Topping G5 DAC/Amp Review - Linearity KING

Get the G5: bit.ly/3ZAGqwa
Get the NX7: bit.ly/3ZAGufo
Video Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:44 - Looks & Build
01:46 - Controls
02:34 - Under the hood of G5
03:51 - Sound Performance
05:56 - Noise Floor
07:13 - Power Output
08:25 - Dynamics & Transients
09:27 - Soundstage & Depth
10:30 - Resolution & Transparency
11:34 - Bass
12:07 - Midrange
12:28 - Treble
12:58 - My Conclusions
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Desktop headphones I’m using:
🎧 Hifiman Susvara: bit.ly/3a39pm2
🎧 Hifiman HE1000SE: bit.ly/3gwkXRW
🎧 Hifiman Arya Stealth: bit.ly/3HORBss
🎧 Audeze LCD-5: bit.ly/3nb5KbD
🎧 Audeze LCD-4: bit.ly/35LFYAK
🎧 Kennerton Rognir: bit.ly/3zD1IxT
🎧 Meze Elite: bit.ly/3RPojys
🎧 Erzetich Phobos V2021: bit.ly/3HMWBhf
🎧 Sennheiser HD800S: amzn.to/3T5FX2J
🎧 Sendy Peacock: bit.ly/3EyZxQf
🎧 Apos Caspian: bit.ly/3nab1QO
Wireless headphones I’m using:
🎧 Sennheiser Momentum 4: amzn.to/3CodrCc
🎧 Sony WH1000XM5: amzn.to/3RUfQKu
🎧 Apple AirPods Max: amzn.to/3rGHQqr
IEMs I’m using:
👂 7Hz Timeless: bit.ly/3q7RNgm
👂 Meze Rai Penta: bit.ly/3j2EhVa
👂 FiiO FH9: bit.ly/3zSWka5
👂 FiiO FH7S: bit.ly/3fYOgi9
👂 FiiO FD7: bit.ly/3nEqw4h
Loudspeakers I’m using:
🔊 KEF Reference 3: amzn.to/3qZKbMm
🔊 Natural Sound NS17: bit.ly/2TuUXx3
🔊 Sound Of Eden Crescendo UNO: bit.ly/3f5jO1X
Integrated/Power Amps I’m using:
💪 Chord Electronics Ultima 5: amzn.to/3CLWVxi
💪 Burson Timekeeper 3X GT: amzn.to/3Ext5hm
💪 Benchmark AHB2: amzn.to/37jcR9M
💪 Topping LA90: bit.ly/3SPThbj
Best DACs I tried so far (in no particular order):
🥇 Gustard R26 Discrete: bit.ly/3TemlZP
🥇 Gustard X26 PRO: bit.ly/2ORB7Ko
🥇 Chord Electronics DAVE: amzn.to/3Tbs2aY
🥇 Denafrips Terminator Plus: bit.ly/3rLr35m
🥇 Rockna Wavelight: bit.ly/3hD33xl
🥇 Audiobyte HydraVox: bit.ly/2VXJjZM
🥇 Musician Aquarius: bit.ly/2U9qwwT
🥇 Matrix Audio Element X2: bit.ly/3Eryerb
🥇 Matrix Audio X-Sabre 3: bit.ly/34oBFyG
🥇 SMSL VMV D2: bit.ly/3q9lIF7
Best Mid-Fi DACs:
🥈 Gustard X18: bit.ly/3CMcJ2W
🥈 Gold Note DS-10 Plus: bit.ly/3f7pYie
🥈 Topping D90SE: bit.ly/3gC5FcO
🥈 Musician Pegasus: bit.ly/2OvCOgn
🥈 Matrix Mini-i Pro 3: bit.ly/3t97FkN
🥈 SMSL SU-10: bit.ly/3Eq9jEm
🥈 SMSL VMV D1SE: bit.ly/3nbaTjT
🥈 SMSL M500 MKIII: bit.ly/3yvztl8
🥈 Soncoz SGD1: bit.ly/36IUQ5r
Best Entry-Level DACs:
🥉 Gustard X16: bit.ly/3SQr6ZL
🥉 Topping D30 PRO: bit.ly/3taPWcE
🥉 Topping E50: bit.ly/3q9e6CE
🥉 Topping D10S: bit.ly/3r1hWNh
🥉 SMSL DO200 MKII: bit.ly/3elkZO4
🥉 SMSL SU-9N: bit.ly/32U7qj3
🥉 Soncoz LA-QXD1: bit.ly/3gf8ONt
Best DAC + Headphone Amp combos:
🎶 Burson Conductor 3X GT: amzn.to/2xcfSKx
🎶 FiiO K9 PRO: bit.ly/3ejKRd3
🎶 Topping DX7 PRO+: bit.ly/3rH6siH
🎶 xDuoo XA-10: bit.ly/39UsS7K
Best Headphone amps:
💣Trafomatic Primavera: bit.ly/3Co8wAZ
💣Trafomatic Head2: bit.ly/3VdNrC1
💣Enleum AMP-23R: bit.ly/3CV2QQN
💣Ferrum OOR + Hypsos: bit.ly/3tbjNSn
💣Burson Soloist 3X GT: bit.ly/3q7nrus
💣Flux Lab Acoustics Volot: bit.ly/3fJegep
💣Benchmark HPA4: bit.ly/2xb6hn5
💣Sparkos Labs Aries: bit.ly/2xcOps1
💣SMSL SP400: bit.ly/3sAUEO2
💣Topping A90 Discrete: bit.ly/2YBwCnZ
💣Singxer SA-1: bit.ly/3eI6aCC
Best USB Dongles & Bluetooth DAC/Amps & Portable DAC/Amps:
📱 Chord Mojo2: amzn.to/3fWXYkM
📱 FiiO BTR7: bit.ly/3fJUhij
📱 Shanling UA5: bit.ly/3yuksQR
📱 xDuoo Poke II: bit.ly/3CIewWO
📱 Topping G5: bit.ly/3Evjs2p
Best DAPs:
🎵 FiiO M17: bit.ly/34pgo84
🎵 FiiO M11 Plus: bit.ly/3Ew0l8K
🎵 Shanling M9: bit.ly/3r4swDh
🎵 Shanling M7: bit.ly/3I9rldH
🎵 Shanling M6 Ultra: bit.ly/3RXGsKQ
🎵 Hiby RS6: bit.ly/3t9mUKw
🎵 Hiby RS5 MKII: bit.ly/3KSqiyE
🎵 Hiby RS2: bit.ly/3EgakPb
These are my honest opinions in different categories. Some of them are affiliated links that help me manage this KZbin channel at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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[@Flavius7]

Funny how some people can't seem too understand what this unit is for (not portable enough), but have no problem walking around with Mojo+Polly .

[@TheAlbert18361]

Nothing funny…. This just shows how good the sound quality of the mojo is… life is all about trade offs… when the sound is that good, u can forego a bit of portability

[@TheHammerofDissidence]

I just replaced a hip dac 2 with this. It sounds really, really good. It actually sounds better than my modi3+/magni+ stack, which surprised me... I tried the 6xx's, Grado Sr80e, Tin T2's, and T60 Argons on it and all sounded great, though the T60s may need a bit more power but don't sound bad at all. 6xx's are a great match imo. My only gripe is the poor shielding. Can't stack a phone on top of the G5 because you'll hear noise. Luckily this isn't a problem for me as it's mostly being used as a desktop amp or if outside, I use the BT.

[@Manupassero]

it's an incredible device and for price / size / performance I think there is nothing better around, it makes me stop missing my desktop devices when I'm away from home for a few days, Topping is breaking the market again and hopefully many more times

[@eyeofsauron7662]

It’s not balanced though is it?

[@Manupassero]

@@eyeofsauron7662 there is a balanced 4.4mm output jack so I assume it should have a balanced circuit inside, you need to verify the specs

[@eyeofsauron7662]

@@Manupassero thank you!

[@enigmacode_1]

2023 Bucket-Listed! Thank YOU.

[@BluesMan90]

HI! I've been following you for a while :) and I've been waiting for this review for a long time. Could you give me your opinion on the comparison regarding the sound quality between the g5 and the fiio Q7?

[@Soundoverload]

Great review 👍🏻

[@Soundnews]

Thanks!

[@untitledwebm]

Hey which one sounds better G5 or ifi gryphon? And also can you charge G5 while using on bluetooth?

[@aceofspades6667]

Pretty sweet looking component

[@marioestevez720]

Great write-up. Was looking for a better Dac than Fiio K11 but liked the desktop power supply for cleaner sound. This has a much better Dac with power ready to go and a clean, noiseless unit. You killed it!

[@nicktaylor7680]

Beautiful solid construction and effortless clean power. Bluetooth super reliable and sounds good enough-great value. Works great as an aux in preamp in the car too. Interested to see how it works as a DAC/pre with speakers. Selector switches are fiddly apart from that this could be an endgame portable for a lot of people.

[@Soundnews]

Couldn't say it better. You're spot on!

[@jimis3167]

Can you shortly compare the raw sounds of Topping G5 with the Mojo 2? Thanks!

[@petrpulpytel]

Hi Sandu, thx for great review👍 is it on par with Mojo 2? which is better SQ?

[@Soundnews]

G5 is better in all regards except for realism and that comes from a Chord DAVE owner.

[@petrpulpytel]

@@Soundnews thanks Sandu for info, so the G5 is then exceptional value👍😀

[@taipan75]

Love the G5. Killer unit 👍👍👍👍

[@Soundnews]

If you like linearity, then yes, it's really good

[@Malik08902]

Hi! I have this one. Better than Fiio Btr7 if I use iems?

[@emereo1981]

Hi, when producing music on the road my Sennheiser HD600 isn’t powered enough by my macbook pro. Is the G5 my go-to solution or are there other more affordable options for my headphones?

[@Libratture]

Hey, I am currently deciding between Questyle M15 and this one for my Sennheiser HD820, will this be able to run them? Many thanks in advance!

[@Rsalmond83]

Yes

[@Gilliboy82]

I'm looking for a multi purpose device which is a pocketable amp for my hifiman edition xs and a new dac which can improve the one in my hegel h95. Is this a solution? Budget around 400 eur.

[@liamporter1137]

Great review. Not sure what this product is for. Why not just buy a DAP or a mobile DAC for headphone users?

[@Soundnews]

Some guys despise slower-moving SoCs of portable DAPs, not to mention their questionable screens. G5 will transform your phone into a DAP, without its limitations.

[@TheMaurob1979]

Hi.. Do you think this unit and the flamingo are superior to thr fiio k5 pro ess? I own one thats why im curious

[@Soundnews]

Hi Mauro, I find them superior to K5 PRO, although I don't have an K5 anymore (that's an K7 in the video) for a direct comparison.

[@TheMaurob1979]

​@@Soundnews ok thanks for the answer.. I noticed my k5 ess has plenty of room even with beyerdynamic 250 ohm.. But in terms of pure sound quality doesnt seem that good..

[@arthurkillen396]

Which level of DAP would this compare to? M3 Ultra? R6 III?

[@suntanglory]

I would love to know too.

[@Soundnews]

Above them. The technicalities (detail retrieval & transient response) and the tonality are close to a FiiO M17. M3U and R6 III are lacking in those areas.

[@joshchacko7729]

Review on Dethonray Pegasus SG-1 please?

[@Malik08902]

Can you comparise with the hiby r5 ii?

[@LuckyX2]

To everyone saying the G5 isn't pocketable, not true. I use it with my phone in my right pocket and the G5 in my left pocket just fine. And those are normal jean pockets. I love my G5 with my pair of Monarch MK2.

[@regisvoiclair]

Is it possible to power it (and recharging) while listening ?

[@Soundnews]

Yep, did that three times already

[@regisvoiclair]

@@Soundnews Thanks.

[@omoveja8185]

Will this be enought for a Arya Stealth then ?

[@Soundnews]

Easy peasy

[@omoveja8185]

@@Soundnews can you please see the commentary I made on you Fiio Q7 video ? I'm really considering the Singxer SA-1 along a SMSL D300, but your praises for the Q7 made me doubt on the whole "you need a Class-A amp for make these planar reach their maximum potential" thing....

[@suntanglory]

It's basically shanling m3x with more power really according to some reviews.

[@Soundnews]

M3X is providing warmth, richness and meat on the bone, G5 is more linear, transparent & honest sounding. To my rusty ears...they aren't close at all.

[@jithuchandradas4950]

I watched for h7 comparison.. Where is it🤣

[@lextr3110]

Cant stand anything with even minor channel imbalance at low or high volume

[@Soundnews]

There is a minor one at the lowest volume level, but there is none at the upper power limits. At least in my case.

[@adilsonnogueira6468]

Too much money for those specs and the size is not pocketable, it seems to me a monster, neither a table dac nor a portable one…

[@Soundnews]

FiiO Q7 and M17 are monsters, G5 looks like a regular DAC & Amp combo to me.

[@zapador]

Too much money? It absolutely destroys alternatives that cost several times more.

[@adilsonnogueira6468]

@@zapador which alternatives?

[@zapador]

@@adilsonnogueira6468 Chord Hugo 2 is over 2500$ and while it certainly isn't bad the G5 is better at 1/8th the price. The G5 performs better than many desktop options that cost more, it's surprisingly good value at just 300$.

[@zapador]

@@Soundnews True, and if you need a G5 it's not for your IEMs but more likely some hard to drive planar magnetics which aren't very portable either. Sure it would be nice if the G5 was smaller but given the desktop performance it offers I think the size is very decent.

[@indianaAudio]

[@Soundnews]

Just replied to one of your vids ;)