Topping L30 II Review (Headphone Amp)

[Bow_Wazoo]

I still don't think I understand this graph ..
Could someone explain it to me again?

Which position on the volume control is optimal, and which is the one with the largest deviation?
Can I do this test with a two channel oscilloscope?

 

[staticV3]

@Bow_Wazoo
x-axis: Time in seconds as Amir slowly turns the knob CCW
left y-axis: output volume in dB
right y-axis: channel imbalance in dB

dark red: DUT channel 1 volume
light red: DUT channel 2 volume
blue dotted: difference between the two channels

This graph shows that channel matching is ok to about -35dB, except for some minor blips at -12 and -27dB.
Below -35dB attenuation, channel matching gets out of hand, so you'll hear obvious imbalance.

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

so ideally I move in the last quarter?!

 

[staticV3]

so ideally I move in the last quarter?!

Yes. On Amps with analog volume pots, channel imbalance is always lowest close to Max volume.
If you want to get rid of channel imbalance altogether, then look for an Amp with relay attenuator (A10h, A90D), or a DAC+Amp with digital volume control (Fiio K3, DX3Pro+, etc)

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

Of course, the question arises why Topping has chosen an analog potentiometer for the L30.
For cost reasons can hardly be (DX3PRO costs almost as much).
I think I will manage to stay at the last quarter.
I have to play in the Neutron player, anyway with the preamp, because EQ.
And the gain switches there are also still

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

Wouldn't it help to install a high quality Alps?
Does anyone know what was installed in the L30 II?

 

[Zek]

Wouldn't it help to install a high quality Alps?

If it can physically fit, it is better to install some DACT type potentiometer.

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

Something like that here?

DAC T Type SMD Stepped Attenuator 21 step volume control 20k Potentiometer HIFI | eBay

This item is DAC T Type SMD 21 Stepped Attenuator 20K ( Audio Log Type / stereo ). thread Dia 6.5 mm. thread length 7 mm approximate. short before break Type. whole shaft length 20 mm.

www.ebay.de

We have someone from Topping here, don't we?
He can surely say what kind of poti is installed.

@JohnYang1997

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

Under these conditions, the question arises anyway, whether it is not better to turn up the volume knob fully, and the volume via the Neutron player controls.

 

[raif71]

I did test both outputs of the HP AMP. It started to clip and L30 II protection mode kicked in. Sound stops only when gaming and I guess it's some saturation of my tube amp or the L30 II.

I tested a moment ago pre-in and didn't like the sound. Bass was weak. I'll test later if it works better with games. It's annoying to use the volume knob because it's too far away from me.

 

[raif71]

In Med gain, same knob position should give you the same volume (both have unity gain)
In High gain, same knob position should result in 7dB higher volume on the II (60% louder), unless Topping changed the pot.

Reply

In that case, I will double check the volume levels again @high gain, this time using a switcher to switch between amps...

Ok...(still not using switcher), this time I set volume at 2 o'clock on L30 and it's loud.... on same position on L30II, I can feel a bit of pain hearing the track, so I conclude that L30II is louder than L30 (duhh). I was assuming that on all gains, L30II should be louder but I guess this not to be the case ... Just @high gain, it is only louder

 

[staticV3]

I was assuming that on all gains, L30II should be louder but I guess this not to be the case ... Just @high gain, it is only louder

and on low gain, it is quieter

 

[danadam]

Max Richter - Cradle to the Grave

I actually have no idea, but that track caused my A90 to pull around 28W from the wall on DCA Stealth per my cheap-o wattmeter. nothing else has ever come close

Nice (from youtube). That's almost full scale 28 Hz.

 

[audiotron]

Great amp the only issue is that it gets too hot. The sound is amazing!

 

[half_dog]

Nice (from youtube). That's almost full scale 28 Hz.
View attachment 224635

This track makes my HD280PRO rumble in a way even my 12in sub can't do cause of its amp limiter.

 

[raif71]

Great amp the only issue is that it gets too hot. The sound is amazing!

What iem/headphone/speakers are u using with the amp?

 

[Bleib]

It gets hot even when it's just turned on just like the first version

 

[audiotron]

What iem/headphone/speakers are u using with the amp?

AKG K371 and as preamp. It actually shutdown a couple times because of max volume in preamp mode.

 

[tomelex]

Chord blimey governor.. , what performance.

Value for money mate

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

Does a P50 make sense in conjunction with the E30/ L30?