Topping EX5 MQA Dual ES9038Q2M DAC Bluetooth 5.0 LDAC DSD512 PCM 768kHz Hi-Res Audio HiFi Decoder Headphone Amplifier (Silver)

Product Information

The pictures I received in advance made the device look like it might be smaller than the normal DAC/amps I usually review. How do I chose a suitable headphone amp for a 16 Ω load if the manufacturer doesn't state the power levels into such a load? Especially for me, detail retrieval is extremely important so I could skip the GIGO (Garbage In > Garbage Out) effect.

Topping DX5 Review - Headfonia Reviews Topping DX5 Review - Headfonia Reviews

But add some distorted rock or metal, maybe a cluttered electronica and EX5 will start choking and closing in its soundstage. Another, smaller problem, is I think it has too much bass in some specific frequency that makes it sound a little "hummy"?I’m quite annoyed when rubber feet are leaving a trail of glue on expensive audio gear or on my table.

EX5 user manual and drivers for Windows 10-TOPPING EX5 user manual and drivers for Windows 10-TOPPING

The display has an almost retro amber lit simple number display with big numbers and easy to read words.The highest spec XMOS (XU-216) interface is also present, taking care of the USB input and giving a huge helping hand with MQA decoding. It is powered by ESS Technology’s premium-tier ES9068AS DAC chips in dual configuration and it features Topping’s latest NFCA amplifier circuitry. This is not yet another DAC made to offer the best measurements at the expense of musicality, instead this time it seems that the engineers have done their homework into making it a real music playing machine.