Topping PA5 manual available here:
https://www.tpdz.net/newsinfo/575024.html
https://www.tpdz.net/newsinfo/575024.html
Amirm,
Just when I was happy with my setup, you go and post a review like this. Uuurrrrgh!
I may need to take up golf: it’s certainly cheaper than following ASR.
The good news: at least this Topping amp could keep me from doing something crazy like buying a Benchmark amp or Genelec speakers.
Seriously, combine this amp with a pair of Elac DBR62 Reference speakers along with a Topping E50 DAC and a RaspPi streamer and you have a true, audiophile level, world class system that would be an endgame system for most reasonable people. Total price: less than a thousand bucks. Simply amazing.
BTW, open this little black box, please, so we can see how and where the magic happens.
Most US folks are likely on Amazon.Where are you all buying from, apos?
Sorry, should have said "rotary encoder." That is, it is an analog pot, rather than a digital one with electronic (or mechanical) volume control.What is meant by "...and volume control is the traditional one (not rotary).", please ?
Measurements for other units were posted by others with similar performance. But I am happy to test another if someone wants to drop ship it to me.The performance matches all production units or this one was faulty ?
It should but you won't get maximum power unless the DAC can produce 2.5 volts (some can, most cannot).I only have rca output on DAC. Is it possible to DIY a rca to TRS balanced cable? Will this work?
Those things are huge if all you want is a desktop amp. The measured performance gap is also quite considerable. But if neither matters to you and said products have been measured by me so you know what their exact performance is, sure, you can opt for those.Am I the only the one to say that at 350 bucks, this thing is too expensive, no remote, limited power, only 2 sources..
At that price you can have a Nad or Denon integrated, much better looking, and sound differences would be minimal..
Hmmz. $459.00 in Canada + GST tax. I suppose if a person wants this package size and the specs this has they will pay the price of admission.Am I the only the one to say that at 350 bucks, this thing is too expensive, no remote, limited power, only 2 sources..
At that price you can have a Nad or Denon integrated, much better looking, and sound differences would be minimal..
Sorry, should have said "rotary encoder." That is, it is an analog pot, rather than a digital one with electronic (or mechanical) volume control.
So if you need a remote, you should use a DAC with such and leave the amp with fixed volume.
Nice results! The only thing I am not happy with is the distortion rise with frequency, especially at higher power. This would be more clear in a standard THD+N plot vs frequency at say 20W. Yes I can read it from THD+N plots vs amplitude at different frequencies but THD+N vs frequency is a standard measurement. Also standard is CCIF IMD 19+20kHz at say 1/4 of max power, as it clearly shows HF nonlinearity. Is there a reason why it is not tested at ASR, @amirm ?
There are plenty of RCA to TRS cables. Try amazon. Many are under $20 usd.I only have rca output on DAC. Is it possible to DIY a rca to TRS balanced cable? Will this work?
Thank you. Is it feeling heavy as you try to turn it...? You know that loaded feeling of the old "real thing"...Sorry, should have said "rotary encoder." That is, it is an analog pot, rather than a digital one with electronic (or mechanical) volume control.
You can see the same with multitone:It is definitely not bad but not in line with low noise and 1kHz distortion results. It indicates to worsening of linearity with frequency.
It has good feel but it is not the heavy, mass loaded volume controls of 1970s if that is what you are asking.Thank you. Is it feeling heavy as you try to turn it...? You know that loaded feeling of the old "real thing"...
Check Topping...Probably find a DAC for the price of a cable.I only have rca output on DAC. Is it possible to DIY a rca to TRS balanced cable? Will this work?
I promise I was deeply joking, on that I give my word.Measurements for other units were posted by others with similar performance. But I am happy to test another if someone wants to drop ship it to me.