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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