- Topping DX5 II has a double-DAC design with three-step reinforcement
- Bluetooth 5.1 with LDAC and APTX ADAPTIVE/HD
- $ 299 / £ 299 – is now available in the US during July 2025 in Britain
Topping’s new Desktop DAC is surprisingly affordable for its specification: The list price is only $ 299 / £ 299. It is a hi-res DAC, preamplifier and headphone amplifier designed for double assignments as either a free desk amplifier or as part of a component Hi-Fi system.
The DX5 II is the successor to Toppings highly recognized DX5, and it is built around two ES9039Q2M DAC chips from the ESS Technology’s 32-bit Saber series. One chip is dedicated to the left channel and the other to the right; Because the ES9039Q2M is a two-channel DAC chip, it means that there can be two differential signals per day. Channel, as topping says, means a lower noise floor, improved duct separation and better clarity.
Topping DX5 II: Key features
DX5 II supports PCM data for 32-bit/768kHz over USB (24-bit/192kHz via coaxial and optical inputs) and DSD to 22,5792MHz (DSD512). It also supports the DOP (DSD over PCM).
There is a new 32-bit, 16-core XMOS chip for USB data and a high-performance driver for Windows; Other platforms do not require a driver. And there’s Bluetooth 5.1 with LDAC and APTX adaptive up to 24-bit/96 kHz and APTX HD at up to 24-bit/48 kHz. The Bluetooth module also supports low latency, regular APTX, AAC and SBC.
There are three hi-res digital input-USB, coaxial and optical-a 12V trigger in/out and three headphones: balanced XLR, balanced 4.4 mm and single-end 6.35 mm.
And the headphones are driven by Topping’s new X-Hybrid headphone amplifier, which is a fully balanced four-channel design, which is based on embedded feedback composite architecture (NFCA) with a three-stage design: input, up-amber reinforcement stage and output.
Topping says it’s powerful enough to run even difficult flat magnetic headphones with power of 2x 7,600 MW in 16 ohms, 2x 6,400mw in 32 ohms and 2x 990MW in 300 ohms through its balanced output.
DX5 II DAC/Headphone amplifier will be available in the UK in July in a choice of black, white or silver and is already available online in the US.
