WOW Topping A70 Pro Plus DX5 II

[jmdesignz2]

WARNING: SUBJECTIVE CONTENT

The Topping stack
XLR High gain output
To
Buckeye NCX500 monoblocks
WBC 7AWG cables
To Philharmonic BMR Towers with RAAL tweeters

I can tell a difference in dynamic contrast

It’s quite a big difference, more nuance to subtle percussion, snap and drive feels more realistic and live.

I’m quite happy with how the system sounds now.

 

[masterhw]

we’re happy you’re happy, that’s what it’s all about. definitely solid kit there.

 

[jmdesignz2]

More pics

 

[jmdesignz2]

we’re happy you’re happy, that’s what it’s all about. definitely solid kit there.

It’s insanely good now

The dynamic range is really amazing

Piano keys ring out much more realistically and they decay in more space as well

 

[masterhw]

what is your source?

 

[caught gesture]

Interesting looking stand for the Topping gear. Did you make it yourself?

 

[jmdesignz2]

Interesting looking stand for the Topping gear. Did you make it yourself?

Lol

It’s actually a laptop stand $16 off Amazon

Really solid well constructed from nicely anodized aluminum

 

[jmdesignz2]

what is your source?

Oh yes. Left that out. Using WiiM ultra via USB old printer cable probably from the late 90s early 2000s

 

[jmdesignz2]

Listening to Joshua Lowe and the Juncos

Snow Began to Fall

I can hear the wooden body of the violin

Vocal dynamic range is very close to life. Great separation and articulation from the backup singer.

 

[jmdesignz2]

Alexander Desplat

Escape Concerto

Even at 44kHz the kettle drum notes are so visceral and more palpable than I’ve ever heard

 

[jmdesignz2]

Now inserted the Topping A70 Pro preamp into the system

WiiM Ultra streaming by USB to DX5II DAC in source mode/max output for full bandwidth. High gain settings on the Toopping DX5II and A70 pro. Low gain on Buckeye NCX500 monoblocks


listening to Eiji Oue, 88kHz Stravinsky Firebird Suite, 1919 version FLAC

Dynamics and soundstage is insanely good

Crescendoes feel deep, wide and effortless

Percussion sounds incredibly accurate tonally

Attack and decay sounds quite natural
Having been to many live orchestra concerts this system is very close to live sound

 

[dustyedinger]

WARNING: SUBJECTIVE CONTENT

The Topping stack
XLR High gain output
To
Buckeye NCX500 monoblocks
WBC 7AWG cables
To Philharmonic BMR Towers with RAAL tweeters

I can tell a difference in dynamic contrast

It’s quite a big difference, more nuance to subtle percussion, snap and drive feels more realistic and live.

I’m quite happy with how the system sounds now.

Hello! I’m new to this sport. Why not just use the headphone outs on the DX5 II? Obviously you wouldn’t have gone to the effort for no reason. What does the A70 give you?

 

[jmdesignz2]

Hello! I’m new to this sport. Why not just use the headphone outs on the DX5 II? Obviously you wouldn’t have gone to the effort for no reason. What does the A70 give you?

Per several headphone review sites, The A70 pro is said to be one of if not the most powerful and clean sounding headphone amplifier available

 

[KL....]

Philharmonic BMR Towers with RAAL tweeters

Thank you, @jmdesignz2, not headphones but do you have a photo of these Speakers?

 

[xrqp]

View attachment 478685

WARNING: SUBJECTIVE CONTENT

The Topping stack
XLR High gain output
To
Buckeye NCX500 monoblocks
WBC 7AWG cables
To Philharmonic BMR Towers with RAAL tweeters

I can tell a difference in dynamic contrast

It’s quite a big difference, more nuance to subtle percussion, snap and drive feels more realistic and live.

I’m quite happy with how the system sounds now.

I do not understand how you are using the stack. Where do the outputs go for the A70 and for the DX5?
It seems you are not using any headphones, correct?

 

[jmdesignz2]

I do not understand how you are using the stack. Where do the outputs go for the A70 and for the DX5?
It seems you are not using any headphones, correct?

Not sure what is confusing. Look at the pics

DX5II is a DAC
A70 Pro is a PREAMP with analog R2R volume control

Wiim Ultra>USB>DX5II>XLR>A70PRO>XLR>Buckeye Monoblocks

I have confirmed: A70 PRO can utput to ALL Line Outs, two sets of XLR, two sets of RCA
AND the Headphone Amps simultaneously!

I use one of the RCA outs to send a signal to the THX15" Monolith Sub. The set of XLR send signal to the MonoBlock Buckeye NCX500s

Edition XS Headphones plug into either Topping device. However, I much prefer the A70 output.

 

[xrqp]

I see now. You choose not to use the preamp in the DX5ii. Can you share the reason? Is it because all the outputs of the DCX5ii cannot be used simultaneously, and the "line outs" and "headphone outs" of the A70 Pro are better than the DX5ii?

When you said there was a big difference in the sound, I was not sure what you were comparing your current setup to. I am guessing you are comparing it to using the DX5ii preamp.

Do you use the PEQ in the DX5ii?