Topping DX5II Balanced DAC and Headphone Amp Review

[ziggurcat]

Yes, it appears whenever I plug in the DAC, even in DFU mode.

When I dismiss the formar pop-up, the DAC does up as a HDD but I can't do anything with it, no copy nor browsing. Windows prompts me to format it before use but it just doesn't work.

Anyway, I've sent the DAC back to the seller. They said that they would try to contact Topping to see if they can replace or fix it.

Hope they're kind enough to replace it with a newer version (perhaps from a later batch) of the DAC with hardware-related issues ironed out.

I mean, it would still be under warranty since the device hasn't even been out for a year yet, so they should be able to just send you a replacement.

It's a shame that yours stopped working. I think that's the first time anyone has ever reported anything like that for this device.

 

[AndreaT]

Yesterday on Amazon there was a $ 14.95 coupon for the black DX5ii…I purchased mine and it paid almost all the MA sale tax…

 

[AndreaT]

Wow…I have been glued to the kitchen table since I started playing…even from BT lossless source from iPhone (sorry Amirm) and so so Hifiman-4xx (very inefficient set of HP) it sounds wonderful…thank you again Amirm for showing what is exceptionally good and what is mediocre in the marketplace.

The manual recites the possibility to custom configure PEQ “through the Topping Tune software”. How do I get it?

 

[AndreaT]

Ok, ok, I was busy listening to Music and did not do a google search…

 

[jacobtc]

Got mine set up with my new Beolab 3's. Sounds great!

 

[LiviuTM]

Wow…I have been glued to the kitchen table since I started playing…even from BT lossless source from iPhone (sorry Amirm) and so so Hifiman-4xx (very inefficient set of HP) it sounds wonderful…thank you again Amirm for showing what is exceptionally good and what is mediocre in the marketplace.

The manual recites the possibility to custom configure PEQ “through the Topping Tune software”. How do I get it?

You'll find all you need here: https://www.toppingaudio.com/supports Topping support page was revamped relatively recently, and it's rather neat now.

 

[Presently42]

Haven't tested this. I still strongly suspect, that the problem resides with Firefox, given, that the problem occurs with both teams and zoom. Haven't had the chance to test more today: maybe tomorrow

In an update, I installed Teams and had a meeting there: no left-right drift. Just before, I had had a Teams meeting via Firefox: drift

I'd also like to note, that my unit is the 0.16 version, not the 0.15 version. I propose, that the hardware change noted here is the difference

 

[ziggurcat]

In an update, I installed Teams and had a meeting there: no left-right drift. Just before, I had had a Teams meeting via Firefox: drift

I'd also like to note, that my unit is the 0.16 version, not the 0.15 version. I propose, that the hardware change noted here is the difference

If it only happens using the HPA outputs, maybe. Does it happen at all when using the SE or BAL Line Outputs? I checked back, and it was unclear to me whether you were saying it was HPA only.

 

[1066]

Wow…I have been glued to the kitchen table since I started playing…even from BT lossless source from iPhone (sorry Amirm) and so so Hifiman-4xx (very inefficient set of HP) it sounds wonderful…thank you again Amirm for showing what is exceptionally good and what is mediocre in the marketplace.

The manual recites the possibility to custom configure PEQ “through the Topping Tune software”. How do I get it?

How are you getting Bluetooth lossless transmission from an iPhone?

I thought iPhone Bluetooth was AAC transmission only?

 

[Timbo2]

In an update, I installed Teams and had a meeting there: no left-right drift. Just before, I had had a Teams meeting via Firefox: drift

I'd also like to note, that my unit is the 0.16 version, not the 0.15 version. I propose, that the hardware change noted here is the difference

Can you explain how what appears to be a mechanical only only daughter board design change to accommodate a different type or brand of female 4.4mm jack impacts channel balance in certain software only?

 

[Presently42]

Can you explain how what appears to be a mechanical only only daughter board design change to accommodate a different type or brand of female 4.4mm jack impacts channel balance in certain software only?

Oof, I was super unclear: the one obviously has nothing to do with the other. They are two separate ideas in one post: the drifting bug; and also the hardware version. So no, I cannot explain, as there is no explanation, as there is no connection

 

[Chanur]

Have they fixed the issue with changing headphones while the amp is on? It worries me that I might forget and fry the thing.

 

[SnakeLord]

Have they fixed the issue with changing headphones while the amp is on? It worries me that I might forget and fry the thing.

You should not be doing it while the device is playing (under load). Otherwise its not a problem.

 

[SnakeLord]

@Chanur
Btw. i wonder why some people did that. I assume they were hotswapping for fast A/B switching and grilled their phones while doing it? That would be funny

This device is definitely not "foolproof", you should handle it with care, know what you do and at least read the freakin manual.

 

[SnakeLord]

Can you explain how what appears to be a mechanical only only daughter board design change to accommodate a different type or brand of female 4.4mm jack impacts channel balance in certain software only?

Thinking more about this: maybe the change of the HPA daughter board has something to do with the "hotswapping" problematic?

 

[Chanur]

I thought it could happen while just being on. So that's not that big of a deal then.

 

[Berwhale]

Thinking more about this: maybe the change of the HPA daughter board has something to do with the "hotswapping" problematic?

The issues are inherent with the design of the 4.4mm Pentacon connector (differential signals transmitted through a co-axial plug with lots of conductors in a small area with little space between them) . I assume that some pentacon sockets are better than others (tighter tolerances, etc.) and this may be the reason for the swap (but who knows!).

Here a photo I took of a 2.5mm, 4.4mm, 6.35mm and 3.5mm plug for comparison. You can see how the 4.4mm has many conductions are squashed into the barrel and how close they are.

 

[SnakeLord]

The issues are inherent with the design of the 4.4mm Pentacon connector (differential signals transmitted through a co-axial plug with lots of conductors in a small area with little space between them) . I assume that some pentacon sockets are better than others (tighter tolerances, etc.) and this may be the reason for the swap (but who knows!).

Here a photo I took of a 2.5mm, 4.4mm, 6.35mm and 3.5mm plug for comparison. You can see how the 4.4mm has many conductions are squashed into the barrel and how close they are.

View attachment 532631

Considering the amount of power which DX5II can provide over balanced HPA it could indeed frie some ears.
This would also fit into some older Reddit reports about fried HPs where people were "hotpluging" their Phones over 4.4mm. The plugin process of 4.4mm connector is asymetrical, so you may end up shorting the circuit if the HPA is under load.

Anyways, those are only my assumptions but if that was/is the case with the 4.4mm bal out connector, then i would expect it to have some sort of physical protection because you might accidentally unplug the connector or not fully plug it in. Something like an internal pin which disconnects the circuit if the 4.4mm jack isnt fully inserted.

 

[ziggurcat]

Have they fixed the issue with changing headphones while the amp is on? It worries me that I might forget and fry the thing.

It's fine to change headphones while the device is on, just don't while you have content playing (as it's been mentioned already).

 

[AndreaT]

How are you getting Bluetooth lossless transmission from an iPhone?

I thought iPhone Bluetooth was AAC transmission only?

Apple Music labels “lossless” some of the songs and some of the albums. However I do not know if it is still AAC.