphones, and a pair of unbalanced, (Moondrop Para 2 and AKG K371) can I plug both in (Moondrop to one of the balanced outs, AKG to the unbalanced out), can I leave both plugged in, and just switch between them?

Many thanks.

1 - I think most of the issues relate to users who have the DX5 II plugged into a PC or Mac and who are using the Topping Tune app for PEQ, etc. My DX5 II is quite stable now. I might loose the PEQ settings if I reboot, but I don't do that very often.

2 - Yes, HP SE and HP BAL are independently selectable, as are all the outputs. For example, I have only LO BAL and HPA BAL enabled as outputs and switch between them by pressing the volume knob (the volume button can be set to cycle through all enabled outputs). I have PEQ memory set to follow output, so the PEQ for my monitors and headphones is automatically applied. I don't see any reason why you couldn't have just HPA SE and HPA BAL enabled and do the same.

 

[ziggurcat]

Two questions.

1 - I see comment of a few issues, firmware updates. etc. If you're not using the EQ, just using this as a DAC (set the filter once, then leave it forever), and headphone amp, are these issues a non-issue?

2 - If I have a pair of balanced headphones, and a pair of unbalanced, (Moondrop Para 2 and AKG K371) can I plug both in (Moondrop to one of the balanced outs, AKG to the unbalanced out), can I leave both plugged in, and just switch between them?

Many thanks.

1. Most likely a non-issue. You can't be 100% certain that no issues will occur, but chances are everything will be fine if you set it, and forget it.

2. Absolutely yes. I do that all the time.

 

[magor34]

Another member mentioned that all HP sockets are live at the same time. So you will have tot insert and pull plugs as needed.

This is only the case if you wish to use both 4-pin XLR and 4.4mm outputs. All other outputs can be individually selected using the remote or main knob.

 

[ziggurcat]

This is only the case if you wish to use both 4-pin XLR and 4.4mm outputs. All other outputs can be individually selected using the remote or main knob.

Is that something that could be added in a FW update (selectable between XLR and 4.4mm) or would that functionality require a HW revision?