I think it’s no secret that Topping’s most popular DAC is the DX3 Pro line. It is the line, because the model has gone through three important incarnations. Today I propose to touch the next stage of its development: the recently released Topping DX5. The device is based on a dual converter of the latest generation ESS ES9068AS, 32-bit XMOS XU216 is on USB, and Qualcomm QCC5125 is responsible for bluetooth with support for AptX HD and LDAC codecs. Doesn’t it remind you of anything? That’s right, in terms of the element base, everything is exactly like that of the SMSL DO200. However, they also have enough differences, so the DX5 is not just a DAC, but a DAC with a built-in headphone amplifier, where we have up to 1800 mW in terms of power from the balance at 32 ohms of load. Well, how serious they got the device and we have to deal with you. We will make all possible measurements, compare it with an external and built-in amplifier, and generally talk about its sound.

Characteristics

• DAC: 2 x ESS ES9068AS
• USB: XMOS XU216
• Bluetooth: 5.0, Qualcomm QCC5125 with AptX HD and LDAC
• Amplifiers: Texas Instruments TPA6120A2
• Audio resolution: up to 768kHz/32bit, DSD512
• Support for decoding formats: PCM, DSD, MQA
• Headphone Amplifier: 1800 mW into 32 ohms
• Frequency range: 20 Hz – 40 kHz
• Inputs: bluetooth, USB, optical, coaxial
• Outputs: line RCA + balanced XLR and headphones 6.35 mm + balanced XLR
• Power supply: built-in power supply
• Dimensions: 148 x 180 x 45 mm
• OS: Windows, MAC OS, Android, iOS

Packaging and equipment

The DAC came in an updated strictly designed cardboard box with the company logo and the address of the official website.

In the kit we put a set of documentation with all sorts of measurement graphs, a remote control, a bluetooth antenna, a 3.5 mm adapter, a USB cable and a classic power cord. The power supply, this time, was decided to be built into the body of the device, which, in my opinion, is a clear progress.

The remote control is quite standard: with rubberized buttons and powered by two AAA batteries. In terms of functionality, mute “mute”, volume control, switching inputs and outputs, changing the gain level, enumerating the filters built into the DAC, auto-off and changing the brightness of the display were taken out on it.

From the device itself, during operation, you can only adjust the volume and switch inputs and outputs. Everything else was prudently removed into a special settings menu, which can only be accessed at the moment of switching on, if you hold down the multifunctional knob.

There, by the way, there is also a fixed volume mode for line outputs, the ability to completely disable bluetooth, set phase inversion, smoothing level, volume step and reset all settings to default values.

Design/Ergonomics

The body of the device received such an interesting design in the style of professional audio interfaces. From all sides it is exclusively metal. It has three Hi-Res Audio, Hi-Res Audio Wireless and MQA certification logos on top, and four rubber feet on the bottom for better fixation with the table surface.

From the inputs we have bluetooth with AptX HD and LDAC codecs, USB, optics and coaxial. As a result, it became much richer. In addition to linear RCA and 6.35 mm for headphones, we also installed balanced XLR. Behind they are three-pin, and for headphones – four. As usual, the device remembers all the settings, and the direct output is available in all possible variations: from each one specifically, to everything together.

The two headphone outputs described above, a large monochrome display and a multifunctional signal level control are conveniently located on the front. Holding it for a long time turns the device on and off, switches inputs once, and double-clicks switches outputs. Rotation occurs with tactilely pleasant mechanical clicks.

In work

During operation, the device heats up a little, it does not take up much space on the table, and it looks very decent. In pauses, I hear absolute silence, which is just super important in the case of an output power equal to 1800 mW into 32 ohms of load. That is, you can connect everything to it: both sensitive intrachannels and rather tight full-size headphones.

To disassemble the DAC, of course, it is possible that there are two fixing screws on the back, but there we again run into a cable. From hardware, we know the latest generation dual converter ESS ES9068AS, 32-bit XMOS XU216 on USB, Qualcomm QCC5125 bluetooth chip with support for AptX HD and LDAC codecs, as well as the NFCA amplifying part. Under which, as I understand it, the same Texas Instruments TPA6120A2 is hidden.

To work, you need to connect a digital source to the device, in my case it is USB, but let the output go further to an external amplifier, active acoustics, or directly to your headphones. For this case, by the way, I recommend buying an adapter from XLR to a standard 2.5 balanced plug or 4.4 mm pentacon.

The DAC turns on on its own, select the active input and output, adjust the volume and start enjoying listening to your favorite music, watching videos or, for example, playing. Who likes what.

On the main screen, everything is classic: the active input and output and the type of stream being played are displayed at the top, its characteristics are located at the bottom, and the current level in decibels is in the center. Everything, as they say, is clear, minus one – it is not so easy to read these parameters from a decent distance.

Software

Under Windows 10, the device is automatically detected, ready for use via WASAPI.

For older versions of the system and ASIO interface support, you will have to download drivers from the official website. Please note that their address has changed. I personally recommend not to change anything there, in order to avoid the appearance of various sound artifacts.

In addition, I found a firmware update on the official website and updated from version 1.35 to 1.37. It seems like a lot of minor bugs have been fixed, but I didn’t notice any.

The device also works great with a smartphone, both through the system mixer and through a specialized BitPerfect mode.

By bluetooth, too, no questions. As you remember, it can be completely disabled from the system menu or used with all the most current codecs, including AptX HD and LDAC. But remember, the best quality from this class of devices can only be achieved via cable. Bluetooth is more for guests, or when there is no time for switching at all.

measurements

I took all measurements in 32-bit 96 kHz on the E1DA Cosmos ADC from balanced XLR outputs.

At the same time, the linear one showed all the results in the “excellent” position: an almost ideal frequency response curve, the noise level is below minus 155 dB, excellent dynamic range, intermodulation distortion is below minus 125 dB, and harmonics are below minus 132 dB with a percentage of 0.00006%.

That is, the technical part of the DAC itself is simply excellently implemented.

But with the headphone output had to tinker a bit. Surprisingly, the levels and direct measurements on XLR and 6.35 mm showed absolutely identical values, which even made me doubt that the 4-pin XLR was really balanced.

And so, also an excellent frequency response curve, the noise shelf has slightly grown at the very bottom, excellent dynamic range, intermodulation distortion below minus 125 dB, and harmonic below minus 132 dB with a percentage ratio of 0.00006%.

That is, it is almost identical to the linear output, but there are differences and they consist in a much greater interpenetration of the channels, which was rated “very good”. Technically, of course, it’s also very cool, but I have questions about their NFCA module.

Sound

In terms of sound, I would also share the capabilities of the DAC with and without an external amplifier. To begin with, I decided to head-to-head compare the review hero with my current favorite SMSL DO200 on the SMSL HO200 headphone amplifier. They cost about the same, and the amplifier is very decent. As a result, Topping seemed to me a little softer and warmer, and SMSL, on the contrary, was noticeably more clear and collected. But the difference is, really, three kopecks. In terms of its mass, depth, quality of processing transient characteristics and the construction of the scene as a whole, I would put between them, if not an equal sign, then close to that. The fact that both models are assembled on the same component base here literally begs the tongue. The space and instruments in it are transmitted simply enchantingly: with the maximum immersion effect and absolutely amazing drawing accuracy of each instrument, regardless of the depth of its location inside the scene. So I personally don’t see a clear favorite between them and could easily change them for each other.

The sound is delivered as always naturally, juicy and simply super melodic. From the style, I don’t see any restrictions at all, especially with the proviso that you can choose any external amplifier for the DX5 at all, and the initial intelligibility, physicality and energy are simply at the highest level. The sound of heavy and not so heavy metal, jazz, blues, orchestral music of any complexity, soul, electronics, ethnic and good old rock is worthy of maximum respect. The main thing is not to save on headphones, the capabilities of the DAC are such that it will easily reveal even models from $ 600 and above, not to mention some folk solutions.

If we disassemble the sound by frequencies, then we have a lively, deep and slightly smoothed bass, also slightly softened, but undoubtedly spectacular in terms of melody, the middle, with the right weight and almost meticulous transmission of the entire musical space. Highs are also endowed with a pleasant mass, duration and the very layering that audiophiles so often talk about. Listening to the DX5 with a good amplifier gave me many hours of indescribable pleasure. Very cool, just amazing sounding for its segment. I really liked it.

As for our own amplifying part, here, in my opinion, much more modest opportunities await us. The sound itself acquires a more collected, sharp character, but the very space of the stage, about which I have already given so many flattering words, completely disappears. The depth of the stage, of course, is felt, but after the HO200 it seems rudimentary. Yes, everything sounds very cheerful, good sharpness and expressiveness, all the details are clearly drawn, but the space and volume are no longer felt that way. Of course, not bad, but the bundle turned out to be just the coolest DAC and amplifier a couple of steps simpler.

However, in the Topping L50, the character of the sound was very close to what I hear in the DX5. A little easier, but somewhere close. But in comparison with the DX3 Pro +, the similarities are already much less. It was in the latter, in my opinion, that Topping managed to convey the scene as it is for the first time. Here, the policy again changed to the classic for this manufacturer emphasis on details, transparency, technicality and legibility. That will be greatly appreciated by fans of various heavy genres and simple electronics. The sound has its own volume, the vocals move forward a little, the instruments of other planes are also perfectly readable, there is enough melody and saturation to the head, there is only scope and depth. In general, decent, but the DAC itself can do a lot more. So at first I would probably drive it as it is, and then I would think about purchasing a good external amplifier.

Video version of the review

findings

Summing up, the Topping DX5 stationary DAC has a simply stunning appearance, a convenient control panel, a fairly bright, well-read display, all the necessary inputs, including bluetooth with support for AptX HD and LDAC codecs, USB, optics and coaxial, and outputs, intelligently divided into balanced and unbalanced. And both for linear and in case of headphone output. Where, wait a minute, we have an output power of up to 1800 mW into a 32 ohm load. Regarding the possibilities of PCM, DSD and MQA streams, it is not even worth mentioning, they all have the maximum characteristics for today.

Technically, as measurements show, the DAC is just great, and it sounds, as they say, for all the money. Excellent scene construction, slightly softened, but very detailed drawing of timbres, excellent expressiveness, musicality, involvement – in general, you can literally fall into the sound here. If we talk about the built-in headphone amplifier, then, in my opinion, it slightly simplifies the sound of the DAC, noticeably narrowing the stage and shifting emphasis on technicality, clarity and drive. Which, no doubt, is also gorgeous, but the DAC itself is capable of more.

I don’t see any point in taking the L50 to it, and even more so the L30, the first one will be almost one to one, and the second one will even be a little simpler. Most of the time I personally listened to DX5 with the SMSL HO200 and there was just amazing synergy with it. I literally listened. But these are just my priorities, I love the surround deep sound. I advise you to start listening to the hero of the review as he is, maybe you won’t want to change anything. And so the device is simply gorgeous, its money is definitely worth it. I can totally recommend it for purchase.

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