Thanks, Petros, for your comprehensive review. This is no doubt a no-nonsense entry level DAC/Amp, as I can attest being the owner of the previous AKM version.

Thank you very much.
Yes indeed and the ESS version is slightly more technical than the previous edition.

Hi. Can someone please advise me on config for this. I have just ordered and am not sure what cables to get.

I'll connect pc motherboard via USB to the USB input. I have the presonus eris 3.5 for the rca line out.

A pair of akg k702s for the headphone output.

I also have an LG v40 that I want to use as a secondary input source using the dac in the k5 Pro.

I don't understand however how to choose what you want the k5 Pro to do in terms of internal dac/no dac. I'm guessing that the USB input uses the k5 pro dac, so I can listen to my monitors or AKGs with the pc as a source. But what about when I use the phone as a source - can I just use the rca line in from the 3.5mm headphone jack or the coaxial in from the phone? Or will that use the phone's internal dac and use the k5 just as an amp? Not a disaster as the dac is decent but I want to maximise quality.

So will this work please or do I need to set up a USB switch for the USB input to switch between sources?

Thanks a lot!

I don't think that your phone supports coaxial out.
If you want to use your phone as a digital source only then you have to connect it to the K5 PRO USB input by the means of a USB type C to B cable.

Thanks. I was thinking that may be the case. I have seen USB to digit coaxial cables though. Not sure if it will work. Cheers.

It will not work, just use a USB C to B cable.

Thanks. I will connect the phone via USB. I have bought a USB c to toslink convertor from the pc to the optical toslink in. Amazon so if it doesn't work it can go back. Thanks!

Thanks, I was looking at this and how it compared to the zen dac. Obviously this has way more power but do you think more headroom will affect dynamics or sound quality? I'm using a hd650 btw.

Thank you, I have been using it with the 650 with great results.
Fast, clear and engaging sound with great dynamics and headroom even at mid gain.
Much better amplifier performance than the Zen DAC, the amp performance is comparable to the Zen Can.