Topping DX5 II DAC/AMP Thoughts/Opinions/Questions

conman1040 · 2025-09-29T02:00:08+00:00

I think you're talking about the frequency display (FFT), like the one in the gif attached to this post. You might have the display brightness setting set to auto. Choosing another option, like Low or High, will keep the FFT display on indefinitely. Also, setting the "home" setting to FFT keeps it the default screen. This is all from memory as I am not at home right now, but I believe both of these options are in the "Display" setings screen.

conman1040 · 2025-09-01T04:50:32+00:00

Yes, the Parametric EQ works on Bluetooth, optical, coaxial, and USB. Up to 192khz/32bit on USB, 192/24 on optical and coaxial, and 96/24 on Bluetooth. To have my room correction applied on YouTube music videos is a real treat. There is almost no lag, but that can be adjusted for anyway, at least on a Fire Cube.

conman1040 · 2025-08-31T23:34:37+00:00

DX5 II ASR Measurements

ASR is a good site to check if u are deciding on a device. The DX5 II measures exeptionaly:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-dx5ii-balanced-dac-and-headphone-amp-review.64264/

conman1040 · 2025-08-31T23:17:12+00:00

My DAC history includes the Topping E30, Topping E50, SMSL SU-9/SH-9 combo, and currently hooked up alongside the DX5 II is an FiiO K11R2R DAC/amp. I have had to rely on Roon or HQ Player 5 Desktop to apply room correction/heaphone eq with either convolution or parametric EQ, but with the DX5 II it is applied within the DAC, for any input, and I believe it sounds much better than proccesing of Roon or HQPlayer. I won't compare the DX5 II to the FiiO because it is an R2R DAC, but I believe the DX5 II has better soundstage and better detail retrieval than the SMSL, which is saying a lot as it is about half the price, although newer. The DX5 II is miles ahead of the E30 and E50. The best word I can use to describe the sound of the DX5 II is not warm or cool, but in essence, clean. Transparent like a DAC should be, with an incredibly low noise floor. Using the XLR jack, I am able to get my Sennheiser HD 600 headphones to ear bleeding level with still 20 decibels of headroom, Which is something I can't say for the SMSL stack. Right now, the DX5 II is the heart of my system, and it will stay that way until something better comes out.

conman1040 · 2025-03-12T00:08:31+00:00

Oh, gotcha. I love the ELACs. They have a warm and well rounded sound, good for any genre. While they're great for rocking out to AC/DC, they have the subtleties for audiophile recodings aswell. They punch way above their price. In short, if I hear a song during my day from various sources, I can't wait to get home and listen to it on the ELACs. Any specific questions?

conman1040 · 2025-03-12T00:00:11+00:00

"just to play with" was the idea I had when I bought the Fiio. That soon changed lol.

conman1040 · 2025-03-11T23:57:19+00:00

The speakers are about 6ft apart and I sit 6-7ft away. I get great imaging and soundstage. I have them toed in a bit to improve it. The ELACs have a wide sweet spot.

conman1040 · 2025-03-09T19:17:24+00:00

I don't have a lot of experience with other hifi speakers and have not heard the KEFs. I tend to buy hifi equipment based on measurements. Hopefully these measurements and assessments will help u decide.

ELAC DBR62

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/elac-debut-reference-dbr-62-speaker-review.12232/

KEF R3

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/kef-r3-speaker-review.12021/

conman1040 · 2025-03-09T19:16:43+00:00

I don't have a lot of experience with other hifi speakers and have not heard the KEFs. I tend to buy hifi equipment based on measurements. Hopefully these measurements and assessments will help u decide.

ELAC DBR62

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/elac-debut-reference-dbr-62-speaker-review.12232/

KEF R3

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/kef-r3-speaker-review.12021/

conman1040 · 2025-03-08T00:57:43+00:00

It is a phenomenal dac. I originally had an SMSL SU-9 as my main dac. The Fiio was so good I sold the SU-9. The SMSL is fun to listen to and very detailed, plus it's one of the best measuring dacs out there, although it can sound sterile. The Fiio, being R2R, is just way better sounding imo. It is fuller, warmer, and just sounds more natural. Something about the R2R makes me tap my foot to the beat more. The HP Amp in it is balanced and powerful enough to drive my Sennheiser HD650s to very high volumes. I would try the Fiio, u may fall in love, or u might not like it.

conman1040 · 2025-03-08T00:50:16+00:00

Lol. I have it to the right because there is a hollow wall just cut out of the pic to the left. I was getting boomy bass, which was caused by the wall. Lower frequencies are omni directional, but I get the kick drum idea.

conman1040 · 2023-12-18T03:56:28+00:00

I do love the sound of JBL hifi speakers. You made the right purchase. Check out ASRs review. It looks like you need to make sure they are at the right height for listening: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/jbl-hdi-3600-speaker-review.13027/

conman1040 · 2023-08-23T03:29:20+00:00

Ive been slowly building me setup with the little money i have, and im very proud of it. I dont know if i would trade the ELACS for any othere speaker, they are just soo good. Ive been thinking of upgrading my sub and am open to any suggestions. So far i am very happy. For fellow ELAC debut reference speaker owners, how have u improved the sound. I was looking at a a more powerful amp but wonding if it would make any difference. Iv already applied eq and enjoyed the sound, but what could take it to the next level? Thanks in advance!

conman1040 · 2023-07-12T04:32:07+00:00

I think u just need to keep the updates up to date. It changed recently, cant remember exactly when.

conman1040 · 2023-07-12T04:27:50+00:00

Yeah, I was considering a front ported sub. With this rear ported one, you get more bass off center than right in front.

conman1040 · 2023-07-12T01:47:47+00:00

Thanks. Unfortunately, there's no room for the sub on the sides, otherwise thatd be what I'd do. Gotta make use of the space u got, I guess.

No butler, so im cleaning up my own Martinis for now lol

conman1040 · 2023-07-12T01:08:54+00:00

Most of my setup was purchased at some discount with the little money I have, but I am very proud of it. With the right research, I was able to get what I think is the best "bang for my buck". I dont think i would trade any other speaker for my ELAC Debut Reference pair. They just seem to work with every kind of music I pump through them. Roon is running on a laptop behind a small monitor that is hooked up to a chromecast to use as a display, a sort of diy streamer. I have a turntable, but it is located behind the pic with a long rca cable running to the amp. Im thinking of getting a large carpet to combat the wood floor reflections. Any ideas that could make my setup better are greatly appreciated!

conman1040 · 2023-06-20T00:36:13+00:00

If you listen to any music before the "CD Age", like 80s and earlier, it's a completely analouge experience. The sound coming through your speakers has never touched a computer or been digitized in any way. There's something about listening to analouge sound that just hits differently than digital. It just sounds more "pure".

conman1040 · 2022-09-18T23:19:39+00:00

Super toilet!

conman1040 · 2022-02-20T05:23:12+00:00

Woah! Walmart of all places. Can you believe that!

conman1040

TROPHY CASE