Topping DX5II Balanced DAC and Headphone Amp Review

[Chanur]

Does anyone have a direct experience with this and the Fiio K13?

 

[somebodyelse]

If so, could you share why on-device PEQ adjustment is so important to you?

It would make it more attractive for anyone not using Windows. I'd prefer some API docs like we have from JDS Labs and Parks Audio among others, or something platform independent like the JDS browser-based controls.

 

[ziggurcat]

could you share why on-device PEQ adjustment is so important to you?

It would probably be useful for those who don't use this device in a computer system.

The Topping Home app -- if it ever becomes compatible with the DX5 II -- would allow PEQ adjustments without the need to connect it to a computer.

 

[evalrat]

For your purpose the four profiles already on the device when it is delivered probably are good start. Switching the used profile is quite simple.

I see I was bragging. You can program the A, B buttons om the remote to step through the peq profiles in the menu setting. (See the manual).

 

[Madragon]

Guys, my DX5 II is dead.

I bought it 7 months ago on AliExpress, and it had been working without any issues until early this morning. I shut down my PC like I do every day, and a few hours later when I got up and turned the PC back on, the Topping would no longer power on. I disconnected all the cables, changed the power cable, and tried a different power outlet, but nothing, it’s completely dead.

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

Guys, my DX5 II is dead.

I bought it 7 months ago on AliExpress, and it had been working without any issues until early this morning. I shut down my PC like I do every day, and a few hours later when I got up and turned the PC back on, the Topping would no longer power on. I disconnected all the cables, changed the power cable, and tried a different power outlet, but nothing, it’s completely dead.

, sad to hear.
My unit is almost 9 months old and it's still working, knock on wood.

 

[Chanur]

Guys, my DX5 II is dead.

I bought it 7 months ago on AliExpress, and it had been working without any issues until early this morning. I shut down my PC like I do every day, and a few hours later when I got up and turned the PC back on, the Topping would no longer power on. I disconnected all the cables, changed the power cable, and tried a different power outlet, but nothing, it’s completely dead.

Infuriating. Will you get any kind of rma support?

 

[Pierun]

I'm considering returning my DX5 II (bought it on Jan 2026 on Shenzhenaudio) right now, due to the 4.4mm balanced output issues, specifically random popping sounds

Newest fw (v2.10), all stock settings, pregain set at -29 or -30 dB (or -24 dB in case of 6.35mm connection), paired with FiiO FT1 (ridiculous pairup, ik), serial number starting with 2605.

Tried enabling/disabling PEQ, factory reset, diff inputs. Only changing the output from 4.4mm to 6.35mm seems to stop the popping sounds completely.

It's really disappointing to be honest.

 

[ziggurcat]

I'm considering returning my DX5 II (bought it on Jan 2026 on Shenzhenaudio) right now, due to the 4.4mm balanced output issues, specifically random popping sounds

Newest fw (v2.10), all stock settings, pregain set at -29 or -30 dB (or -24 dB in case of 6.35mm connection), paired with FiiO FT1 (ridiculous pairup, ik), serial number starting with 2605.

Tried enabling/disabling PEQ, factory reset, diff inputs. Only changing the output from 4.4mm to 6.35mm seems to stop the popping sounds completely.

It's really disappointing to be honest.

Define what you mean by the "popping" sound. When does it occur?

 

[Pierun]

Define what you mean by the "popping" sound. When does it occur?

1. By popping sound I mean the audible (yet subtle) sound of popping. I do not know what could be a proper analogy to what I'm experiencing, but the closest thing to that would probably be a muted bubblewrap.
2. It occurs at random time intervals when playing music. Like it could occur just after few minutes of playing music, or even after a few hours or so. It doesn't occur when it's plugged through 6.35mm tho.

 

[ziggurcat]

2. It occurs at random time intervals when playing music. Like it could occur just after few minutes of playing music, or even after a few hours or so. It doesn't occur when it's plugged through 6.35mm tho.

While music is playing or after you've paused/stopped the music?

How do you have the device connected? (i.e. are you using the USB input or TOSLINK/COAX?)

 

[Pierun]

While music is playing or after you've paused/stopped the music?

How do you have the device connected? (i.e. are you using the USB input or TOSLINK/COAX?)

1. While music is playing. My apologies for not clarifying that
2. I use USB input exclusively. I've only switched to BT once to see whether the popping disappeared, but to no avail.

 

[Pierun]

1. While music is playing. My apologies for not clarifying that
2. I use USB input exclusively. I've only switched to BT once to see whether the popping disappeared, but to no avail.

Ok so uhhh... I forgot that I had set a ridiculously low ASIO buffer size (64 samples), so right now I'm trying a diff buffer size (256 samples for now).

But then I wonder: why would it affect only balanced output, and not unbalanced output?

 

[ziggurcat]

1. While music is playing. My apologies for not clarifying that
2. I use USB input exclusively. I've only switched to BT once to see whether the popping disappeared, but to no avail.

Thanks, the line of questioning was to rule out the known data streaming popping (that isn't specific to this device) that MacOS users have to suffer through because there are no drivers on that platform.

And you're using High or Low gain?

The only thing I can think of is maybe double check to make sure there isn't a grounding issue or check to make sure that it isn't a faulty cable. Also -- and I know this sounds unlikely -- check to make sure the 4.4mm connection is fully seated (I only say this because when I first plugged in a 4.4mm cable, I thought it was fully seated, but it wasn't, and I needed to push it in more by less than 1mm)

I see your edit -- hopefully that's the solution. I'm sure someone here could explain why that could/would make a difference.

 

[Bleib]

It was mentioned in the ZH3 thread that DX5II distorts badly at high output. I am not the best with audio graphs but I don't see it in the review. Am I missing something?

I think he meant that it can drive headphones to very high volumes causing it to distort, it's far more powerful than just about what any headphones require
Otherwise some amps don't want higher voltage input over 4v, so having the DX5 II in pre-amp -4dB mode should 100% solve this.
ZH3 is max 4v out so for some it can perhaps be easier to use

 

[Pierun]

Thanks, the line of questioning was to rule out the known data streaming popping (that isn't specific to this device) that MacOS users have to suffer through because there are no drivers on that platform.

And you're using High or Low gain?

Exclusively low gain, since I wouldn't benefit much from high gain in my scenario.

see your edit -- hopefully that's the solution. I'm sure someone here could explain why that could/would make a difference.

I hope so too. Again: what weirds me out is that it only affects the balanced output, but not unbalanced output (gain in both cases was set at perceptually the same values, so -30 dB at balanced, and -24 dB at unbalanced).

 

[Chanur]

I think he meant that it can drive headphones to very high volumes causing it to distort, it's far more powerful than just about what any headphones require
Otherwise some amps don't want higher voltage input over 4v, so having the DX5 II in pre-amp -4dB mode should 100% solve this.
ZH3 is max 4v out so for some it can perhaps be easier to use

I think I've decided on a Fosi ZH3 or Fiio K13 R2R for an all in one headphone amp unless someone can recommend a better DAC&headphone amp combo.

I like the Fosi price better and it looks decent. The Fiio on the other hand is very attractive with the window on top.

 

[Bleib]

I think I've decided on a Fosi ZH3 or Fiio K13 R2R for an all in one headphone amp unless someone can recommend a better DAC&headphone amp combo.

I like the Fosi price better and it looks decent. The Fiio on the other hand is very attractive with the window on top.

I have both, I prefer the Topping
PEQ can be very useful and with the display set to purple and watch the frequencies bounce in 60hz is pretty sweet.

But the Fosi is good too. Not as easy to update the firmware though

 

[Chanur]

I have both, I prefer the Topping
PEQ can be very useful and with the display set to purple and watch the frequencies bounce in 60hz is pretty sweet.
View attachment 523503
But the Fosi is good too. Not as easy to update the firmware though

The K13 has PEQ also I thought? I'm probably not going to be able to easily see their faces from the position they will be in.

 

[Bleib]

The K13 has PEQ also I thought? I'm probably not going to be able to easily see their faces from the position they will be in.

Sorry, I was wasn't really clear..I have both the Fosi ZH3 and DX5 II
No experience with K13