Louis opinions the Topping DX5 II, a 2nd technology compact desktop twin ES9039Q2M DAC with as much as 7.6W of balanced amplification output energy. It’s at the moment priced at $299.
Disclaimer: This pattern unit was despatched to me in alternate for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an unbiased web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or standing. I thank the staff at Topping for his or her assist.
Click on right here to learn extra in regards to the Topping merchandise we have now beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
Observe that this text follows our present scoring tips, which you’ll learn in additional element right here.
Topping DX5 II Assessment
Abstract
The compact desktop Topping DX5 II DAC and headphone amplifier produces plenty of clear energy, showcases plenty of helpful options, and has a customizable UI as well.
Professionals
Glorious clear energy able to driving most headphones.
PEQ Implementation gives granular tuning tweaks.
Cons
Inventory tuning lacks bass heat and physique
Potential firmware quirks.
The Topping DX5 was well-received as a DAC amp combo unit when it was launched again in 2022, and it was as a result of it supplied loads of efficiency and comfort in a single unit, and it was supplied at a aggressive retail value as well.
Topping has launched the brand new technology DX5 II, and never solely does it incorporate some main {hardware} upgrades and a few new options, nevertheless it’s additionally launched at an much more comfy value at checkout time.
Audio gear has been getting cheaper and higher by the 12 months, and the Topping DX5 II is an effective instance of that development.
And though Topping has not too long ago launched some high-priced objects, just like the Centaurus desktop DAC and the DX9, additionally they handle to launch satisfying funds gear just like the DX5 II.
Options
Constructed-in EQ implementations have gotten broadly accepted these days. None may very well be happier than I since I used to be getting fatigued by all of the sterility in audio gear these days, which is like tremendous meals with no seasoning.
I personally desire some shade, so due to Topping for including this PEQ characteristic to your lineup.
My first mannequin with a built-in equalizer was the Monolith THX Amplifier & DAC amplifier combo, which was reviewed again in 2019.
Now we have now FiiO leaping on board, plus Topping, after all, with fashions just like the Centaurus and the D90 III Discrete. Others, like ADI with their ADI-2, additionally joined what I name the user-coloration membership.
The DX5 II is suitable with Topping’s new Home windows OS or iOS Tune software program, which features a 10-band parametric equalizer with adjustable frequency and Q on every band.
That is game-changing and aids in correcting many headphone anomalies or deficiencies. Plus, you too can shade the general output tone if you happen to really feel the DX5 II sounds too unfruitful.
The PEQ can be able to storing user-defined, customized PEQ presets by way of the applying, which provides the consumer entry to them from throughout the huge onboard DX5 II menu.
The menu on the DX5 II is stuffed with options and can take greater than only a chapter to cowl all of them.
DAC
The DAC part within the DX5 II consists of two ES9039Q2M. This chip is broadly used these days, however after all, the ES9069 would have been higher and in addition produces a sweeter tonality.
Nevertheless, contemplating the underside line, that is tremendous. This configuration provides an eight-channel DAC, which is the norm these days.
The DAC is fed by way of an XMOS XU316 if you happen to use the USB enter port, which offers you the best bit price functionality. The DX5 II is plug-and-play, however I do suggest downloading the Thesycon driver to acquire the most effective outcomes from Topping’s web site.
The DX5 II has MQA hardware-level decoding functionality, a characteristic native on the ES9039Q2M. The DX5 has decoding as much as PCM 768kHz/32-bit and DSD512.
Amplification
To me, the most important {hardware} spotlight right here lies with the amplifier part throughout the Topping DX5 II. Topping calls this implementation an X-hybrid headphone amplifier design.
The DX5 II makes use of a triple-stage, hybrid design primarily based on Topping’s nested suggestions composite amplifier, or NFCA. All of the Topping NFCA amplifiers I’ve heard produce plenty of energy, ultra-low distortion, and improved effectivity. The DX5 II just isn’t the exception.
To be extra particular, the DX5 II’s amplification part makes use of a discrete enter stage, a discrete output stage, and an opamp-based acquire stage with a noise flooring of simply 1.8µVrms.
The DX5 II produces simply across the similar quantity of energy as Topping’s L70 separate headphone amplifier, which is rated at 7.6W most, which is appreciable for the worth tag and the scale of the DX5 II. It does all that whereas concurrently claiming larger effectivity over its predecessor.
Truly, this design proves its effectivity by working off direct home present, and concurrently remaining cool to the contact, which makes it superb for individuals who pay attention for lengthy durations, and those that depart their electronics on on a regular basis or neglect to close down their gear on the finish of the day.
This amplifier design is what I name the antithesis of a category A design, during which effectivity is of no concern and warmth is produced in excessive quantities.
Not with this design, though it produces unrestricted energy till it runs out, after all. Nevertheless it does so in a clear, dynamic trend.
Design
The Topping DX5 II chassis just isn’t too large and is what I name a desktop-friendly dimension. It measures 15.5 x 19.0 x 4.4cm, together with the quantity knob protrusion. It doesn’t take up a lot area.
The cupboard has sufficient heft so if you press any of the buttons up entrance, the unit stays agency as a replacement. 4 rubber toes assist the unit keep put. They’re smooth rubber toes that appear to assist auto-level the unit as properly, up to a degree.
Appears to be like like Topping used aluminum for all of the elements of the outer shell, together with the entrance panel, which could be very thick, classic gear thick. Plus, the shell can be metallic. It appears to be high-grade aluminum throughout.
Aesthetics
Topping did a very good job hiding all of the mounting screws and made the cupboard look seamless. There’s a small crevice between the highest and entrance panel that appears to assemble mud and different particulate matter, so maintain the cookies away. That hole shouldn’t be there.
That’s my solely dislike of the general design as a result of the DX5 II appears actually good. Not solely is it accessible in 3 colours, however you too can personalize the display screen’s major theme. There are three themes to select from: a digital show, a spectrometer, and an analog gauge.
The menu itself may also be customized, giving the consumer the power to customise even additional. The DX5 II makes use of the Aurora UI on a full-color display screen, and it’s a looker.
I/O
The Toping DX5 II has two analog line output ports, a set of RCA, and a set of three-pin XLR connections that can be utilized with a hard and fast or variable output, switchable by way of the choices menu.
Meaning that you may entry the DAC and use the DX5 II as a preamp, however there’s no entry to the amplifier part individually.
The opposite units of connections are digital inputs. There’s a full-sized USB Kind-B connection, and I used to be shocked that there wasn’t a contemporary USB-C port accessible.
There’s an optical plus an SPDIF connection alongside the USB. There are additionally a few 12-volt IO triggers.
On the entrance aspect, there are three headphone connections, a four-pin XLR balanced connection aspect by aspect to a 4.4mm Pentaconn connection, plus a full-sized 6.35mm connection.
Topping throws within the field a 3.5mm adapter to present the consumer a complete of 4 out of the field.
Bluetooth
The DX5 II does have Bluetooth receiving functionality by way of an built-in QCC5125 chip with the power to playback nearly any codec accessible at present, together with LDAC, however no aptX Lossless.
It receives BT indicators by way of a 5.1 radio, which isn’t the most recent technology, however the LDAC saves it so far as usability as a result of I’d hate to make use of a unit like this with a codec like common aptX and even worse, SBC.
The quantity of receiving distance I may get hold of utilizing a Bluetooth 5.1-equipped cell phone was round 45 toes in a straight line, which is greater than sufficient for any house audio state of affairs.
I take advantage of the Bluetooth part of the DX5 II whereas cleansing home and entertaining company. I don’t use it for crucial listening. Nevertheless it does a wonderful job on LDAC. You simply lose a small quantity of top-end definition, like 16k vs 20k top-end extension.
Controls
There are three buttons on the DX5 II upfront. The opposite swap is the ability swap, which is rear-mounted proper beside the ability twine socket.
I dislike rear-mounted energy buttons, however the DX5 II treatments that by inserting a standby characteristic up entrance behind the quantity knob. Urgent the quantity knob wakes the unit and in addition enters standby mode.
The three buttons up entrance management particular options. For instance, the menu button provides entry to the menu, and also you finally management the menu by way of the quantity knob and the middle button of the quantity knob.
The house button, then again, scrolls by the three accessible display screen themes. There’s an analog VU meter theme, the spectrum analyzer theme, and the standard digital show theme, as beforehand talked about. The enter button, once more, is self-explanatory.
The quantity knob feels strong and has indents as you modify it, however the place doesn’t matter because it’s a digital quantity knob.
It does make use of tremendous adjustment in that you may set it to regulate the quantity in 0.5 increments, which interprets right into a 200-step quantity management knob. Add to {that a} two-position acquire.
Software program
Topping has a restricted variety of elements which can be Tune software-ready, and the DX5 II is considered one of them. Off the highest of my head, I do know the Centaurus DAC, the D90 III Discrete, and the D50 II, simply to call a couple of, are Tune-ready.
I like this EQ implementation, and one of many causes is that the changes are delicate and the bands should not the sort which can be set to present off a 10-decibel enhance at 3 clicks above flat.
It appears that evidently the restrict is ready round 10 decibels, and that nearly ensures that you may’t go too overboard.
One factor I do suggest you do is to ensure you’re on the most recent firmware, since some consumers reported some quirks with the primary firmware.
Nevertheless, Topping was fast on the rebound and launched a brand new model. I’m at the moment on model 1.57, and I haven’t run into any bugs updated.
Packaging & Equipment
The field the Topping DX5 II got here in could be very acquainted to me. It’s the identical field because the Centaurus, the A90, and the D90 got here in, however the dimension of the field was diminished. It’s a hefty field created from cardboard pulp.
Contained in the field, you’ll discover the four-foot AC energy twine, a four-foot USB A to USB B cable, an SMA-type Bluetooth antenna, plus a product info card.
By the best way, you get Topping’s RC-18A distant management, and it makes use of two AAA batteries, however Topping doesn’t embrace any, and that’s comprehensible with all of the delivery regulation dilemmas these days, so get some prior.
Sound Impressions
The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO Plus and the HIFIMAN Arya Natural have been the 2 headphones I used most frequently to check the Topping DX5 II. The Sennheiser HD 550, the Arya Unveiled, and the Ananda Nano have been additionally used. I additionally used the Dekoni Blue to check the three.5mm energy output capability.
To check the low energy aspect, I used Flare Audio’s Studio to check for the presence of hiss, and I additionally used the FiiO FX17, the HIFIMAN Svanar, and the ORIVETI OH700VB.
Abstract
It was an fascinating expertise, I felt once I heard the Topping DX5 II for the primary time, in that there was a well-known sound there, however there was additionally a small veer within the total common traits in a sonic sense. I believe it was the quantity of tameness within the total signature.
Nevertheless, the overall Topping home sound was nonetheless there. The clear, balanced, and impartial traits have been there, alongside a flat curve.
In comparison with the unique DX5, the DX5 II has improved transients and sounds extra dynamic, plus the DX5 II has plenty of driving prowess over the unique DX5.
Heck, I like the best way the DX5 II sounds over my L70 and E70 combo, sonically talking, and that’s not a small feat since I like that combo however all the time felt it was a contact sterile, and it had no tuning capabilities just like the DX5 II has to treatment this.
What bought my consideration essentially the most was that the DX5 II didn’t sound as digital as a few of their earlier fashions, though the attribute was nonetheless prevalent. It was the amicable, musical midrange and an total character that may be known as vivid and welcoming.
The bass got here by as medical and clear, nonetheless, and a bit too lean for my private style.
The great half is that the PEQ can kick the DX5 II right into a heat sonic territory, with a potent low finish and elevated physique, nevertheless it wants that assist. You can even tame peaks within the excessive frequencies simply the identical.
Element? Over the A90 and Centaurus combo, you get ninety p.c of the element you get with that combo, though I believe many of the element in that combo is produced by the Centaurus DAC.
The one lack of the DX5 II is in decision, however readability was distinctive.
Staging & Dynamics
I really feel that the Topping line of drugs, basically, produces what I may name a natural-sized soundstage that doesn’t occupy a lot area, neither is it ultra-large. It tends to challenge extra width than top. It tends to comprise itself inside a restricted area and prefers to stay intimate.
I did discover an oddity in that, in some way, the soundstage was greatest produced on dynamic driver headphones in comparison with a big diaphragm driver, which naturally produces a wider sonic panorama.
It appears the DX5 II comprises itself, even when the headphone is able to producing an ultra-wide soundstage.
General, the DX5 II can produce a holographic panorama with a private or targeted feeling soundstage. One that may ship sturdy separation with sufficient depth to maintain issues fascinating.
Click on on web page 2 under for my really helpful pairings and chosen comparisons.
