Topping's new DAC, headphone amp and preamp just toppled a few key players to sit with the top of the class

Generally excellent audio performance from a well-made, chunkily specified, functionally flexible device that sells for a little less than it could probably get away with, the Topping DX5 II is a very serious proposition indeed.

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  Poised, spacious, revealing sound

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  Great specification

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  Good quality of build and finish

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  Can easily tend towards sonic brightness

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  Remote control handset lowers the tone just a little

Topping DX5 II: Two-minute review

The DX5 II is the product that Chinese specialist Topping hopes is going to force its name into the ‘affordable desktop audio’ conversation – and so it’s specified it accordingly and then priced it in the most aggressive manner imaginable.

A selection of digital inputs and a wider selection of balanced and unbalanced outputs mean the DX5 II can function as a DAC and headphone amp, like many of the best portable DACs we recommend can, but it can also become a ...