Topping G5

[Tomm11]

What do you mean by unsupported charger? Shouldn't any charger be compatible with the g5?

As far as I know, G5 doesn't support any of the quick charge protocols. Just a standard 5V 1.2A capable USB charger. I am not aware of any list of supported or unsupported chargers. It will charge with any of the quick chargers but it just won't charge any faster. I have 3 chargers on the countertop where I usually charge my devices. I charge my G5 with whatever USB C cable I grab first. Might be a standard 5V 2A capable charger or my Anker 60W charger that uses the Anker IQ protocol which is supposed to fast charge just about anything or my generic quick charger which has PD and QC outputs. I haven't had an issue with using any of them to charge the G5.

I know there was an early review of the G5 here on the forum and, from memory, the reviewer stated that the G5 would only charge with a standard charger. It wouldn't charge with any of the fast chargers he had. I think we surmised that either the very early Topping G5's would only charge with a standard charger or that Topping addressed it with a firmware update. At any rate, as stated, I have had no issues charging my G5 with whatever USB charger I plug it in to. That's not to say that it's impossible to damage the G5 with any charger. Just sharing my experience with charging my G5 and my opinion that I don't think it will be damaged by a properly functioning USB charger regardless of the chargers rapid charging protocol ... as long as it's a universal charger and not some proprietary charger made for a specific device.

 

[fishda30]

As far as I know, G5 doesn't support any of the quick charge protocols. Just a standard 5V 1.2A capable USB charger. I am not aware of any list of supported or unsupported chargers. It will charge with any of the quick chargers but it just won't charge any faster. I have 3 chargers on the countertop where I usually charge my devices. I charge my G5 with whatever USB C cable I grab first. Might be a standard 5V 2A capable charger or my Anker 60W charger that uses the Anker IQ protocol which is supposed to fast charge just about anything or my generic quick charger which has PD and QC outputs. I haven't had an issue with using any of them to charge the G5.

I know there was an early review of the G5 here on the forum and, from memory, the reviewer stated that the G5 would only charge with a standard charger. It wouldn't charge with any of the fast chargers he had. I think we surmised that either the very early Topping G5's would only charge with a standard charger or that Topping addressed it with a firmware update. At any rate, as stated, I have had no issues charging my G5 with whatever USB charger I plug it in to. That's not to say that it's impossible to damage the G5 with any charger. Just sharing my experience with charging my G5 and my opinion that I don't think it will be damaged by a properly functioning USB charger regardless of the chargers rapid charging protocol.

Yeah. That's why i'm surprised that after charging the g5 with my phone charger it just stopped working. I only got to use the g5 1 time.

 

[HunqVux]

My device has been making strange, noises when being used in Bluetooth mode lately, I've never experienced this problem before. Has anyone encountered a similar problem?

 

[BbOO]

I used a usb c laptop charger when I should have used the charger that came with the device.

I always use my phone's Belkin charger and I've not had any issues so far...

 

[JeanPaul Petrosyan]

I used a usb c laptop charger when I should have used the charger that came with the device.

Are you referring to the USB cable? I don't think actual charger/power block is included in the package.

 

[navii]

I might have an early model but my unit is picky with what charger it will charge from.

 

[taipan254]

Are you referring to the USB cable? I don't think actual charger/power block is included in the package.

Yeah - you're right there's no included power brick. They just recommend standard iPhone-type chargers. My USB-C laptop charger definitely did something that caused the battery to be unresponsive, then, over time, increase in size. This in turn caused the battery to squeeze itself out of the enclosure. Pics below. You can see I can't lay the top enclosure back on. I did look for a replacement battery, but decided in the end it wasn't worth the effort and cost.

 

[Trae]

Laptop chargers usually output voltages much higher than the 5V the G5 requires. Let me know if you want to sell it.

 

[fishda30]

Yeah - you're right there's no included power brick. They just recommend standard iPhone-type chargers. My USB-C laptop charger definitely did something that caused the battery to be unresponsive, then, over time, increase in size. This in turn caused the battery to squeeze itself out of the enclosure. Pics below. You can see I can't lay the top enclosure back on. I did look for a replacement battery, but decided in the end it wasn't worth the effort and cost.

How did you open your g5? Were there screws underneath the pleather cover?

 

[navii]

Yeah - you're right there's no included power brick. They just recommend standard iPhone-type chargers. My USB-C laptop charger definitely did something that caused the battery to be unresponsive, then, over time, increase in size. This in turn caused the battery to squeeze itself out of the enclosure. Pics below. You can see I can't lay the top enclosure back on. I did look for a replacement battery, but decided in the end it wasn't worth the effort and cost.

Omg I just came in to complain that my battery has expanded and is pushing up on that fake leather back. I won't be buying a topping anything in the future.

 

[ThucHo1996]

I replaced the battery myself. It was quite straightforward. Here is step-by-step guideline: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/diy-topping-g5-battery-replacement.973593/

 

[Gatecrasher]

Hello all,
So I'm trying to upgrade the audio of my Steamdeck to be the best it can be, and still remain portable. With all things gaming audio it's all about imaging and soundstage, therefor I picked up a used pair of Sennheiser HD800 (non S), and to power the HD800 I got a Fiio KA17, as the KA17 is fully portable and I read should have enough power to push the HD800. However, when I connect the HD800 to my Schiit Magni/Modi stack the HD800 just sound more alive compared to the KA17. Yes the HD800 can go louder on the Schiit stack, but I mean the details the HD800 are known for can be heard better compared to the KA17 at the same volume, at least to my ear.

So now I'm wondering if the KA17 was never really able to push the HD800 to the HD800's abilities, I've read the HD800 are very susceptible to the AMP they are driven by, and I'm now wondering if I should step up the KA17 to the Topping G5 (or alternative like the XDUOO XD05 BAL2, or Fiio Q15).
Using a Deckmate attachment for my Steamdeck I can mount the G5 to the back of the deck, still making it portable. That being said, should I even expect the Topping G5, or the KA17, or any portable AMP/DAC to be capable of pushing the HD800 to the performance of my desktop Schiit stack?

The HD800's impedance is 300ohms

The KA17 power output is: 90mw + 90mw (300ohms) when in balanced desktop mode (I use a 4.4mm balanced cable and desktop mode)

The Topping G5 power output is: 175mw (300ohms) (I assume per channel but I can't seem to find that info)

So unless I misunderstand the G5 almost 2x the power output as the KA17. However, the Schiit Magni/Modi stack is 300 ohms: 415mW RMS per channel, well over each of the KA17 and the G5.

So basically, I ask, what are my best options in regards to a portable amp/dac that can power the HD800 like my Schiit stack can? Or am I just asking WAY to much from a portable amp/dac?

Thanks all.

 

[ThucHo1996]

Hello all,
So I'm trying to upgrade the audio of my Steamdeck to be the best it can be, and still remain portable. With all things gaming audio it's all about imaging and soundstage, therefor I picked up a used pair of Sennheiser HD800 (non S), and to power the HD800 I got a Fiio KA17, as the KA17 is fully portable and I read should have enough power to push the HD800. However, when I connect the HD800 to my Schiit Magni/Modi stack the HD800 just sound more alive compared to the KA17. Yes the HD800 can go louder on the Schiit stack, but I mean the details the HD800 are known for can be heard better compared to the KA17 at the same volume, at least to my ear.

So now I'm wondering if the KA17 was never really able to push the HD800 to the HD800's abilities, I've read the HD800 are very susceptible to the AMP they are driven by, and I'm now wondering if I should step up the KA17 to the Topping G5 (or alternative like the XDUOO XD05 BAL2, or Fiio Q15).
Using a Deckmate attachment for my Steamdeck I can mount the G5 to the back of the deck, still making it portable. That being said, should I even expect the Topping G5, or the KA17, or any portable AMP/DAC to be capable of pushing the HD800 to the performance of my desktop Schiit stack?

The HD800's impedance is 300ohms

The KA17 power output is: 90mw + 90mw (300ohms) when in balanced desktop mode (I use a 4.4mm balanced cable and desktop mode)

The Topping G5 power output is: 175mw (300ohms) (I assume per channel but I can't seem to find that info)

So unless I misunderstand the G5 almost 2x the power output as the KA17. However, the Schiit Magni/Modi stack is 300 ohms: 415mW RMS per channel, well over each of the KA17 and the G5.

So basically, I ask, what are my best options in regards to a portable amp/dac that can power the HD800 like my Schiit stack can? Or am I just asking WAY to much from a portable amp/dac?

Thanks all.

The G5 is single-ended on both 3.5 and 4.4 outputs. The 4.4 output is just for convenience. The G5 drives my trusty HD600 (also 300 ohms) fine with the volume at 2 o'clock but not amazingly in comparison to my S9C Pro. This is mostly due to the G5's sound signature: great detail but very dry and flat. The soundstage is also not great, but at this price point, no portable unit has a good soundstage.

 

[Idahodoc]

Hey there! I am weighing in because I think I have a simple semi-solution to the battery charging issue. I also was very frustrated to find out that that the G5 does not give any indication of state of charge except for being nearly empty. So, while my work around is not super convenient (like built in indications!!!), it at least can give you an idea of when the unit is fully charged.

Normally, when I put it on a charger the green light goes on, and it stays on! I have no idea when it has received enough electricity to have fully charged it. So…I realized that one of my charging cables has a wattage LED indicator on it depicting the amount of charging current being applied. Usually it is just an extra bit of info, but in this case it is very, very useful. What I found is using a modest charger the G5 will draw 5W of power, not surprising. But as it approaches fully charged the wattage will steadily drop and eventually will get to zero. At that point I reckon it is full! Anyway, something to think of. I will attach a picture below. It has greatly simplified my use of the G5, and now use the cable to charge, and see when I can remove it for use.

The brand is XKCZ, from Amazon. I have one rated for 65W and an updated 240W version is coming. With all the discussion on destroying the G5 with overcurrent, this would provide a little safety factor as well.

BTW, the G5 IS a very sweet DAC/AMP! It is easily my favorite, and even slightly exceeds my iFi Gryphon. They are different animals, but if your IEM or headphone doesn't need EQ or bass boost, I go with the G5, otherwise the Gryphon.

Cheers!

SD

https://www.amazon.com/XKCZ-Wattage...d=1747097450&sprefix=XKCZ,aps,140&sr=8-4&th=1