First listening impression of Topping pa5.

[WonkyDonkey]

It will power them exactly as well as any other 50W @ 8Ohm/80W @ 4Ohm amplifier.

As a rough calculation and using Polks quoted minimum impedance of 3.8Ohms, then at a 13m/13ft listening distance the (distortion limited measurment) of the PA5s 80W is good for 98.5dB(SPL) peaks. That's quite loud. At the PA5s rated 125W a 1% THD, then that's a not quite so clean 100dB(SPL). Again plenty.

If you're using a subwoofer and bass management (i.e. all of the power hungry, sub-80Hz bass is handled by a subwoofer) then the PA5 is enough to cause hearing damage.

Russ

 

[enioentity]

Yeah im using Monolith 10 thx sub, connected through sub out on a receiver( not sure how to make it activate only below certain point Hz, i think it is working constantly)? On a receiver i got bass and treble management it is on 0 then i can go lower or higher..

 

[WonkyDonkey]

Yeah im using Monolith 10 thx sub, connected through sub out on a receiver( not sure how to make it activate only below certain point Hz, i think it is working constantly)? On a receiver i got bass and treble management it is on 0 then i can go lower or higher..

It's a while since I was bothered by AVRs, but generally; if you go into the AVR speaker settings menu and set all speakers to 'Small' (regardless of size) then the AVR will low-pass all of the bass below the chosen crossover points (hint; use 80Hz) to the subwoofer along with the LFE channel.

Some AV Receivers allow different bass management settings for each input and as we have seen in tests here, some processing can introduce increased levels of noise tempting people to run 'Pure Direct' for stereo. I'd add that if Pure Direct defeats room EQ (assuming the EQ routine has been run competently) then bass management engaged, with the lower distortion through the main speakers with a bass managed subwoofer well EQd, always wins out.

The problem with AVRs is that there are so many caveats to that statement! If you're happier listening to music one way or the other, stick to it until you know, or can prove, better.

Russ

 

[gfinlays]

PA5 standby: 0W / 3VA
PA5 on / no signal: 6W / 15VA

Yikes! My main rig amp is 90W on / no signal according to my energy monitor

 

[MarkWinston]

Can it sufficiently power 86db speakers or something like hypex ncore 250 would be a better match?(for example polk r200, elac dbr62)

Im powering my Diamond 12.2 and R200 with the PA5 and D70S. One word : CRAZY GOOD. Ok thats 2 but you know what I mean. It doesnt run out of power before any of those 2 speakers start distorting.

 

[Bdugardin]

Hi,
Question about the PA5. Is it possible to use it as a power amp with a pre-amp ?

 

[gfinlays]

Hi,
Question about the PA5. Is it possible to use it as a power amp with a pre-amp ?

Yes, it would be possible. Just run the PA5 at max volume and provided your preamp can do at least 2.5V output, you'll be able to drive the PA5 to full power.

 

[CJH]

Got one because I was curious and I'm glad I did. Using it to power LS50 Metas above 200Hz. My other amps are Bryston Powerpac 120 monoblocs (120/400 watts) and the PA 5 performs just as well--no added noise or artifacts I can hear. Has enough power in my configuration with listening at -18dB volume with the Brystons and -12dB with the Topping.
CJH

 

[maudio]

Yes, it would be possible. Just run the PA5 at max volume and provided your preamp can do at least 2.5V output, you'll be able to drive the PA5 to full power.

So Pre90 would fit here?

 

[MarkWinston]

Got one because I was curious and I'm glad I did. Using it to power LS50 Metas above 200Hz. My other amps are Bryston Powerpac 120 monoblocs (120/400 watts) and the PA 5 performs just as well--no added noise or artifacts I can hear. Has enough power in my configuration with listening at -18dB volume with the Brystons and -12dB with the Topping.
CJH

You are crossing over your Metas at 200hz?

 

[gfinlays]

So Pre90 would fit here?

Yes it would. You will need a pair of XLR -> TRS cables too.

 

[CJH]

You are crossing over your Metas at 200hz?

Yes, to Rythmik servo subs in 24" tall cabinet designed as stands for the Metas.
CJH

 

[MarkWinston]

Yes, to Rythmik servo subs in 24" tall cabinet designed as stands for the Metas.
CJH

Stand em up, stand em up!

 

[jjmanda]

Yes it would. You will need a pair of XLR -> TRS cables too.

I use a Pre90 with the PA5 via pair of XLR -> TRS cables from Blue Jeans Cable and works great.

 

[JohnnyNG]

I use a Pre90 with the PA5 via pair of XLR -> TRS cables from Blue Jeans Cable and works great.

That’s where I got mine, using L-4E6S since Benchmark uses it. . Very well made.

 

[Guido]

I use a Pre90 with the PA5 via pair of XLR -> TRS cables from Blue Jeans Cable and works great.

I too use pre90 with pa5. Very good. I also alternate in my system the pa5 with a 2a3 ampli ( original Fivre monoplaque from the twenties of xx century and super hi end Tamura output transformers) . Pre90+ 2a3 wonderful !

 

[yt8181]

If chinese has done same progress in weapons this will be a big problem for americans and european . Not to say for Taiwan and Japan

How do you know we didn't?

 

[antcollinet]

How do you know we didn't?

Excellent first post

 

[yt8181]

Excellent first post

 

[mocenigo]

Excellent second post! ;-)