Topping G5 Review (Portable DAC & HP Amp)

[mike7877]

Ok, cool, you've described how the unit works in terms of power delivery but you've not explained how you "over volted" it? I quick checked your longer post with the pics and couldn't really see how you'd "over volted" it. You don't have to go into mega depth - what did you do replace some internal components, re route something, use a different power source, what?

My bad, somehow at least a few sentences are missing...

I gave, to the G5's analog input, somewhere between 5 and 10V AC RMS (in the form of music..) for not very long - not even a song. Probably not even a verse.

What isn't missing, but I'll add for clarity here, is, I showed how the lowest gain setting of -8dB, and the analog out from the DAC being 2.1V, suggests 5.2V should be safe (neutralizing the -8dB takes 2.5x the voltage, or 2.5x 2.1). If you don[t want to take chances, 2.1V will be safe. Most things can't provide more than 2.1V single ended anyway (unless they're amps) so it's not a huge problem for most people.
..just me because mine's broken now lol

 

[Robbo99999]

My bad, somehow at least a few sentences are missing...

I gave, to the G5's analog input, somewhere between 5 and 10V AC RMS (in the form of music..) for not very long - not even a song. Probably not even a verse.

What isn't missing, but I'll add for clarity here, is, I showed how the lowest gain setting of -8dB, and the analog out from the DAC being 2.1V, suggests 5.2V should be safe (neutralizing the -8dB takes 2.5x the voltage, or 2.5x 2.1). If you don[t want to take chances, 2.1V will be safe. Most things can't provide more than 2.1V single ended anyway (unless they're amps) so it's not a huge problem for most people.
..just me because mine's broken now lol

Ah, I understand how you did it now (how you burnt out your G5). I was just trying to find some specs re the Line In on the G5, and I came up with this:

So for the red circled bit does that mean that 5.8V input is safe? 5.8V when using Low Gain, 4V when using Medium Gain, 1.9V when using High Gain?

 

[5whys]

Seriously, a swollen battery after 8 months? No I have not left it on a charger!

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

I wish it had built in PEQ

 

[Jean-Paul Petrosyan]

I wish it had a battery level indicator, reconstruction filter selection and better EMI protection at least.

I long for a Topping G5 Mk.2

Ideally with a simple display.

 

[Audiophilosopher]

Thought I would post this for those that have had swelling issues with the Topping G5…

I bought a G5 in July of 2023 and used it as my desktop DAC/Amp for over 2 years and I did experience swelling. Not sure exactly when it started occurring but I didn’t notice it until last November (2025). I ended buying a JDS Labs Atom Amp 2 and DAC 2 to replace it (which I LOVE BTW). I reached out to Topping support and they offered to sell me a replacement battery for $35 which included shipping. Thought about looking for a cheap one on my own but figured it was worth $35 to get the correct one. Ordered the battery and it took a couple of weeks to arrive. The replacement was quite simple. The back cover is glued on and it had already popped loose. I just pried it off, removed the little bluetooth antenna that’s stuck to the battery, unplugged the battery from the two pin connector and reversed the process to install the new battery. Took 5 minutes max. I was just able to press the back cover back in place and it held fine with the existing adhesive.

Honestly, the G5 looks like brand new and I now I have an awesome portable DAC with great power and battery life. I’ve been trying out different dongle DACs but they don’t drive some of my headphones (the Noire XO in particular) nearly as well as the G5. Hopefully I’ll get a few good years out of it since I’m using it in more of a part time mode and it’s not connected to power except when charging.

 

[Veri]

That is good hear, nice service. Thanks for the report!

 

[Yevhen]

Changed my vote to POOR because of that constant cracking noise when placed closer to the phone.

A very weak EMC design, quite disappointing, especially when most of the people vote here GREAT.

Almost impossible to use outdoors, only with a 3m long cable and you have to keep it in a separate pocket, further from your phone and RF emission.

The stock cable is poorly shielded. I hear less noise when I use this dac with another usb c cable, the longer - the better. It also helps when you flip the dac or connect it to the charger.

 

[Yevhen]

I am happy to put the Topping G5 on my recommended list.

Hi Amir,

Is there a chance to measure the EMC of this device or the RF impact when placed near the smartphone? It's very disappointing that this lab queen turns into a clicking, noisy, useless brick when used as the portable HiFi.

 

[Jimster480]

Honestly this device has had quite variable reliability since it has been out, so your report wouldn't come as a shock to anyone. I do have a friend who had one for like 1.5 years and really liked it, he sold it now though and went to a dongle because he started using only IEMs.