Best Dac Amps · head-to-head

Topping DX5 II vs SMSL DO100

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. SMSL DO100 is cheaper at $239. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Topping DX5 II or SMSL DO100?

On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The SMSL DO100 is the cheaper at $239.

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Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Topping DX5 II SMSL DO100
US price $299 $239
BrandToppingSMSL
Released
Form factor desktop desktop
Dac chip ES9039Q2M ES9038Q2M
Max pcm (kHz) 768 768
Max dsd DSD512 DSD512
Max power mw 6400
Snr (dB) 133
Thdn percent 0.00006 0.00008
Balanced output Yes No
Headphone jacks 6.35mm/4.4mm/4-pin XLR none
Digital inputs USB/optical/coaxial/Bluetooth USB-C/optical/coaxial/Bluetooth
Weight grams

Sources — Topping DX5 II: topping.store (verified 2026-07-11). SMSL DO100: smsl-audio.com (verified 2026-07-11).

What's the difference between the Topping DX5 II and SMSL DO100?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 11). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Dac chip: Topping DX5 II ES9039Q2M vs SMSL DO100 ES9038Q2M
  • Thdn percent: Topping DX5 II 0.00006 vs SMSL DO100 0.00008
  • Balanced output: Topping DX5 II true vs SMSL DO100 false
  • Headphone jacks: Topping DX5 II 6.35mm/4.4mm/4-pin XLR vs SMSL DO100 none
  • Digital inputs: Topping DX5 II USB/optical/coaxial/Bluetooth vs SMSL DO100 USB-C/optical/coaxial/Bluetooth

What reviewers say

Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.

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, 1 lab-tested.)

Praised: Poised, spacious, detailed and dynamic sound with strong low-frequency control; Exemplary build and finish quality across black, silver and white options; Comprehensive specification and flexibility (DAC, preamp and headphone amp) at an aggressive $299 price.

Flagged: Treble can tend toward brightness/edginess, making it picky about partnering equipment; Supplied remote control handset feels less tactile and interesting than the unit itself.

SMSL DO100

No sourced tester review yet.

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