Shenzhen Audio And Topping Collab To Create The Topping EX5 DAC

Shenzhen Audio has teamed up with popular electronics brand Topping to create the Topping EX5 DAC. The EX5 is MQA capable and boasts dual ES9038Q2M DAC chips.

Here’s what we know so far in terms of features:

Dual ESS ES9038Q2M SABRE HIFI DAC Chips
Support DSD512 Native and PCM 768kHz
MQA Full Decoding via USB
2nd Generation 16 Core XMOS XU216
Bluetooth 5.0 LDAC transmission
THD+N as low as 0.00010%
4-PIN-XLR and 6.35mm Headphone Output
1300mW X2 Output Power
Less than 0.1-ohm Output Impedance
4 Output Mode Options
DAC + Preamp application/ Bluetooth receiver/Tablet and phone DAC application

This looks to be a great value DAC and the specifications suggest this would be an amazing DAC/amplifier for a mid-tier system. It has Bluetooth 5.0 with LDAC codec support (currently considered the best wireless audio codec), and Topping’s typical insanely good measurements.

The EX5 can be used as a pure DAC, a headphone amplifier or as a preamp connected to a power amplifier or active speakers. It has 4 output modes to choose from: headphone amp only, RCA output only, XLR output only and RCA+XLR output.

Connect the EX5 to your PC via USB or your phone/tablet via OTG or Bluetooth for a truly versatile stereo system. With a headphone output impedance of less than 0.1 ohms, the EX5 will be ideal for sensitive in-ear monitors but it also has the power to drive more demanding headphones.

Device attributes:
Measured: 17.4cm x 13.8cm x 4.5cm
Weight: 750g
Power input: 100-240VAC 50Hz/60Hz
Signal Input: USB/OPT/COAX/BT
Line Out output: RCA/XLR
Headphone Amp Output: 6.35mm/4-PIN-XLR