Best bang for the buck amp

[simplywyn]

My Topping A90D just went kaput, and having to go through back and forth with shenzhenaudio is a headache.

I don't believe headphone amps make a huge difference, is there a best bang for the buck headphone amp that has basically all the connectivity of the Topping a90D (amp, and preamp features) but at a fraction of the price?

 

[dartinbout]

I've got an A90 I'm not using. DM me with an offer and I'll ship it soon.

 

[Sokel]

That's less than 2 yo model,isn't there a warranty?
What happened to it?

 

[dan_uk]

Typical Topping.

 

[dartinbout]

Typical Topping.

I can only report my oswn experience. I've got 6 Topping devices. The only problem I ever had was of my own making. I was swapping opamps (before I discovered ASR). I ham fisted the connected ribbon connector from the front plate to the PCB. Other then that, I've had nothing but wonderful experience with these devices.

 

[dan_uk]

I can only report my oswn experience. I've got 6 Topping devices. The only problem I ever had was of my own making. I was swapping opamps (before I discovered ASR). I ham fisted the connected ribbon connector from the front plate to the PCB. Other then that, I've had nothing but wonderful experience with these devices.

Plenty of threads on here around their unreliability tho... I've only had one device, LA90D, had to send that back but it made me more aware of the various chat around issues.

 

[dartinbout]

Plenty of threads on here around their unreliability tho... I've only had one device, LA90D, had to send that back but it made me more aware of the various chat around issues.

Isn't that the nature of technical forums, people only post when they have problems. Therefore readers can get a skewed overall sample. I only chimed in here to raise a flag as a very happy Topping customer. I'm sure I represent a significant portion of members. However, I would never buy directly from mainline China, as Amazon, Apos and others have excellent return policies. Apos, particularly, has treated me very well with a return of a couple of expensive devices, long after their purchase.

I count the DM7 as an absolute game changing device, in my setup. I also must sing the praises of the A90D with the Ext. allowing 3 balanced and 1 unbalanced input.

These are amazing devices for their price. As for problems with reliablity, for the performance and unique abilites, I'm more then willing to take these risks.

 

[dan_uk]

Isn't that the nature of technical forums, people only post when they have problems. Therefore readers can get a skewed overall sample. I only chimed in here to raise a flag as a very happy Topping customer. I'm sure I represent a significant portion of members. However, I would never buy directly from mainline China, as Amazon, Apos and others have excellent return policies. Apos, particularly, has treated me very well with a return of a couple of expensive devices, long after their purchase.

I count the DM7 as an absolute game changing device, in my setup. I also must sing the praises of the A90D with the Ext. allowing 3 balanced and 1 unbalanced input.

These are amazing devices for their price. As for problems with reliablity, for the performance and unique abilites, I'm more then willing to take these risks.

I wasn't really referring to technical issues, more faults. This thread here highlights it quite well with a poll, exactly 50% of people have had faults, that's crazy high - https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...f-the-topping-la90d.45005/page-3#post-1691617

 

[dartinbout]

I wasn't really referring to technical issues, more faults. This thread here highlights it quite well with a poll, exactly 50% of people have had faults, that's crazy high - https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...f-the-topping-la90d.45005/page-3#post-1691617

That's 50% of the people who took the poll. That isn't 50% of the people who purchased it. I'm not defending Topping imperfect La90d as it was obviously problematic, I'm just not convinced it indicts the entire prodcuct line of Topping devices. This appears to be your "hobby horse" to canter throught the thread. Misinterpreting data is a common problem. All conclusions don't warrant a leap 8*)

 

[AnalogSteph]

is there a best bang for the buck headphone amp that has basically all the connectivity of the Topping a90D (amp, and preamp features) but at a fraction of the price?

Schiit Midgard? It's the preamp + balanced I/O + no DAC combo that makes selection a bit tricky.

 

[simplywyn]

That's less than 2 yo model,isn't there a warranty?
What happened to it?

-5 error, it's only been one year. Should I contact Topping?

 

[Sokel]

-5 error, it's only been one year. Should I contact Topping?

By all means.Thar's what warranty is for.
Point them to the thread as well for info.

 

[DSJR]

Schiit Midgard? It's the preamp + balanced I/O + no DAC combo that makes selection a bit tricky.

I was going to ask if Schiit had anything suitable? I've only just got my head around the models introduced two years ago (!!!) but they've done some interesting changes recently which means a few new models and as far as I know, they will service any faults that may develop. I believe the UK distributor can do the same, although they seem to sell out quite quickly still.