Topping DX5 Lite - High Performance at Lower Price

00:00 About DX5 Lite
03:20 Sound (Line Out)
04:44 Sound (Headphone Out)
06:44 vs DX3 Pro+
07:34 vs SMSL C200
09:52 vs RME ADI-2 FS (E70/L70)
12:16 Conclusion

Test system:
Spirit Wind Speakers
Head-Fi:

#hifi #audiophile #dac #stereo

[budgetaudiophilelife-long]

GREAT DESCRIPTION, SRBJ 🤗 for helping others to see if it is what they are looking 👀 for 🤔💚💚💚

[jareh]

Great reviews Srboljub, honest and always on point, keep up the great reviews

[CaptainSkelly]

All these single unit devices are so great for newer audiophiles or average people wanting to get better sound quality out of their daily computer time. Fiio K7, DX5 Lite, SMSL C200, all of those are nice to recommend to friends and newcomers. Makes things easier for those of us who are a bit more picky about setups in this hobby lmao. By the way, I recently got an A30 Pro and D30 Pro stack and I've gotta say. It's probably my favorite stack right now. And I usually use a Modi and Asgard! Which is also a great setup, but there's something about the clean yet powerful sound of the 30 pro stack that has me so addicted to it. Currently on my Arya v2 with the 30 pro stack. Thanks for the recommendation and your reviews! Keep it up.

[frederf]

very helpful review & thanks for the music suggestions too ✌😎👍

[JoseFerreira-zbwh]

I wish topping and other brands would do this more - ditch maq and make their units cheaper. Most people don't really use mqa. Or at least - like in this case - have the option. (dx5 or dx5 lite)

[lukasjanecka]

Thanks for the review Srboljub!
It’s great to see DAC manufacturers are finally abandoning MQA (and lowering prices accordingly).

I would like to ask - did you have a chance to try SMSL SU-1?
I have just bought the DAC (which, sadly, does come with MQA) and, for the hack of it, I’m curious how would you compare line out from DX5 with SU-1?

[Barncore]

Great review as always. You've become my favourite channel for headphone amps/dacs now.

One thing i'm a little confused about - and maybe it's because i've always just used audio interfaces, so i don't know what i don't know - but when you say "for the headphone output it's amazing" and "if you're using just for the DAC then it's not as good"... doesn't the DAC get used when you're using the headphone output regardless? Or, is it that when you refer to using "solely the DAC" you're talking about using the line outputs on the back for speakers?

[pabloosvaldopenizzotto]

Hi! Thank you for your review. Excellent by the way, as always expected from you! Let me tell you that I have been discovering some interesting audiophile music in your channel. This time Nenad Vasilic. Very interesting! Thank you.

[vadym]

Thanks for review! What may you recomendet for as headphone as studio monitor RCA and XLR out?

[StructureMastery]

Hey, thank for the video ! Currently looking to buy a new dac amp combo, currently my choice is between the DX5, of the SMSL SU1 + the SMSL SH8S, or another around 250 possibility, what do you think would be the best ?

I am driving an Hifiman Edition XS

[andypyne]

Thank you! I really appreciate the '85-90%' comment explaining how similar/different the (subjective) comparisons are. I wish more reviewers would give a percentage comparison!

One of the hardest things when reading!/watching reviews (especially if using those reviews to inform a purchase) is to determine 'how much' better/worse two components are in the eye (well, ear!) of the reviewer.

If I'm presented with two amplifiers, DACs, or sets of speakers etc and one is £200 and the other £700 etc, knowing that the £700 is 'much clearer and energetic' doesn't tell/help me as much as a statement like 'the £200 one gets you about 95% there'. In that example, I'd opt for the cheaper one and not look back since clarity and energy aren't my main concern. Maybe if one had a 15% more tonally richer midrange etc then (personally) I might hold-fire and either wait until I can afford the more expensive item or look towards a different alternative to the £700 item than the cheaper one which at that point I might rule out.

Hope the above makes sense - I guess in summary, I really value a 'perceived percentage' figure (no matter how inaccurate) on how well two items compare in different areas. I think the higher up the audiophile chain there are far greater diminishing returns, so a £15'000 DAC being "so much richer, and resolving" than a £1500 DAC is perhaps expected, but if the reviewer explained that the £1500 gets you about 97% there and is only distinguishable on a £20k speaker and amp combination then it would give me much more clarity.... 95% more clarity than the word 'much' 😂

[prathibha]

Thank you for the review Srboljub!, how does it compare Hagel H-190 Internal DAC? I'm looking for a DAC to beat my Hagel H190 internal DAC at a budget price, can you please recommend any other DAC superior to my current H190 Dac, I do not need MQA, Thanks again

[deadline]

Nicely Done.
I know you enjoy the E70 Velvet but haven't heard you talk about the Aune X8 Magic XVIII and Sparkos opamp comparison.
Has the needle moved that much that quickly ?
Thanks

[yn]

Great review! When you said headphone output--I assume it applies to both the 6.35 and the XLR headphone out? Or is it just one of them?

[Gilliboy]

I'm looking for a new dac with price point of around 400 eur. Which one of the next three would you consider as the best: SMSL D300, Sabay a20d (2022 version) or Loxjie d40 pro?

[jesseharradine]

would this be a good option to pair with Focal Clear MG Pro headphones, I have an UAD apollo system at my studio but looking to do some mixing at home using the focal clear headphones. Was going to go the traditional route audio company for this but this topping stuff seems very interesting! I don't need MQA ... this is not for listening pleasure but for music production/mixing

[jelee]

Can you please review Aune XC1? I heard that it really makes difference in terms of sound quality.

[bdhsksg]

Hello! Tell me what sounds better? DX5 Lite or stack E30II + L30II. Thanks!

[fatboyvin]

Dear iiWi, I have a smsl a300/da9 with smsl d300 and schiit modi 3e dac. I Love the smsl da9 + d300 stack to listen to my wharfedale diamond 12.2. Do you think class AB amps like cambridge audio axa81, audiolab 6000A, marantz pm7000n/8006, musical fidelity m2si or rotel a11 tribute will offer a significant upgrade in sound quality? I listen at low - medium level volumes only. The SMSL stacks are more than enough for my listening volume, but if I can get better sound quality with the above amps mentioned, I would like to purchase them, although I would be paying at least $1450 for the class AB amps as compared to $740 for the SMSL stack. Your input would be greatly appreciated. Regards

[LenSaPrinz]

HI Sir after I view yr DX5 review i have bought the DX5, Now I want to buy the POWER AMPLIFER can you recommand me which Power Amplifier that Match with Topping DX5 thank you.have a nice day'