🟥Topping MX5 // One Amp to Rule them All _(Z Reviews)_

[@ZReviews]

HERE ARE THE PADS ON THE 880's These dekoniaudio.com/product/choice-suede-ear-pads-for-beyerdynamic-headphones?rfsn=6406645.d33749 Support? ⚔️www.SubscribeStar.com/Zeos -- Subscribe Star 🥇www.Patreon.com/Zeos -- Check out the Patreon

[@sebastianrosenbach7873]

Ever thought about doing an Audio-upgrade for your GoPro filming?

[@TheLomsor]

Love my MX3. The features really make the difference and it's my daily driver for general music, work and gaming. Seems like they did it again, nice.

[@franckthetanck9905]

same

[@Jounar]

Picked up the MX3 after watching Zeos's review many moons ago, and it's been my daily driver ever since.

[@Spawnholio]

The MX5 is next level. So much better than the MX3. Just my honest opinion.

[@johnnixon2504]

New Mazda Miata amp 🧐😂

[@MrKANIOREX]

I am still way too astonished by my E30 to switch 😉

[@corcaa]

The new NE.

[@jasonleven]

Just purchased one of these this afternoon after my 12 year old yamaha amp died. Running Dali Zensor 1 speakers, so nothing too special, but holy F@%k ! The sound is amazing. I'm a bit shocked at how good this little thing is. Absolutely exceeded my expectations!

[@13picnik]

100% My new favourite youtube channel. I've learnt more about sound in the last three days than i have in the last 40 years. And i spent 20 years in the entertainment industry!! Your videos are amazingly entertaining and educational. I love the way you present your opinion. So great!

[@concertmaster]

I have to agree, his videos are amazingly entertaining but I'm not sure about the educational aspect, well yeah you learn more of this audiophile gibberish but it's kind of misleading when he says almost only good things about every product he "reviews". to me it feels like all the videos I watch it's just "ahhh why haven't you bought this yet!?" and then the first two lines of the description that I can see without clicking on "show more" are affiliate links to directly buy the gear

[@DougMen1]

The Merus is an Infineon chip, and First Watt is one of the companies from legendary amp designer Nelson Pass.

[@gadgetguy99]

I use the mx3 for my bedroom with a small pair of speakers and tv. Works great and the remote is very convenient.

[@xuberone]

between the Topping MX5 and the Loxjie A30, which would you recommend having tested both?

[@phoenixrising4073]

Seems like a good all-in-one for the money. I still want a stack of separate units because it makes me feel classy like a hi dolla ho.

[@superblitz2274]

For the same price,what seperate parts would you recommend?

[@Beati3]

Thank you! I've got one of these driving a pair of Q Acoustic 3020is, and a pair of Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X, and I'm content. I might eventually get the 900s for just at home but I can't use open back headphones at work in the open plan office. I'm giving up watching all the new stuff and I'm going to spend my time enjoying the stuff I have. I really appreciate you expert advice. Thank you.

[@josephc3080]

Really appreciate this review. the MX5 + DT880s are on my list for upgrades!

[@Jacobawesome1137]

Ugh its almost perfect! It has everything I need, except for a sub-out :(

[@devote]

Same! I've been on the look out for a 2.1 amp like this but they all seem to have slightly different features which make it hard to find the right one.

[@masterxyr]

@@devote some dude here was saying that since HP out can play simultaneously with speaker out you can get jack to sub cable and voilá

[@devote]

@@masterxyr sorry I'm not understanding. There is no other outputs other than the headphone jack and speaker L/R

[@devote]

@@kevinchrist1658 oh okay. Thanks.

[@masterxyr]

@@devote u can use the headphone jack ou as a sub out since it can play simultaneously with speaker out, or experiment with Y splitters before or after the speaker plugs

[@rodrocdl]

Being here since the MX3 but I might actually pull the trigger on this one.

[@steamstories1279]

DT880 600ohm can be fully driven by Beyerdynamic A2 which has 100 mw of output power. Beyerdynamic recommends 200 mw maximum output for DT880.

[@picapica201]

that is because they have 100 Ohm output impedance, whereas other modern amps have less than 10 or even 1. These headphones were made like that for older, tube amps that had higher impedance, and that's why current ones struggle so much with them even when they theoretically have enough power, because of something called damping factor. BUT if you use a plug that increases the output impedance between DT880 & the amp, more amps will be able to drive them.

[@WillieBloom]

”The next best thing!”. Said with love Z.

[@jng7803]

Was looking at this product, and here comes the review. Great!

[@michaelrast4263]

Literally like 2hrs ago, I was looking for reviews on the MX5.. This is a hell of a good timing coincident.. I think I am going to get some RB42's for the bedroom, and need something to power them. I have the Topping P50/A50s/D50s at work, and love them.. Just need something for the RB42's.. not sure if a sub would be needed or not, as its only like a 15'x15' room (maybe smaller). Need some recommendations if anyone has them... Ideally less than $500, with bluetooth and the standard features sort of like the A50s has.. I like the square form factors of these as well.. TIA

[@phoenixrising4073]

Running the P50 D50 combo to my amp at home and absolutely love it. I do want a second system for upstairs and looking at smsl just for variety but being a Topping fanboy makes it difficult for me.

[@brandonyoungkrantz8279]

Mind sharing what you ended up going with for the rb42s? The cheaper options like this mx5 all seem decent, but I'm aware those speakers are power hungry.

[@CampbellyTube]

How does this compare to the Loxjie A30?

[@ianmcsherry5254]

Going to 100 is inadequate for us old crusties, we need it to go up to 11. None more black. 👍

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

20:36 scissoring !

[@hudsonbissell6946]

You could also run a subwoofer out of the headphone output with a 3.5mm to RCA adapter. That's where being able to play out of the speakers and headphone out simultaneously could come in handy. I do this with my Aiyima T8 preamp/DAC since my speakers are running out of an Aiyima A07 (which has no sub out)

[@ZReviews]

Or just get a sub with Speaker Level In's and split the output, doesn't even need to be heavy gauge. BUT YES, the headphone out would work too.

[@devote]

Damn! This would be perfect if only it had a Sub out 😓

[@stevenhickman4198]

Merus is a model in the Infineon amp lineup

[@ZReviews]

Either way. I get to link Meru

[@paristrout8469]

Hey Z. I just discovered you videos. I'm a touring Sound Engineer. I am really enjoying going back through the catalog of videos as I am just starting to rebuild my home system after years of having nothing (being on the road makes it hard). I bought a pair of KEF q100's cheap, and a topping dx3 pro+, then found your channel, ironically. The Topping stuff seams to be a bargain. I almost bought this instead of dx3, but i wanted AT LEAST one set of RCA pre outs. If it had that, it would be damn near perfect. Anyway, I'm old, so I like vintage gear. I know thats not necessarily your thing, but I recommend you do a little research on David Hafler. Many things we have today in Hifi started with him. Might be a good history lesson for your viewers. Then, find yourself a nice used hafler amp with the "ambience" outs, and discover the magic of the "Hafler Hookup". Enjoy, and keep up the great work.

[@paristrout8469]

@@joanfrederick9176 Thanks. Z is a riot, and obviously as knowledgable as anyone in the business at this point. I am glad he warmed to KEF. I have dreamed of owning them since I was young, now I have 4 pair. (C55, C35, q15 and q100). Seeing his reaction to the q100's after having already bought them, I felt a little vindicated. I scored a hafler 120 off CL from a local audiophile big into hafler. Having had several tube dynaco's in the past, I wanted something stable and reliable, that didn't need constant attention, and a huge investment. The 5.1 home theatre receiver i got from a pawn shop was driving me nuts (phasing issues galore), and hasn't been plugged back in since the Hafler showed up. I have the q15 tweeters and x-overs in the C55's right now, until the new tweeter diaphragms arrive. They are running as my rears. I may pick up a Hafler preamp soon, its either that, or an Erhard Dynaco kit. Gotta have tubes somewhere in the signal path......

[@B.D.B.]

I hope the rotary encoder in that unit is better than the one in the MX3, mine failed within ~4 months. It just outputs garbage, I have to use the remote for volume.

[@steray8112]

You elevate the word "living" in the phrase "living in your parent's basement" to an entirely new level, if not another dimension if not universe. Rock on.

[@kristophergurley585]

This and some good small speakers = a cool little travel system. Get away to the mountains and bring tunes along sounds like a fantastic vacation to me. I gotta be the ass here though. Nelson Pass’ company First Watt makes no tube amps nor do they make a 1 watt amp(there are some 1 watt amps out there that are good but none from First Watt). He named his company that because he believes that the first watt is the most important. It’s basically the place where all the crazy and experimental amps are born. Most of them are lower power solid state amps with either a single or a pair of transistors per channel. Less pricey than actual Pass Labs stuff but still too rich for my blood. Cool stuff though.

[@iowaudioreviews]

I like all the features in one unit, BUT the speaker amplifier having 1% and upto 10% THD+N ratings is not good... yet they list it with the features. Maybe they couldn't keep the price down with an Infineon amp chip. The poor amp performance defeats the performance of the DAC and the Bluetooth AptX even... AND the biggest fail is no sub output... what the hell Topping? Many products that are similar competitors for the last 2 years have added a sub output. Sabaj even added high pass filters. Really the SMSL AD18 is half the price and better in some aspects. If you dont need a all in one there's plenty of 2 piece combo's that are better for $300. Sorry Topping this one falls short for me.

[@sav7568]

Modern design headphone amps tend not to include sub out sockets. The design of the AD18 is about 5 years old and in that time design advancements in both class D amps and all forms of DACs have been huge. You would be buying an inferior product in the AD18 and all for a sub out. Not smart. If you absolutely must have a subwoofer then use the headphone socket to connect to a powered subwoofer such as the Presonus Sub8 or the KRK 8.4. Alternatively you could buy a modern design amp with sub out such as the SMSL DA9 and couple it with some bluetooth headphones.

[@zackw4941]

@@sav7568 I had an AD18 for a few years and passed it on to my little brother when I got my Emotiva TA-1. My girlfriend has an AD18 too. For under $150, AD18 is an outstanding choice. Period. TA-1 is better but not night and day for $400 more. I also bought a DA-9 to go with some KEFs for my grandma. Tried it out briefly in the living room and it maybe even better than my TA-1. Certainly a better amp than the AD18. Probably a giant killer like people are saying. But it's $250 and you still need a decent wired DAC to do what the AD18 does. Now you're $5-600 VS

[@DougMen1]

You should know that they spec the amp at those THD levels so they can claim higher power than it actually puts out. DUH! Your ignorance is on full display once again, for all to see.

[@harnoorsingh2866]

Review Tringle Magellan Duetto those are the best speakers I have ever heard

[@jeffsloane8628]

One of these days someone is going to add bass management to one of these small amplifiers and then it is game over for the ones who don't have it. I'm looking at you SMSL, Loxjie, Topping, SVS, Lepai, Fosi, Aiyima and Dayton. I want the ability to connect a subwoofer though an RCA and then have a variable cross over to remove bass to the L/R speakers.

[@sav7568]

You are asking too much of the low price and small size of this type of unit. You gets what you pays for. If you want a small and cheap crossover then you can't beat the miniDSP 2x4.

[@zqhtpro]

This may have finally put an end to my something to upgrade from my mx3. Which has developed an issue with the receiver inconsistently registering button press from the remote, a finicky volume wheel, and struggling to push my dt 770 250 ohm.

[@joshuasterling2144]

It looks perfect with the exception of the sub out, it it had that it would be number 1 recommend everywhere..lol

[@zqhtpro]

@@joshuasterling2144 I agree

[@marenas32]

I have the DT880 600ohm headphones and have been looking for an amp to power them. I think I’m going to try this one out. Thanks Z nice review.

[@sp6450]

Just save up and buy a Flux Acoustics VOLOT. It's your end game amplifier.

[@0megalul309]

@@sp6450 better to get a new headphone for 2500 usd

[@tvih84]

@@sp6450 Nice trolling.

[@sp6450]

@@tvih84 If you could further elaborate how my comment is "trolling".

[@ktfjulien]

@@sp6450 It's trolling because your comment makes 0 sense. Why would someone with $200 headphones buy a $3000 amp? I feel like you didn't use your noggin before commenting

[@dougg1075]

Nice looking amp, kinda has that 70s clock radio vibe . I like it

[@jacotik]

Just wanted to point out that the amazon link isn't working. I just bought one from there, so I hope that you get a cut Zeos! Thanks for the review. Been looking for something like this since the Loxjie A30 is hard to come by.

[@ZReviews]

The Amazon link is just going to be a persistent thing on my videos now so people know to check amazon if they want to find a product there since it isn't always at time of video release. I think this one is only on Apos right now.

[@ilovehotdogs125790]

can you review the AIYIMA A08?

[@s3curityfr34k]

I've been somewhat unhappy with my MX3, as it's got quite the noticable hiss and the bluetooth cuts out when just putting your hand in between you phone and the unit. Does anyone know if that's gotten better?

[@DmitryFomin]

Freak it! I was going to buy just Topping PA3s after your video. And accidentally I clicked on this one - and, shit! tomorrow I shell go to spend two times more money on this :( Because I WANT IT NOW 😀

[@Fahrenheit38]

I already use a MX5 in my office and love it. Was thinking of getting another for my other setup. Has anything eles come out since this video was posted that's worth my consideration?

[@Xeltos]

So this is like a lower end Dx7 Pro? Seems pretty great for the price.

[@BasicYTUser]

Pretty sure this is still the MA12070 from the likes of SMSL AO200. If you scroll down on the Apos page, you will see the Merus Class D amp, that product picture, you'd see the chip is Eximo Merus MA12070. However, AO200 and Topping PA3s has dual amp chip instead of one, so there are more output power comparatively.

[@matthuston1767]

Buying this just for the sexy succubus stickerplacement.

[@JB-ol3xo]

“That’s a hentai demon”… “class D, the connotation”. This guy’s a fucking hero.

[@adamblakesowder]

Love the reviews, z you gotta tell me... lcdx 2021 or zmf auteur?? Help a brother out...

[@Pweber8888]

You can't connect them to active speakers unfortunately. Only found that out later 🙈

[@maierrazvandan]

Convinced me at "because of America!"

[@happytimeswithdave8670]

Great Review. Thinking in getting the one.

[@ciscomoto]

Wot No Subwoofer out 👀

[@Nuevo_El_Nagual]

I wish there is a sub-woofer out :(

[@juliangst]

just get subwoofers with a high level input or buy a converter

[@TechnicallyDude]

Maybe with the next firmware they could combine the coax in and sub out in same port, o had to use an external adapter to connect the sub.

[@juliangst]

@@TechnicallyDude I don’t think that it works that way internally because coax may be strictly digital

[@TheSynrgy1987]

a sub out + balanced headphone out + more physical contols = quite possibly the best.

[@jiusy23]

@@TheSynrgy1987 and balanced out and make it 200ish, sure 😁

[@michaelcorcoran8768]

Today I learned: ifi gryphon weighs the same as an LG v60. That thing is big.

[@DjVendetta]

Can’t wait till mine gets here.

[@JamesBYap]

Would you get this or the ifi zen dac v2?

[@TheNeilo-Audiosound]

Looks like it’s Time to upgrade my SMSL AD18 Current Amp I use in my bedroom to the Mazda MX5😜 Especially if it’s good to go with the DT880 600ohm which the AD18 Really struggles with. By the way Zeos or anyone who knows what’s the DT880 Pad upgrades your using?

[@theblackfurst4872]

While the MX5 is a very nice DAC I encountered many bugs with a Mac / Bluetooth setup muting constantly my playback. These are quite annoying. It works with my iPhone or via USB on my PC though.

[@RathOX]

Rx7 is next

[@TheeGrandPooBahh]

Z first of all, TY for the laughs and knowledge. New subscriber here! My old soundcard just died and now I need new amp/dac for my DT 770 250 ohm and my moon drop arias. Would this work good? My mother board has fiber output as well.

[@monamaier1965]

What is the power supply you are using for that review???

[@michabuszynski7326]

I Bought Arya Stelth + Topping Mx5 + QED Cables that I use with my Ps5 controller when i play. And it's awesome 👌 For more advanced I have question. In 1 year I might be able to afford upgrading to Topping D70s + Gustard H16. Many people say new Stealth lack soundstage. To fix it do You think the upgrade will make difference? If not what it will give me to spend more money for upgrade? Is it worth it ? Cheers...

[@darkaheart]

I waited this long for topping to fix the boom noise the mx3 makes when it shuts down while the subwoofer is on for them to remove the sub out on the mx5. Wow! At least they upgraded the headphone port instead of the cheap looking headphone port on the mx3. Do you guys know of a good alternative bc the Loxjie A30

[@mikez67]

I've now have a NAD AMP1 with WIIM connected, but DAC is crap, never use the Chromecast, so it is garbage. I want to go to MX5 and EX5 combo, Topping support already gave me the answer on automatic turn on/off, so WIIM Mini with Amazon HD will work, but can it hold my Dali Oberon 7 tower speakers? Do I need a other combo? And thanks Zeos for the good choice i made with Sivga Phoenix headphones after your review

[@geraldgambler7276]

this or zen dac?

[@Flixcer1404]

hope you also review dx3 pro+ soon

[@jshanks1001]

What do the red squares before your videos mean?

[@sameduden1]

Hi, Do you have a video or a recommandation on your ideal Hifi set-up? Which speakers and what amplifier? I have a budget of 10 000 $, and I really want to invest in a solid Hifi-setup for music in my living room. - Mathias

[@aceofspades6667]

Miata amp.. ND2 ftw !

[@chosen_none]

If my use for this was as a DAC/AMP for headphones, then is this worth the extra money over the iFi Zen Dac v2? Thanks

[@guiT39]

I have the same doubt.

[@mihai.9786]

How can I proper connect to pc for the best performance and use it with speakers from Yamaha and a pair of sennheiser he 660s2 ??

[@cosminandreicimpoesu461]

The MERUS amplifier chip is made by infineon and you can even get a raspberry pi hat with a MERUS amplifier.

[@cosminandreicimpoesu461]

For more Tech info you can gladly contact me.

[@hueythecat]

Could this be used with a ps5 or is it only uac2 usb connection?

[@lwdp74]

Wish I knew about this little while ago. Is it as good as a PA5? The MX5 is on sale for $250 now.

[@SudburyMan]

Takeaway from this... Zeos mentions 69 for volume 🤔😜

[@JWForce1059]

I have a weird setup in my home office and had been looking for something like this for a long time. Few to no options, or if everything else was right in a device, one thing would be wrong, like all the attachments you'd want but XLR was line out only. Ended up getting a Matrix mini-i pro 2

[@FreakPC]

11:49 fart, i just started watching and already want to know, is it better than the smsl ad18? never mind, no sub out, its crap. 25:34 please do. 27:30 boom

[@NotoriousRKB]

how does this compare to the SMSL-6 stack? Both are pretty much the same price

[@jiusy23]

as headphone stack prob SMSL would be a bit better, but not speaker amp

[@natevirtual]

You've become a clickbait channel. How many times are you going to say "one [insert here] to rule them all" about different audio devices? Seems to me that almost ALL devices are supposedly great to you, and you generally overhype everything. Why mislead your viewers unnecessarily? I'm genuinely asking.

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

Pre-outs for powered speakers ???

[@flikflak24]

Dø under how z would like jbl 4355 or 4351 speakers ( though probably not gonna happen with there Price tag)

[@1neohm]

review sony linkbuds pls

[@michaelcorcoran8768]

It's interesting. The Sony earbud with no ldac. But I guess that makes sense since it's an added expense and the codec would be lost on a product prioritizing ambient noise over sound quality.

[@michaelcorcoran8768]

Not to mention half the people that buy it probably use an iPhone which doesn't even have ldac. What kind of bizarre actually how many audiophile content creators use an iPhone. How on Earth can you test something with ldac or aptx?

[@TheJoker1200]

Meru the Succubus is Nice🤤👍

[@hugenbergerdesigns]

Is this able to be stacked with the A90 and D90? To have a dedicated DAC, headphone amp and speaker amp stack?

[@shogunsh0]

Meru from class-D...giggity

[@jonas_oja]

Anyone else wondering what the 🟥 are for in the video title?

[@ramblingrich3544]

would this be a good choice for the Krk gen 4 7s and the KRK sub ?

[@MakeKasprzak]

Dang. I love how this sounds, but my LG TV's jittery signal over TOSLINK causes sound to drop. Had no input problems with the MX3 or any other unit I've tried, but the MX5 audio cuts out randomly. 😭

[@valentinvalentin8916]

I had on mine same problem, after i contact topping service by email, they send me a firmware update to install and now everything it's working flawless. If you want, i can send you

[@michaelcorcoran8768]

The silver one appears to be sold out.

[@anoxia6878]

Merus is just the model name of an Infineon Class D chip. Nothing new, it's good old Infineon.

[@delecroixphoenix]

It can power DT880 600ohms, take my money

[@r00s.]

What pads are on the 880s?

[@samsid504]

Can I use it for my lsr 305 monitors which are already powered??? Thanks...

[@juliangst]

Is that an adjustable DC power supply? Where can I get this?

[@GundamGunpla]

MX5 or DX3 Pro+ better?

[@kake52]

could you do the topping dx3pro+

[@AppleMacFlip]

MX5 or DX7 pro? which one is better

[@lazerbwoi1212]

i recently bought one off shenzhen audio but i plugged it in and it says Err dc, anyone know what this means??

[@W412H34D]

This or Loxjie A30?

[@TareqASamra]

Oh wow, you still have those JBL 590s?

[@ZReviews]

Where would they go.. Like physically how would they go?

[@TareqASamra]

@@ZReviews magic, How do they hold out against other stuff nowadays? They are currently on sale for the usa online store. Still an easy rec nowadays with the 520 center?

[@AdeJohnson]

My Topping MX3 doesn't pick up headphones any more :/

[@kaesenwortham3005]

How can I use headphones with a 3.5mm jack on my dac that has a 1/4in input?

[@tajskipimp]

Is it enough 4 b&w 685?

[@JohnBog]

Is it better than the Loxjie A30?

[@aletius]

This vs the Loxjie A30?