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Is it Worth Trading L50 for A90?

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I listen with Dan Clark Aeon II Noires being fed by Topping D90SE and Topping L50. Is there any rational reason (read: something to be gained), if money is not part of the consideration, to replace the L50 with a Topping A90? Opinions sought and most welcome!
 

coomean

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I listen with Dan Clark Aeon II Noires being fed by Topping D90SE and Topping L50. Is there any rational reason (read: something to be gained), if money is not part of the consideration, to replace the L50 with a Topping A90? Opinions sought and most welcome!
"rational reason (read: something to be gained)" to go from L50 to A90:
pre-amp function, native XLR input/output (no adaptor needed), higher power output.

For your usage, NO.
 

Leiker535

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I listen with Dan Clark Aeon II Noires being fed by Topping D90SE and Topping L50. Is there any rational reason (read: something to be gained), if money is not part of the consideration, to replace the L50 with a Topping A90? Opinions sought and most welcome!
A matching aesthetic on the desk. Other than that and preamp, no.
 
OP
J
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Very good! I sincerely appreciate and understand the feedback. Thank you all!
 

Chuckser

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The L50 is not a Pre-Amplifier. You would therefore be using the on-chip volume control of the D90SE which means a loss of digital resolution. Obviously not to your headphones as previous comments point out. If you plan to expand your soundstage with a power amp and speakers the Eastern pre-amps are designed without "tilt" and may therefore sound bright, in your face and un-natural. A savy salesperson would sell you extortionately priced leads to roll off the frequency response. Have you considered a valve Pre-Amplifier? Have a look at the difference between the way a Tube Amp responds to impedance with frequency vis a vie Solid State.
 
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Kitarist

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Does anyone own both and how do they compare in terms of sound signature?
 

enricoclaudio

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I own DCA Aeon 2 Noires and drive them with a Topping A90 fed by a Matrix Audio X-SABRE 3. The Noires sound Amazing with the A90. I had an A30Pro too but returned it and kept the A90.
 

enricoclaudio

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While the A30Pro sounds exactly the same as the A90, the A90 has a bit more power out of balanced outs and also match better in terms of size on top of the MA mini-i Pro 3. Not to mention that the A30Pro is a heater compared to the A90. I was going to keep both but at the end decided to return the A30Pro.

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renaudrenaud

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Does anyone own both and how do they compare in terms of sound signature?
Maybe to late in the debate, but I own the two. There no such thing like sound signature.

I like the preamp function in the big one specially with my active speakers: I check the button volume before to fire the speakers.

Aesthetically I prefer the big one.

Anyway these units are so inexpensive you cannot be wrong.

I am an old guy and spent my life trying to find the most uncoloured preamp, spending a lot of money on the subject.

This is no more a question, thanks a lot Topping.
 
OP
J
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I cannot tell a lie. Earlier this week, I ordered an A90 from Apos. It should arrive, fingers crossed, on 12/29/21. I decided to keep both amps (L50 and A90). I realized that the preamp "function" of my D90SE is inadequate to drive my AudioEngine 5+ active monitors (eventually to be replaced, I hope, with Revel M16s powered by a Topping PA3s). So, I'll own two essentially identically sounding HA amps and be able to listen to my speakers as well.
 
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