Vini darko
Major Contributor
Well they can't all be winners. Topping undoubtedly got better things in the works. Like that power amp for the pre90.
Yes, as far as I can tell, the PA3 and MX3 were both released in 2016, before all of the DACs and headphone amps that brought Topping into the mainstream. In terms of product evolution they're in a different era now.Well they can't all be winners. Topping undoubtedly got better things in the works. Like that power amp for the pre90.
.... they're in a different era now.
Perhaps the people from Topping who are saying these amps measure poorly were not working there when the amps were designed. If they released a brand new product with this performance, sure, I would agree with you.Not if they're still selling the poorly implemented stuff from that previous era ;-)
Brand matters. Topping's products from the last few years have mostly been very impressive indeed. That builds the brand, it instils confidence, reassures the consumer (especially important when the buyer & retailer are continents apart). To keep selling stuff they *know* is poor, on the back of more recently built reputation, is a risky game. They know how to build great products, and how to market them. I love my NX-1 and I love my D10, it is absolutely the perfect product for me, but that doesn't mean I have to carry a torch for these guys or defend them when they make something lame. What is this place, audio teen crush review?
Topping should spring for UL certification. For homeowners’ policies issued in the U.S., a fire caused by a non-UL certified device might not be covered. I know CE certification is fine in Europe, but it might not cut it for some insurers in the States.Markings don't mean much. Actual certifications do: https://www.tpdz.net/productinfo/398296.html
I can't fathom how they would have gotten certification of the amp without its supplied power supplies.
Perhaps the people from Topping who are saying these amps measure poorly were not working there when the amps were designed. If they released a brand new product with this performance, sure, I would agree with you.
That said, can you name a small form factor integrated amplifier with substantially better performance than the PA3 or MX3 in the $150 price range?
A well implemented, with decent power supply tpa3116 based amp should perform significantly better than this, maybe google them or I do believe their is one or two reviewed here. I don’t really have a model of reference on the top of my head. It shouldn’t cost more if I recall.Perhaps the people from Topping who are saying these amps measure poorly were not working there when the amps were designed. If they released a brand new product with this performance, sure, I would agree with you.
That said, can you name a small form factor integrated amplifier with substantially better performance than the PA3 or MX3 in the $150 price range?
Good call, and thanks for the reminder. I got this one confused with the Loxjie A30.That would be the Aiyima a07.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/aiyima-a07-tpa3255-review-amplifier.18984/
Looks like SMSL and Nobsound have a few TPA3116 models in the $33-55 range. Thanks for the heads-up.A well implemented, with decent power supply tpa3116 based amp should perform significantly better than this, maybe google them or I do believe their is one or two reviewed here. I don’t really have a model of reference on the top of my head. It shouldn’t cost more if I recall.
edit: For reference, you can look at the allo volt + reviewed here but here are many others, on amazon, all diy looking. the review says 2116 but it’s a typo/mistake. its 3116.
The I.AM.D v200 was once sold by Audiophonics and was liked by a small group at DIYAudio, but now seems to be available only via AliExpress and other Asian internet resellers. [Note: I just checked, and a "wi-fi" version of the v200 is currently available from Aufiophonice.] It is based on the Texas Instruments TAS5614LA amplifier, which was apparently introduced in 2012, and output power at 1%THD+N is stated as 65wpc. Max input voltage is 36vdc, so the 32V Topping SMPS bricks should power it properly without going over its voltage limit. Searching for "TAS5614LA" doesn't bring up much besides the I.AM.D v200/v200bt amplifiers, so I assume that it was either unpopular, or used in pedestrian consumer audio systems that don't mention the chip that they are based on. (Can any of our resident experts see what might limit this chip for HiFi applications, based on the TI spec sheet that I linked to above?)
What is this place, audio teen crush review?
That is a myth though. Houses burn down for many reasons including total incompetence of the owner, e.g. having old frayed power lamp cord, and insurance company still pays. That is what insurance is for. It pays for accidents. If you read your policy, you will see that there is no exclusion in these regards.Topping should spring for UL certification. For homeowners’ policies issued in the U.S., a fire caused by a non-UL certified device might not be covered.
they are quite power supply dependant, so look for a powerful brick, and if possible dual chip, or dual mono if you like. for this it should be a bit pricier than what you referGood call, and thanks for the reminder. I got this one confused with the Loxjie A30.
Looks like SMSL and Nobsound have a few TPA3116 models in the $33-55 range. Thanks for the heads-up.
Here's test results. We use resistance as load and test.
PA3(8ohm):
L: 56.51W(RMS), THD+N 0.99%
R: 56.58W(RMS), THD+N 1.01%
PA3(4ohm):
NA, because PA3 overheat before THD+N reach 1%
TP60(8ohm):
L: 68.30W(RMS), THD+N 1.01%
R: 68.70W(RMS), THD+N 1.06%
TP60(4ohm):
L: 54.54W(RMS), THD+N 1.02%
R: 55.08W(RMS), THD+N 1.05%
Due to individual differences, another product should be different from my test, but it will not be much different.
Best Regards!
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Hailin Huang
TOPPING sales manager
26th Jiaomen Road, Huangge Town, Nansha, Guangzhou, China
Zip code: 511455