Topping • DACs
Topping DX5 II
Open pageThe DX5 II may be the strongest $299 desk box of its generation: dual ES9039Q2M DACs, up to 7.6W of balanced headphone power, on-board parametric EQ, and a customizable UI, measured by Audio Science Review at under 0.00006% THD+N: performance they call essentially without fault. Headfonics' subjective take matches: lots of clean power that drives most headphones, valuable features, and granular PEQ tuning. The consensus criticisms are minor: Topping's clean-neutral house sound offers no romance, the feature depth hides behind menus, and the crowded sub-$300 all-in-one segment includes serious competition.
Strengths
- State-of-the-art measurements: sub-0.00006% THD+N at $299
- 7.6W balanced output drives nearly any headphone
- On-device parametric EQ and DSP with a customizable UI
Weaknesses
- Clinically neutral character with no flavor options
- Menu-driven depth has a learning curve
- Fierce competition in the sub-$300 all-in-one class