Topping LA90 Review (Integrated Amplifier)

[solderdude]

18V into 64 ohm = 5W.
Only 0.32A is required.

To reach those levels with the SP400 and A90 you would need to drive the Susvara balanced though, the LA90 can do this using the TRS jack.
Both the Topping and SP400 offer more versatility and do not require a speaker to headphone connector and are cheaper.

 

[Selkirks]

In a matter of days the LA90 has taken a dump. The amp is in protection mode (IN1 LED flashing twice). I followed all troubleshooting steps in the manual plus swapped speakers and source with no resolve. This happened when the amp was not being used. I noticed the LED went from solid to blinking from across the room. Im glad to have a spare amp as the LA90 is going back. What a shame.

 

[Vini darko]

In a matter of days the LA90 has taken a dump. The amp is in protection mode (IN1 LED flashing twice). I followed all troubleshooting steps in the manual plus swapped speakers and source with no resolve. This happened when the amp was not being used. I noticed the LED went from solid to blinking from across the room. Im glad to have a spare amp as the LA90 is going back. What a shame.

Nightmare. Are the speakers ok?
That's two out of three samples now with faults.

 

[solderdude]

A recurring theme it seems ... alas.

 

[jjmanda]

In a matter of days the LA90 has taken a dump. The amp is in protection mode (IN1 LED flashing twice). I followed all troubleshooting steps in the manual plus swapped speakers and source with no resolve. This happened when the amp was not being used. I noticed the LED went from solid to blinking from across the room. Im glad to have a spare amp as the LA90 is going back. What a shame.

Topping service had contacted me via email just this morning. So at their asking, I provided them videos of my situation. We'll see what they can find.

Apos has provided me an RMA, but I would like to see what Topping responds with before I actually send it back to Apos.

So at the least, both Apos and Topping are responding.

 

[Spocko]

While quite solid, you can pick it up with one hand. The small size is aided by a massive external switching power supply:
View attachment 202307

Here are its ratings:
View attachment 202309

The amplifier is not for everyone though. Power level is modest as compared to competitors. And you have that large external power supply.

I dare say, don't audiophiles pay EXTRA for an external/separated power supply??

 

[Spocko]

From complaints related to reliability, it appears that although Topping has figured out the science behind amplifier audio performance, it's time to put back those corners that were cut in order to hit the $800 price point - maybe at $999, the failed parts can be subsituted with better ones? Or is this a design failure that led to these QC issues that requires a "back to the drawing board" approach?

 

[Bleib]

From complaints related to reliability, it appears that although Topping has figured out the science behind amplifier audio performance, it's time to put back those corners that were cut in order to hit the $800 price point - maybe at $999, the failed parts can be subsituted with better ones? Or is this a design failure that led to these QC issues that requires a "back to the drawing board" approach?

We don't know yet if L90 has problems. We don't even know the rate of faults with Pa5 (mine is OK for two weeks at least).

 

[staticV3]

We do have a rough idea though, at least for the PA5:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...oll-for-topping-pa5-owners-only-please.33293/

 

[Bleib]

We do have a rough idea though, at least for the PA5:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...oll-for-topping-pa5-owners-only-please.33293/

Well, it's not L90 is it? And although I have a pa5 I have not voted on the poll, we don't know the participation rate in that poll either.

 

[IPunchCholla]

We do have a rough idea though, at least for the PA5:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...oll-for-topping-pa5-owners-only-please.33293/

That is in no way reliable for determining rate. The only thing you can say based on that poll is the number of people claiming to have had an issue. The failure rate could be 99%. It could be .001%. We have no way of knowing the relationship of reported failures to actual failures or units sold.

 

[staticV3]

? I never said that the info is definitive or reliable.
Not even Topping know the actual failure rate, since there could be any number of defective PA5 units laying around with owners that can't be bothered to RMA.

 

[pseudoid]

First Impressions of LA90

Thank you for your positive write-up that I had initially missed.

Topping service had contacted me via email just this morning. So at their asking, I provided them videos of my situation. We'll see what they can find.
Apos has provided me an RMA, but I would like to see what Topping responds with before I actually send it back to Apos.
So at the least, both Apos and Topping are responding.

I don't know who "Apos" is but your mention (and the existence) of a CustomerSupport function has legitimized Topping in my 'pecking order'.

 

[jjmanda]

I don't know who "Apos" is but your mention (and the existence) of a CustomerSupport function has legitimized Topping in my 'pecking order'.

Apos Audio. The retailer I purchased the LA90 from.

 

[IPunchCholla]

? I never said that the info is definitive or reliable.
Not even Topping know the actual failure rate, since there could be any number of defective PA5 units laying around with owners that can't be bothered to RMA

You said rough idea. We don’t even have that. I’m picking on this since there are two members here who are parroting it as truth and a major catastrophe. These same members have been leveling unsubstantiated claims against Topping products as well.

I am concerned by the reports of failures and the power switch issue presented here, but I want to be careful about creating hysteria and “truths” like happened with the Pinto and other vehicles that later research showed actually had no issues (or statically insignificant)

 

[eboleyn]

Does anyone have a measurement of the idle power of one of the LA90 units yet? I did a search and couldn't seem to find any comments on the thread about it.

 

[restorer-john]

Does anyone have a measurement of the idle power of one of the LA90 units yet? I did a search and couldn't seem to find any comments on the thread about it.

Ask @amirm nicely to plug his sample amplifier in, and measure the consumption after 15 mins of idling. Easy.

 

[Selkirks]

I got a response from Topping through the retailer (Aoshida Audio). They recommended I update the firmware and provided a link to the new file. The update went smoothly, but did nothing to resolve the issue. A return was initiated, now I'm out return shipping + duties/taxes for a defective product. Lesson learned.

 

[pma]

Nightmare. Are the speakers ok?
That's two out of three samples now with faults.

But imagine that SINAD happiness, though often not lasting too long with PA5 and possibly LA90.
Power amplifiers are not preamps, concerning the design rules.

I can accept some issues with these toy amplifiers that cost about $50 - $100. But these Topping toy amplifiers are overpriced ($400 - $900) and as we can see from user feedback they are unreliable. Who would care about SINAD then??

 

[Tusoli5]

Damn, there really is a gap between their engeneering and their build consistency we can see it through a wide range of their products on the whole forum as users give their feedbacks.
An audiophile component should be able to work several days/weeks /years under different loads without starting to show any problems. It should take years until its power buttons/ leds/ screens /power show any faulty situation.

Going for 800 to 1000$ price range when they were around 350$ (maximum on their whole products a few years ago) really starts to scream this kind of attention to their build quality.
This is also needed by their high level of engeneering and for the clients market they are aiming. They have to match their achievements through their build quality.
A strong reliability of the product is highly important just after its achievement to be able to enjoy its use for me to be able to buy it.
Otherwise it is pointless and trust in their company/products crumbles down no matter what their measurements quality can be.

How do you consider this side of their whole products? Are you ok with it anyway? How could topping show us that they can give a bettter reliability in their next products that will ensure us to enjoy their achievements?