Topping DX5II Balanced DAC and Headphone Amp Review

[Joachim Herbert]

Loudness is the big one for me. And maybe multiple output ranges make it a better choice in practical use as well.

And the RME bit perfect test is a must to test my setup for unwanted conversions.

Go for it!

 

[staticV3]

Yeah, for late night situations when the kids aren't yet asleep and we want to watch a movie with my wife. If I understood correctly, you can't have both HP outputs active w/different eqs at the same time.

The ADI-2 Pro and ADI-2/4 are the only devices that can EQ two headphones independently, afaik.

Alternatively, you can buy two DX5IIs and connect both to the TV via a Toslink splitter.

 

[Joachim Herbert]

Alternatively, you can buy two DX5IIs and connect both to the TV via a Toslink splitter.

At a fraction of the cost.

 

[Power Pop 23]

The ADI-2 Pro and ADI-2/4 are the only devices that can EQ two headphones independently, afaik.

Alternatively, you can buy two DX5IIs and connect both to the TV via a Toslink splitter.

perhaps take care using 2 Topping DX5 II devices when operating the remote control

 

[Dandelion]

They are the standard filters for the ES9039Q2M. They picked the chip's default filter.

correct me if I'm wrong but watching d50 iii (same chip) and ess specsheet the filter sets don't match.

 

[JIW]

correct me if I'm wrong but watching d50 iii (same chip) and ess specsheet the filter sets don't match

They do in Amir's review. How do they seem not to match?

 

[dst]

perhaps take care using 2 Topping DX5 II devices when operating the remote control

I was actually thinking about this! In my current setup I've got two discrete HP amps with physical volume pots within reach, so that's always an option.

 

[Dandelion]

They do in Amir's review. How do they seem not to match?
View attachment 464732

But how come D50 III and DX5 II have different frequency responses (+- 0.1 vs +- 0.3) that's pretty much solely due to the filter design.
Btw I can understand nothing from that graph on frequency response in the audible range besides filter 2 and 3 having the best attenuation.

Also I would like companies, manufacturers of chips and reviewers to measure also the phase shift of the minimum phase filters, they impact the sound much more than only the frequency response. -0.3 vs -0.1 near nyquist is irrelevant to the human ear, but phase rotations from 1 kHz and up pollute the signal much much more and they're audible.

 

[Sir Sanders Zingmore]

I have done this a number of times. It makes no difference.

You could apply the same argument as a reason to stop measuring Topping DACs altogether. You’ve measured them many times and it there’s no (audible) difference.

 

[alekksander]

I don't know how anyone decides what Topping to buy. This unit looks like a complete Dac/Amp that will drive any headphone that's not an electrostatic (or maybe an Abyss) transparently with nearly unlimited power for $300. And it has full parametric EQ! We bitch, and Topping listens!

As always, thank you for the great review, Ami i

does it remember volume+peq per output, or it's still a gamble? does it recognize headphones plugged? yea…

 

[JIW]

But how come D50 III and DX5 II have different frequency responses (+- 0.1 vs +- 0.3) that's pretty much solely due to the filter design.
Btw I can understand nothing from that graph on frequency response in the audible range besides filter 2 and 3 having the best attenuation.

Also I would like companies, manufacturers of chips and reviewers to measure also the phase shift of the minimum phase filters, they impact the sound much more than only the frequency response. -0.3 vs -0.1 near nyquist is irrelevant to the human ear, but phase rotations from 1 kHz and up pollute the signal much much more and they're audible.

That is not due to the digital reconstruction filter but the analog output stage.

 

[Power Pop 23]

You could apply the same argument as a reason to stop measuring Topping DACs altogether. You’ve measured them many times and it there’s no (audible) difference.

Agreed

I am willing to make an exception for the DX5 II when Topping updates the firmware to make the feature of Parametric EQ fully functional

 

[Robbo99999]

I like how it's got parametric EQ built into it, anyone know how many filters you can use? 10 band, 20 band, etc? Also is there seperate left & right channel EQ options, so per channel EQ?

 

[Chagall]

Thankyou Amir proof that SOTA performance is very affordable,cant wait to see the D900/A900 measurements will they set the standard for all time?

They will be even more SOTA.
SOTA²
SOTA+

 

[xanalog]

They will be even more SOTA.
SOTA²
SOTA±

SOTA2026?

 

[jodrim]

I like how it's got parametric EQ built into it, anyone know how many filters you can use? 10 band, 20 band, etc? Also is there seperate left & right channel EQ options, so per channel EQ?

10 band EQ and you can use the "PEQ Mode" option in Topping Tune software with values "L/R" or "L+R" for per channel or shared parameters. So preamp + up to 10 parameters shared or 10 for left + 10 for right channel. The filters available are Peaking, Low-pass, High-pass, Low-shelf, High-shelf. But it does currently have issues with custom configs disappearing after device restarts but should be fixed in a firmware update soon

 

[unpluggged]

That said, the DX5 II remains an excellent choice for those seeking quality

For those seeking to gamble. The price for this model is sane, though, in contrast to their higher-end models, so it's worth a try IMO.

If you need POWER you should aim at the ADI-2/4

The ADI-2/4 Pro SE's output has lower output voltage than the ADI-2 Pro's (+19 dBu vs +22 dBu), but with a bit higher SINAD. Where it excels is at lower impedances, and also adds a third, lowest ref level for ultra-sensitive phones (I can't hear the background with my Blessing 3 and the Hexa using the regular output of the ADI-2 Pro, but some more sensitive IEMs like the horrible Fiio FA7 allow me to hear the noise floor faintly. But this is a very marginal case).

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

My guy, first, the ADI-2 series are not audio interfaces, they don't have any mixing capabilities and no mic preamps. Second, I am not looking for anything, since I already have the excellent RME Fireface UCX II paired with the magical RME ADI-2 Pro FS R.

 

[Cincyret]

PEQ Settings- I have Topping Tune 1.04 & Firmware 1.39 (although TT reports 1.25). PEQ filters loaded from TT into the DX5 ii are lost when the DAC is turned off. Here's what I do: Create PEQ filters in the Local config of TT. When I turn on the DAC I connect to PC & TT. Remove blank filters from Device Config & reload PEQ filters again [!!!] (I have 2 for speakers & 1 each of Bal & SE). It's a pain, but doesn't take that long & should be fixed with TT driver & Firmware updates.
PEQ Programming - I've used a plugin (FAB Filter) to Audirvana, Eq APO-Peace-Voicemeeter, and MiniDSP Flex. I've found the TT interface the easiest to use - Programming the "A" button on the remote to defeat the EQ filters helps a lot. More detail: I use a straight line target slope (1 dB/oct or .8 dB/oct). I program L & R filters seperately up to 200 Hz, L/R together for 200 to 8,000 Hz. I match predicted to actual in REW. I may be more practiced, but this was the easiest room correction I've done.
DAC Replacement - The DX5 ii replaces an EX5. I have 3 inputs-USB, Optical [TV], and Bluetooth (LDAC 24,96, best quality)... and 3 Outputs XLR Line out to amp, HP Bal to DCA closed, and HP SE to AKG. I really like that the left button is Input & the right buttom is output. All in all the software choices and layout are very well thoughtout.
Wishes - I like to see a screen for PEQ filters (I don't use the VU meter or Freq Graph). I miss streaming (I had a Wiim hooked up) & Qobuz Connect. A nice metal remote. I should add that the remote works much better on the DX5 ii than the one on the EX5.
I'm very pleased with my purchase.

 

[ziggurcat]

Can the DX5II be used as Pre-Amp for my JBL 306 (or other Desktop-Monitors)

Yes.

 

[ziggurcat]

So then it’s more accurate to characterize PEQ as a potentially coming future than a current feature.

No, it's a current feature. The issue isn't even with the PEQ, it's something preventing the settings from saving.