EX5 is an extremely IEM friendly combo and you could use it directly with power amplifiers in a stereo setup, without the need of an active or passive power conditioner. This technology allows to enjoy high quality audio streams, as close as possible to the original studio recording. I really liked the SH-8S amp which wasn’t truly balanced so I’ll give the EX5 a pass for not having a different power output for the XLR jack. A few meters away and the signal was still going strong and only when I moved to the balcony, with several concrete walls in between, it started stuttering and losing some beats here and there. I would like to see less reliance on the remote for adjusting settings and a louder output volume near the 65+ volume range.

Topping DX5 Review — Headfonics Topping DX5 Review — Headfonics

The SH-6 has a single LED that was bright when I first used it but the manual tells you how to adjust its brightness which made that complaint go away.

Later on, I left its preamp duties to the Topping PRE90 or to a Benchmark HPA4, driving the same power amplifiers and loudspeakers. Not boring, clinical or artificial, this is carefully tuned to offer an analogue-like experience with some great factor of enjoyment and emotional depth. Shenzhenaudio and Topping have done a great job producing a very functional device with superb performance. If you own natural sounding transducers in headphone or speaker forms, then you’re completely safe from brightness and listening fatigue. Power switch and volume knob​I was surprised to see a power switch next to the standard PC power port.

Topping X ShenzhenAudio EX5 Review — Page 2 of 2 - Headfonics

As for subjective testing, I’ve went directly for its jaw and connected the most sensitive IEMs I have at my disposal. By default, it comes with Low-Gain enabled, but since it’s a noiseless amplifier, I recommend switching it to High-gain immediately as you are getting it and all your desktop headphones will be thankful for that. If you don’t care as much for soundstage with headphones – which is slightly exaggerated by the headphone community, then EX5 is an outstanding proposition as an entry-level converter that wouldn’t leave a hole in your pocket. EX5 might be using different op-amps, but it has the same working principle and some of the lowest noise floor ever recorded.The EX5 collab from Shenzhenaudio is also a good option and both products will be my go to recommendation for new audiophiles. The DX5 has a brand new design language with a more modern appearance than it's predecessor and is available in full black or a silver painted body with a black front face. As usual, there is plenty of foam surrounding the unit for a better protection and it wouldn’t be Topping if I wouldn’t spot their RC-15A remote control, that you can find from their entry to top-level units.