# iFi Zen DAC 3 vs Topping DX5 II: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the iFi Zen DAC 3 (iFi Audio) and Topping DX5 II (Topping) among dac amps. iFi Zen DAC 3 is the cheaper of the two at $229.

## Side by side

| Spec | iFi Zen DAC 3 | Topping DX5 II |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $229 | $299 |
| Brand | iFi Audio | Topping |
| Form factor | desktop | desktop |
| Dac chip | Burr-Brown True Native | ES9039Q2M |
| Max pcm (kHz) | 768 | 768 |
| Max dsd | DSD512 | DSD512 |
| Max power mw | 300 | 6400 |
| Snr (dB) | 113 | 133 |
| Thdn percent | 0.005 | 0.00006 |
| Balanced output | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone jacks | 6.35mm/4.4mm | 6.35mm/4.4mm/4-pin XLR |
| Digital inputs | USB-C | USB/optical/coaxial/Bluetooth |
| Weight grams | 456 | — |

## Key differences

- Dac chip: iFi Zen DAC 3 Burr-Brown True Native vs Topping DX5 II ES9039Q2M
- Max power mw: iFi Zen DAC 3 300 vs Topping DX5 II 6400
- Snr (dB): iFi Zen DAC 3 113 vs Topping DX5 II 133
- Thdn percent: iFi Zen DAC 3 0.005 vs Topping DX5 II 0.00006
- Headphone jacks: iFi Zen DAC 3 6.35mm/4.4mm vs Topping DX5 II 6.35mm/4.4mm/4-pin XLR
- Digital inputs: iFi Zen DAC 3 USB-C vs Topping DX5 II USB/optical/coaxial/Bluetooth

## What reviewers say

**iFi Zen DAC 3** — Two whitelisted testers (TechRadar, What Hi-Fi) reviewed the exact iFi Zen DAC 3. Both praise its refined, detailed and spacious sound, flexible connectivity and the USB-B to USB-C upgrade. TechRadar is enthusiastic and rates it near-flawless value; What Hi-Fi is noticeably cooler, finding the sound smooth but lacking verve and punch and not a clear step up over the V2. Neither outlet published lab measurements. (2 sourced reviews.)

**Topping DX5 II** — Only one whitelisted tester, TechRadar, published a hands-on review of the exact Topping DX5 II. TechRadar rates it a near-excellent budget DAC/amp (verdict 'generally excellent'), praising its poised, detailed and dynamic sound, exemplary build and comprehensive specification at $299, while flagging a tendency toward top-end brightness. (1 sourced review.)

## Sources

- iFi Zen DAC 3: https://ifi-audio.com/products/zen-dac-3/ (ifi-audio.com, verified 2026-07-11)
- Topping DX5 II: https://www.topping.store/products/topping-dx5-ii-hi-res-dac-headphone-amp-combo (topping.store, verified 2026-07-11)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/dac-amps/ifi-zen-dac-3-vs-topping-dx5-ii/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, iFi Zen DAC 3 ($229) vs Topping DX5 II ($299) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/dac-amps/ifi-zen-dac-3-vs-topping-dx5-ii/
License: CC BY 4.0.