🟥Topping + Shenzhen EX5 _(Z Reviews)_ 🎃Happy Halloween🎃

[@ZReviews]

🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃 B O O 🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃 🎃www.SubscribeStar.com/Zeos -- Subscribe Star 🎃www.Patreon.com/Zeos -- Check out the Patreon

[@danielthakorlal9425]

I'm still rockin' the topping mx3. Great, affordable device, never have to unplug my headphones!

[@larryeckerdt9750]

I use MX-3 to drive my NHT Super Ones TV speakers. Works great for years!

[@ChrisPBacon-fx3ut]

Wish it was still in stock, but I am planning on buying the dx3 pro+ now.

[@franklinlora7380]

I just bought the EX5, this thing sound amazing! There's something new about the sound, the music sound clearer, cleaner, detailed, and much more dynamic than fiio k5 pro. I compared both units and this EX5 sound better to my ears. My Audio Technica AWAS headphone now sounds much more detailed. I wasn't a believer of "this dac sounds better" but I gave it a try and OMG, I hear a difference between this one and my previous one.

[@ObeyaCorpsArmory]

I notice a big difference in clarity coming from Sound Blaster AE-5+ to EX5... thought that this purchase (for replacing the dead soundcard) wouldnt be worth it but its definitely an upgrade for me.

[@franklinlora7380]

@@ObeyaCorpsArmory Absolutely. But FYI I'm going to return the EX5 and I'm getting the E50 DAC and A90 Amp. I got a nice deal on Amazon for the A90. Used-like new for 323 dollars...at that price the A90 is unbeatable. I really don't need the a90 now, but in the future I'm planning to get a planar headphone, a really nice one so with this I'm ready for whatever I buy. I just want to have the power.

[@Sonnacs]

I use my Topping Dx7 Pro currently and it's perfect for what I need. Handles my Ether CX and HD 800 S and gets plenty loud enough for me. Topping makes some great stuff.

[@robertoruizantonetti6385]

I had a DX 7 Pro with Burson op amps. I gave it to my Mailman before I left to Puerto Rico 🇵🇷. I also gave him my Phillips Fidelio X2 HR, trying to start the next generation of audiophiles on the right path.

[@grandmasteraj855]

I want a volume knob that feels like opening a safe. Big hefty hard to turn fees like it has grease in the mechanism but clicks. Ohhhhh yeah.

[@Reeeepicheep]

I felt that in the beginning. RIP Zeos’ hearing

[@JasonDkiran]

Happy Halloween my dude!

[@The-Foreigner]

Mine came in early. This is my second dac this past week I also have the ifi zen dac V2 I am using. Great review! I can't hear any difference on the filters like you said. I have tried it with usb and optical in. I had them outputted to my V-moda CF M100 and Drop Hifiman HE 4xx headphones using the 6,3mm input. I also outputted them by rca to my Peachtree M24 speakers. I tried listening will I played music, movies, and straight up talking reviews. I could not here any difference at all. If it is that subtle of a change where I have to strain really hard to hear the difference, I won't be able to pick it up. I would have rather had a dsp or treble and bass settings that worked over some smoking mirrors. As much as topping comes out with new things, it would be nice to have a firmware update that could actually fix this problem. I feel they are stretching at the price of $349. It sounds clean. But I am thinking a price of $299 justified more than the $349. Don't get me wrong I love the unit. I am keeping it.

[@jonathanluttrell1380]

Hopefully they send you the E50+L50 stack to try next. Topping in the ASR review for the EX5 said the amplifier section was the single-ended amp from the L30 and the XLR was just for convenience.

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

there's a lot of funny parallels between Shenzhen's hi-fi and vape accessory industries. if you're exposed to both then you can't not see the odd similarities

[@damjanmozetic]

I am using the D30 Pro + A30 Pro combo for a couple of months now and I'm a happy man.

[@igorzovko5854]

What headphones you use ?

[@damjanmozetic]

@@igorzovko5854 Sennheiser HD660s and Ollo S4X

[@deafno]

1:54 There's actually Topping DX3 Pro that is very very capable for 200$.

[@JisMortal]

Yo Z, Drop dropped the price of the THX AAA One amp again, Down to $150.

[@dazzlerweb]

ah, 2 hi-res stickers, must be good, lol

[@attilathehun79]

If the functions are the same as on the DX3 Pro, than by double tapping the volume nob, you can change the output from headphones to pre out to line out, but yeah you can't mute it without the remote.

[@ZReviews]

Now I have to know if this works.

[@attilathehun79]

@@ZReviews What I really would like to know if the DX7 Pro has the same feature where you can use both output the same time so I can connect my monitors with XLR and my Sub with RCA.

[@CypherAod]

@@attilathehun79 I have the DX7 Pro - It can indeed output to XLR and RCA at the same time

[@attilathehun79]

@@CypherAod Thank you.

[@ronniethornton8548]

I can tell the difference in filters with the lg g8 and fiio q3 - fiio q3 default filter is a dead center natural sound and second filter is a spacier airier less natural sound

[@Michael_mki233]

I believe the amp that you were trying to find the name of is the HeadAmp GSX-Mini.

[@swiftshinobi8337]

Become a 90's DJ with 5 kph30is on you for Halloween Zeos

[@Nottin2lose]

Pls.. recommended me what’s powered speakers i should buy to combos w/topping EX5

[@Tidwillshare]

Sup Z! I got the balanced Hemps and they sound pretty much the same. They are not really picky. If you ever mod them, do it for the cable, not for the sound.

[@northdakotabeast1547]

Thank you for pulling out the Poseidons :)

[@EclipseCircle]

Drop currently has the EX5 on sale for $245.

[@Sporting1210]

*coughs Asgard 3 *coughs*

[@berendvanderheijden]

If I already have the A30 Pro and have yet to buy a Dac to go along with it. Would it be worth it getting this instead of the D30 Pro considering it costs less and has Bluetooth.

[@MakerManu]

Please Review topping DX3 pro+

[@Phillisteum]

Great review, thank you. To feed powered speakers in the living room, how does this fair against the Aune X8 VIII Magic DAC?

[@Default_Defect]

22:47 Right now I have the Atom Amp+

[@louisczar6483]

using the topping ex5 with a drop x thx aaa 789 for my amp, currently using a pair of hd650's.

[@wes008pwns]

You ever see an amp/headphone/speaker that's exactly what you need? This is that for me.

[@g-mail4743]

topping mx5

[@weiyanzheng7248]

🎃Happy Halloween🎃

[@-_-Raziel]

Hey Zeos i have a couple of Pioneer SP-FS52 from Andrew Jones... And a 15 inch subwoofer... Been running them with a topping mx3 that I use for my headphones... But I need a new dac amp good enough for those speaker that run at 130w 6ohms. Been thinking on something like SMSL SA300. Need just optical, Bluetooth 5 and decent power.... Haven't found anything interesting... Any help? Thanks in advance!

[@pvtghost24]

I have a pair of VERY rare Sony MDR-XB1000 headphones. WIth proper power, they sound QUITE good for their price. In the early 2010s I think I paid around 300-400 USD. I'll add here that they use 70mm drivers, and are probably one of the biggest set of head cans you'll ever see. Want to FEEL like you're in a lounge listening to a Jazz trio? Z Reviews, if you can manage to get your hands on a pair, I'm curious to hear your review.

[@koszyklbn]

There is new DX3 Pro+, just saying... :)

[@mateusbernardi7164]

I know it's early, but... Fiio K9 pro soon?

[@dragons_advocate]

I was thrilled to get my Zen DAC after Z and countless other recommended it to high heaven, but I have nothing but issues with it. For starters, it does not respect Windows volume settings, making it a pain to use i conjunction with a speaker amp (Have to unplug headphones before switching if output is set to variable); The RCA line out volume is so damn high, it clips the HiFi receiver I use as a speaker amp (I tried both my Yamaha and an older Onkyo); The unit locks up every now and again when unplugging the pentaconn connector (which I have to do because see above), which is when we discover that it is a stupid choice to not have an on/off-switch; And to put the cherry on top, as Z mentions here, requires a bunch of potentially expensive and/or unreliable adapters if you already have a more common type of cable. Also, did I mention *it does not respect Windows volume setting*? This is a royal pain for my use case, and if raised towards iFi, one is treated with disrespect if not essentially ignored ("The device is designed to work this way" - Yes, and this design S-U-C-K-S!) The only thing going for it is that it sounds really good for the price. But I intend to save up to replace it soon.

[@ZReviews]

wait you want the knob to change the windows digital volume?

[@dragons_advocate]

@@ZReviews No, of course not. The Zen DAC *ignores* Windows volume, meaning it goes 100% all the time. Lowering the volumne of any app is fine, just not the overall volume control via the OS.

[@miagi1337]

@@dragons_advocate That doesn't make much sense. Check if you have a bluetooth device or something interrupting or a problem with your usb-port/cable that creates a very short disconnect. What I can imagine is that after a connect windows volume gets set to 100%. I have Bluetooth-Adapters that do this.

[@slankbot2]

😊

[@TheJAMF]

Gets flashbacks to playing with 27MC (CB radio).

[@larryeckerdt9750]

When I listen to jazz, I use the menthol filter, because it’s cooler…

[@fishballrox]

I’m getting confused, on which topping amp I should get. A30 pro or

[@tcc5750]

Nice wallpaper

[@rydang5]

I upgraded from the topping mx3 to the loxjie A30. Now you have me wanting to upgrade again…….

[@joeydelmarsjr.646]

what did you move to a basement? no longer at the apartment?

[@CROSSFADEEDAFE]

Did he forget about the Topping MX3? SMSL AD18? Enough on the market for DAC/AMP combos.

[@ZReviews]

Eh those are Speaker amps tho. Yes they can do dac and headphone duty but its more of an extra ability not a replacement for pure DAC/HEADPHONE AMP stuff

[@JStefanA]

Zeos you keep on forgetting stuff. Where's the Shure SRH 840 and the Topping DX7 Pro?

[@raybbo]

My current (and by far favorite) stack is IFY zen dac2 and JDS labs atom amp

[@lognarez7546]

Hello, do you recommend the Superlux HD681? (No EVO version). Thanks for your videos!

[@beezlebub3955]

On my Q3, I can hear a difference of a slight slight sparkle on some songs, it really piqued my interest, I always thought low/high pass filters were bs, especially on my old shitty 150$ car head units. Never got any head from them, worthless…

[@deadmankino]

Nice.

[@manu_le_maboul]

Spooky statement: The improvement in crosstalk from a balanced output is way below the hearing threshold.

[@aceofspades6667]

Because the Grado’s make me cry.... I only wanna be with you...

[@joeydelmarsjr.646]

what Dacs have LDAC or the best bluetooth bandwidth and has a remote that you can use to skip songs via spotify when connected to bluetooth?????

[@palmscooterist9808]

Topping ex5 vs zen dac v2, which one has better sound? Which one would you recommend me to buy?

[@chrisstella210]

You forgot Qustyle 400i and 800 are very good AIO's great DAC's Hp section a little under powerded

[@ZReviews]

Are they even around anymore?

[@SudburyMan]

So.. for those of us wondering... Have you or will you make a video going over those rack builds?? I just picked up a 42U rack and starting out.

[@ZReviews]

Buy shelves. Stack until you are happy.

[@SudburyMan]

@@ZReviews 😎😎😎

[@lyledurand]

Happy Halloween Zman

[@rahulghadge7]

Topping EX-5 vs SMSL SU-9 vs Loxijie A30 ? which should I get? i want to pair this with the FX-80s

[@CakeSublime]

What if I got this and used it for my Focal Clears/HD560S/58X/K712 pro. Since it has 'balanced out' I could get the Xduoo-604 tube hybrid amp and use that for HD800S. Good setup?

[@owenheintz3117]

This question might be stupid but does the Bluetooth support output and input?

[@KindredGh0st]

Why doesn't this amp go to 110?

[@maxphangss]

So what if, just what if, we used 4pin mini xlr for balanced plugs?

[@dragons_advocate]

If that happens I am ahead, because I already bought some 4pin mini xlr by mistake (when I made a custom 4pin-XLR to 2.5 adapter)

[@daveelgee2008]

Excellent review (as usual). You have probably just changed my mind on my Christmas purchase, however, would you be able to tell whether it can be used as a pre-amp for the Xduoo M604? Thank you.

[@pauld4238]

I’ve been debating in the Zen DAC V2 or a schiit stack. If Z says the Zen is in his top 5 combo units, that’s my choice then. Since it’s a preamp, I’ll need powered speakers to use with it for those non-headphone times? It won’t be able to drive passive bookshelf speakers, right?

[@funcionyforma]

It won't. It just allow rca line out to powered speakers

[@pauld4238]

@@funcionyforma thanks. And that’s fine, there’s perfectly good active speakers with rca inputs.

[@yogiwp_]

Aune X1s GT!

[@chef_moquin9535]

I have the mx3 and was looking for an upgrade (higher quality sound) and was thinking of this or either a ifi zen and can stack. Any recommendations or if its even worth the upgrade?

[@Jordonater]

get this or DX3 Pro+. Never let anyone tell you BS and only believe in science then you'll be happy and on a budget too.

[@larskramer3348]

Questyle cma600i...?

[@forge5435]

is there a reason to get the dx7 pro over this still?

[@bossusa365]

It’s $245 on drop

[@sandys-channel]

worth the upgrade from a fiio e10k?

[@douglasds7265]

Can EX5 run Hifiman HE400SE?

[@BlackgoldTwinduck]

this or the Topping dx7 pro?

[@samyg123]

Do you no longer rec the DX7 pro?

[@samyg123]

@@wedgoku I was thinking the same, but then he talks about the Neo & DA-Art which go for 100-200 more than the DX7 pro

[@kcmichaelm]

He hasn’t mentioned it in a while, likely for price. It’s been my daily driver for almost 2 years and I still love it.

[@samyg123]

@@kcmichaelm maybe…do you use it with any sensitive IEMs?

[@cotc4x153]

A combo unit you forgot is the xduoo ta-10 or the ta-10r; It's the unit I started with cause it had a decent enough dac to allow me to buy other components and change the dac only once I figured the rest out. Granted, it is a tube amp, the others you showed were solid state but still a worthy mention I believe

[@JM-sn5eb]

This one or a50s d50s stack?

[@RENERIZER]

I thought you recommended th SMSL M500 also?

[@ZReviews]

I have, its been a while and I can add that to the list.

[@robertkirkpatrick1826]

This vs the ifi zen blue?

[@16ton7]

Can someone please explain to me what "balanced" is and why it is important. I have no idea what a balanced output is

[@koerel]

Instead of 3 conductors with left signal, right signal and a shared ground you have 4 conductors: L+, L-, R+ and R-. L- and R- could potentially just be separate grounds, but that is not true balanced. For true balanced output L- should be the same same signal as L+ but inverted, and R- should be R+ inverted. That way, any interference that affects for example L+ and L- equally will cancel out, since the signal that will actually drive the headphone will be the voltage difference between those two. Benefits of balanced are less crosstalk, less sensitivity to EM interference and probably most important of all for headphones: more power.

[@funcionyforma]

@@koerel best sumary ever

[@rezaestacio3445]

This vs loxjie a30?

[@ZReviews]

You pushing passive speakers? Because that would be why you get the Loxjie.

[@whyareyouherelol24]

Where do you get your cables from?

[@ZReviews]

The Source cables are Worlds Best and the headphone cables vary. Hart audio

[@ccnp2009]

Z what's the best digital interface would you recommend to connect to your gaming PC?

[@defchris41]

ifi is $189 now

[@ZReviews]

I think the chip shortage is causing a lot of issues

[@locoism1025]

How did you forget the Fiio K5 Pro??

[@ZReviews]

quite easily, it never blew my socks off

[@locoism1025]

@@ZReviews It offers the optical port... which I needed. It actually covers many ports, unlike the other Dac's for the price, but I agree that others may sound better... by the way, are you reviewing the Ka3?

[@16ton7]

🤣 ok nevermind I didn't make it far enough into the vid.

[@TheAndrelopez123]

Do you have the dt 900 pro x? I'm currently waiting for a review before I think of buying sundaras

[@iliketohideincloset]

But does it go to eleven?

[@KindredGh0st]

Damn... you beat me to it!

[@cezarlixeanu]

69, nice

[@Alvedrotten]

69 ey 😏

[@olegknowsbest4971]

Why all the swearing... getting really old.

[@ZReviews]

Im from New York. It only gets worse as we age.