Topping DX5 II

Endgame Territory: The Topping DX5 II Redefines What’s Possible at $299

I first encountered the Topping DX5 II at the Munich High End show, where I spent a good 30 minutes at the Topping display in absolute awe of its features and capabilities. Having now spent time with this device in my own setup using the ToppingTune App, I can confidently say it’s even more impressive than I initially remembered. At $299, this headphone amplifier and DAC combo delivers performance and features that would have cost multiples of that price just a few years ago.

Having followed Topping’s progress over the past few years (on AudioScienceReview and other forums), I feel the DX5 II represents a culmination of both their engineering excellence and the innovative design that has made them one of the most respected audio brands.

And having been listening to the DX5 II for the past month, I can say that it’s a truly amazing product in this price range. As you will see later, I have been testing it against many other headphone amplifiers, and at no point in that testing did I feel this was a “cheap” product.

But before I get into the details, let’s look at the unboxing experience:

Unboxing and Build Quality

The Topping DX5 II comes nicely packaged in a clean, professional but plain box:

The back of the box is similarly plain:

Opening the box reveals the unit carefully nestled in protective packaging:

The DX5 II itself has a premium feel with its all-metal chassis and clean design:

The package includes everything needed to get started:

In the box:

• Topping DX5 II unit
• Remote control
• Power cable
• USB cable (old-fashioned, not USB-C)
• 6.35mm to 3.5mm adapter
• Bluetooth antenna
• Product information card

One minor gripe I have with the DX5 II is that it doesn’t come with a USB-C cable. This is a shame, as the USB-C standard is now the standard for all modern desktop computers, and this is more annoying since connecting to your PC or Mac to use the ToppingTune App is part of the DX5 II’s core offering.

Design and Build

The DX5 II features an elegant, minimalist design available in three colors: Black, Silver, and White. For this review, I have the White version, which gives the unit a modern, clean aesthetic that looked very well on my work from home setup.

The front panel is dominated by a vibrant 2.0-inch full-color display that shows playback information, volume levels, input sources, and various settings. The display is flanked by three buttons and a multifunctional rotary knob.

The build quality is exceptional throughout. The aluminum chassis feels solid and substantial, with no flexing or creaking. The rotary volume knob operates with satisfying precision, while the buttons provide tactile feedback with each press.

The rear of the unit is also very solid and well-built, with no obvious flaws:

There is an impressive array of connections, making the DX5 II a versatile hub for your audio system:

The power connection on the back is a standard IEC inlet and I like that we have an internal power supply so no external power adapter is needed:

The included remote control allows for convenient operation of all major functions:

Overall, the DX5 II’s construction quality significantly exceeds what you might expect at this price point.

Features and Performance

The Topping DX5 II is packed with features that make it not just a DAC and headphone amplifier, but a comprehensive audio control center for your desktop setup. Let’s explore its key capabilities:

Connectivity

The DX5 II offers an impressive array of input and output options:

Inputs:

• USB-B (PCM up to 768kHz/32-bit, DSD512, MQA)
• Optical (PCM up to 192kHz/24-bit)
• Coaxial (PCM up to 192kHz/24-bit)
• Bluetooth 5.1 (LDAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, AAC, SBC)

Outputs:

• 4.4mm balanced headphone output
• 4-pin XLR balanced headphone output
• 6.35mm (1/4") single-ended headphone output
• XLR balanced line output
• RCA single-ended line output

This comprehensive connectivity makes the DX5 II extremely versatile, capable of handling virtually any modern audio source and integrating seamlessly into a wide variety of audio systems.

12V Trigger Connectivity: The 12V Trigger IN/OUT allows the DX5 II to be activated by other devices or to activate other devices via a 3.5mm AUX cable. The upstream device connected to Trigger In can control the power on/standby of the DX5 II, and downstream devices connected to Trigger Out can be controlled by the DX5 II. Before using the Trigger IN function, you need to set the On/Off trigger mode to “12V” in the setup menu.

I tested this with my WiiM Ultra and it worked great, switching on/off the Topping when music started streaming.

Aurora UI Interface

One of the standout features of the DX5 II is its vibrant 2.0-inch Aurora UI color display, which provides clear visual feedback for all operations. The interface is intuitive and responsive, making navigation through the various settings and features straightforward.

The settings menu provides access to a wide range of configuration options:

Here is a long video of the different menu options:

The display also shows when a firmware update is in progress:

Animated Display and VU Meters

One of my favorite features of the DX5 II is its animated display modes, which include VU meters and spectrum analyzers that react to your music. This isn’t just for show – it provides useful visual feedback about your audio signal while adding a touch of analog charm to the digital device.

The VU meter display is particularly satisfying to watch during playback:

The VU meter display is particularly satisfying to watch with a lovely warm colour:

Another minor gripe, I have is that the display does not really turn off fully, so even after the timeout period you still see the input source name displayed:

But I got into the habit of turning off the DX5 II with the switch on the back next to the power supply, when I finished working.

Dual DAC Implementation

At the heart of the DX5 II are dual ES9039Q2M DAC chips, which deliver exceptional audio quality. This implementation supports high-resolution PCM up to 768kHz/32-bit, DSD512, and full MQA decoding. The dual DAC design ensures excellent channel separation and a clean, detailed sound presentation.

Powerful Headphone Amplification

The DX5 II features Topping’s X-Hybrid balanced headphone amplification circuit, capable of delivering up to 7600mW of power per channel into a 32Ω load from the balanced outputs. This is more than enough power to drive even the most demanding headphones on the market, from high-impedance studio monitors to power-hungry planar magnetic designs.

Even more impressive is how this power is delivered with an extremely low noise floor of just 1.8μVrms, making the DX5 II equally suitable for sensitive IEMs. I will share some measurements later in the review where this engineering excellence is obvious.

Preamp Functionality

Beyond its capabilities as a headphone amplifier, the DX5 II can function as a high-quality preamp, allowing you to connect it directly to active speakers or power amplifiers. The volume control is implemented at a high level of precision, ensuring clean signal management without degradation at any volume level.

Parametric EQ

The DX5 II includes the ability to have 5 profiles saved each with 10-band parametric EQ. This PEQ can be managed through the Topping Tune software, giving you granular control over frequency response to match your preferences or compensate for headphone characteristics.

One feature I really love with the PEQ is you can assign a button on the remote control to toggle the PEQ so you can do some useful A/B like testing when customising the PEQ profiles, assuming you volume match, the PEQ profiles:

Topping Tune Software

The DX5 II can be managed through Topping’s desktop software, which allows for firmware updates and detailed configuration of features like the parametric EQ:

The software shows the current firmware version:

It’s worth noting that while the software continues to improve, it’s still one of the few weak points in the overall package. I highly recommend updating to the latest firmware (v1.69 at the time of writing) to ensure the best performance and stability:

Once you’ve updated the firmware and saved your PEQ profiles, you won’t need to use the software regularly, as most functions can be managed directly from the device itself.

For example, for the Sivga Peng headphone (review coming soon) I created this PEQ profile:

And then this PEQ is easily applied to the DX5 II:

This PEQ tweak completely transformed the sound of the Peng.

I really liked that I can have many named profiles make it super easy to switch using the on-screen display.

Firmware Considerations

It’s worth emphasizing that to get the best experience from the DX5 II, you should update to the latest firmware (v1.69 at the time of writing). Earlier firmware versions had some bugs and quirks, particularly around the PEQ filters, but most of these have been addressed in the updates.

The firmware update process is NOT done through the Topping Tune app (though the app does show you the current firmware version). To update the firmware:

1. Connect the DX5 II to your PC or Mac via USB
2. Press and hold the power button as you switch on the unit
3. An external ‘drive’ will appear on your computer
4. Simply drag and drop the downloaded firmware file onto this drive
5. The update process will begin immediately

Here is what that external ‘drive’ looks like on my Macbook Pro:

Once you drag the updated firmware on this drive, it disappears as the firmware upgrade process starts.

Sound Impressions

The Topping DX5 II delivers an exceptional audio experience characterized by a neutral, transparent presentation that faithfully reproduces recordings without coloration. This is exactly what you want from a high-quality DAC and amplifier – to get out of the way and let the music shine through. Of course, one you start tuning the PEQ filters you can change the sound profile to suit your taste and your headphone collection.

Bass

The bass response from the DX5 II is tight, controlled, and extends deep when the recording demands it. There’s no artificial bloat or emphasis, just precise, textured low-end reproduction. The powerful amplification ensures that even headphones with demanding bass response, like planar magnetics, receive adequate power to render low frequencies with authority.

On tracks like Massive Attack’s “Angel,” the DX5 II reproduces the subterranean bassline with impressive weight and definition, maintaining clarity even as the complex layering builds throughout the track.

Midrange

Midrange reproduction is where many DACs and amplifiers reveal their character, but the DX5 II maintains its neutral stance here as well. Vocals and instruments are presented with natural timbre and excellent separation, allowing you to hear subtle details in complex mixes.

Listening to acoustic recordings like Joni Mitchell’s “Blue” reveals the natural resonance of her voice and guitar, with a palpable sense of presence that places the performance right in front of you.

Treble

The treble presentation is detailed and extended without ever becoming harsh or fatiguing. There’s plenty of air and sparkle to cymbals and high-frequency instruments, but no artificial emphasis that might lead to listening fatigue over long sessions.

On orchestral recordings, the subtle details of string sections and percussion are rendered with precision, allowing you to hear the full harmonic structure of complex pieces.

Soundstage & Imaging

The DX5 II creates an impressive soundstage that extends both wide and deep when the recording allows. Imaging is precise, with clear placement of instruments and voices in the sonic landscape. The excellent channel separation afforded by the dual DAC implementation and the incredible low noise contributes to this outstanding spatial performance.

Listening to binaural recordings or well-engineered live albums really showcases the DX5 II’s capabilities in this area, creating an immersive experience that extends well beyond the physical boundaries of your headphones.

Comparisons

The Topping DX5 II stands out even in a crowded field of excellent DAC/amp combinations. I have been testing many amplifiers recently:

In this lineup, you can see the DX5 II alongside several other respected desktop amplifiers.

I spent a very enjoyable week starting with a large selection, of these amplifiers in my rack (including the FiiO K17, and Burson Playmate 3 and Aune N7), switching between each for a few hours at a time while working:

For these comparisons, I was ultimately looking for a smaller unit that would work well in my smaller “work from home” desktop setup. I want optical and usb inputs, RCA outputs (for desktop speakers), PEQ, decent power for any headphone I might be reviewing.

Ultimately, with this criterial it came down to these 2:

While I do love the JDSLabs Element IV, especially that large precise volume control, but the screen on the DX5 II was sort of perfect, so ultimately that won me over. Price might also be a factor as the DX5 II is much cheaper than the Element IV.

Specifications and Measurements

These specifications are reproduced from Toppings published here

DX5 II DAC Parameters (LineOut/USB In@96kHz)

Parameter	RCA	XLR
THD+N @1KHz (A-wt)	<0.00008%	<0.00006%
THD @20-20kHz 90kBw	<0.0005%	<0.00015%
SNR @ 1kHz (A-wt)	128dB	132dB
Dynamic Range @1kHZ (A-wt)	128dB	132dB
Frequency Response	20Hz-20kHz (+0.3dB)	20Hz-20kHz (+0.3dB)
	20Hz-40kHz (+1.0dB)	20Hz-40kHz (+1.0dB)
Output Level	2.5Vrms @OdBFS	5.0Vrms @OdBFS
Noise @A-wt	<1.1uVrms	<1.3uVrms
Channel Crosstalk	-135dB @1kHz	-147dB @1kHz
Channel Balance	0.3 dB	0.3 dB
Output Impedance	50Ω	100Ω

DX5 II Headphone Amplifier Specifications (USB In@96kHz)

Parameter	6.35mm Headphone Jack	4.4mm/4-pin-XLR Headphone Jack
THD+N @1kHz (A-wt)	<0.00008% @Output=200mW(32Ω)	<0.00008% @Output=850mW (32Ω)
	<0.00007% @Output=22mW (300Ω)	<0.00007% @Output=90mW (300Ω)
THD @20-20kHz (45kBW)	<0.00060% @Output=200mW (32Ω)	<0.00050% @Output=850mW (32Ω)
	<0.00050% @Output=22mW(300Ω)	<0.00050% @Output=90mW (300Ω)
SNR @MAX OUT 1kHz (A-wt)	131dB @1kHz	133dB @1kHz
Dynamic Range @1kHz (A-wt)	131dB @1KHz	133dB @1kHz
Frequency Response	20Hz-20kHz (+0.3dB)	20Hz-20kHz (+0.3dB)
	20Hz-40kHz (+1.0dB)	20Hz-40kHz (+1.0dB)
Output Level	7.2Vpp @G=L	15.0Vpp @G=L
	24.2Vpp @G=H	48.0Vpp @G=H
Noise (A-wt)	<1.1uVrms @G=L	<1.6uVrms @G=L
	<2.5uVrms @G=H	<4.3uVrms @G=H
Channel Crosstalk	-143dB @1kHz	-143dB @1kHz
Gain	G=L 8.6dB (Vrms/FS)	G=L 14.6dB(Vrms/FS)
	G=H 18.7dB (Vrms/FS)	G=H 24.7dB(Vrms/FS)
Channel Balance	0.3 dB	0.3 dB
Output Impedance	<0.10Ω	<0.10Ω
Output Power	3300mW x 2 @16Ω THD+N<1%	7600mW x 2 @16Ω THD+N<1%
	2200mW x 2 @32Ω THD+N<1%	6400mW x 2 @32Ω THD+N<1%
	1160mW x 2 @64Ω THD+N<1%	4300mW x 2 @64Ω THD+N<1%
	250mW × 2 @300Ω THD+N<1%	990mW x 2 @300Ω THD+N<1%
	120mW x 2@600Ω THD+N<1%	490mW× 2 @600Ω THD+N<1%
Load Impedance	>8Ω	>8Ω

The key specifications for me are the power output of 6400mW x2 into 32Ohms and the incredible low THD+N values measured.

Measurements

But as always it is better to have independent verification of these published specifications. So, AudioScienceReview has performed comprehensive measurements of the DX5 II, confirming its exceptional technical performance. The results show that this device is not just good “for the price” – it’s objectively excellent by any standard, this is where I feel the DX5 II builds upon years of delivering exceptionally well engineered audio products.

The USB XLR dashboard measurements show incredibly low distortion:

The dynamic range tests reveal an impressive 21 bits of dynamic range:

Power output measurements are not quiet as good as the Toppings published values but they are very close and still pretty amazing for a device this size and price:

For the complete set of measurements and analysis, I highly recommend checking out Amir’s excellent review on AudioScienceReview.

Rating Explanation

The Topping DX5 II earns a perfect 5/5 pragmatic rating for several compelling reasons:

• Exceptional value: At $299, it delivers performance and features that I have not seen at this price
• Versatility: Works equally well with sensitive IEMs and power-hungry full-size headphones
• Feature-rich: Comprehensive connectivity, PEQ, preamp mode, and advanced UI give users everything they need
• Technical excellence: Measurements that we come to expect from Topping products
• Build quality: Premium construction that belies its affordable price point

For most users, I feel this represents an endgame solution. The few shortcomings (occasional software quirks, legacy usb-B connector) are minor compared to the overwhelming strengths of this product.

The DX5 II is ideal for:

• Desktop audio enthusiasts seeking a single high-quality device for all headphones
• Audiophiles who appreciate both measurements and subjective performance
• Users who want the flexibility to use both headphones and active speakers
• Anyone seeking endgame performance without the endgame price

Conclusion

The Topping DX5 II represents a remarkable achievement in desktop audio. It delivers reference-level performance, exceptional versatility, and a comprehensive feature set at a price point that defies conventional expectations in the high-end audio market.

This device has replaced the JDS Labs Element IV as my go-to recommendation for a small desktop headphone amplifier with PEQ. While I still appreciate the tactile satisfaction of the Element’s volume knob, the DX5 II’s VU meters, sheer power output, and comprehensive feature set make it the more compelling overall package – especially at its lower price point.

If you’re in the market for a desktop headphone solution, this should be at the very top of your list – regardless of your budget.