The Topping DX5 II is a desktop DAC and headphone amp that basically fits in the palm of your hand — think iPad mini-sized. After spending time with it, the takeaway's simple: it's a small white box that actually works on a cramped desk, powers even demanding headphones without breaking a sweat, and leaves room for everything else you need back there.
A Footprint That Actually Fits
Space is the DX5 II's main trick. The white chassis is small enough to cover with one hand, and it takes up roughly the same footprint as an iPad mini. On a work table, it can sit solo or stack on top of something else — which is exactly what you need in a small room.
Put it next to a phone or slip it under a laptop stand to get the idea: the amp stays low and wide, while the phone towers over it. The white finish blends in nicely alongside silver laptops and white stands too, so it doesn't stick out like a gadget.
Ports Everywhere You Need Them
Topping likes packing in as many connections as possible, and the DX5 II proves it. On the front you get a 4-pin XLR socket plus two headphone jacks — balanced and single-ended — so switching between headphones is just one cable swap. The back row has USB, optical, coaxial inputs, RCA and XLR line outputs, a Bluetooth antenna, and 12V trigger jacks.
That input variety is the real win here: your gaming consoles and TV plug in at the back instead of through some clunky switcher, while the front stays clear for headphones. The settings menu handles display, input selection, output routing, PEQ tweaks, and a few deeper options if you want to dig in.
It Sounds Good and Hits Hard
The DX5 II's tone stays clean and transparent without sounding thin or sterile — there's still some warmth and body to it, so pop music doesn't feel brittle. Small in-ears? No problem at all. Even HD650s plugged straight in never strain or feel underpowered.
Bluetooth 5.1 with LDAC and aptX Adaptive means your phone works without any fuss: pair it once and you're done — no dongle or extra cable needed.
The Bottom Line
The DX5 II is a straightforward desktop DAC and amp that doesn't demand much space or fiddling around — just plug it in, pair your gear, and go. If you like compact electronics, this one's hard to pass up.
8 comments
The feel is good — it turns with distinct clicks, click click click.
How does the volume knob feel? I’m looking for a DAC/amp/preamp all-in-one.
Doesn’t everything end up on Xianyu anyway? What does the brand have to do with it?
Nothing escapes Xianyu.
It’ll end up on Xianyu sooner or later.
PlayStation doesn’t support separate audio output, so you need to buy an adapter.
How do you connect a PS5?
Eversolo, Shanling, FiiO, Topping — all of it ends up on Xianyu.