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Need advice on desktop setup. Current equipment inside.

N1cat

Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2024
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I currently own
Modi 3
Magni 1
A07 pro
PC USB > modi 3 > HP amp > Aiyama a07 pro> subwoofer and 2 bookshelf

I currently have a magni 3 and topping l30 II in their return window. Also kef q150s and sundaras. Here are the questions.

1. What does the preamp function on the magni 3 and l30 II actually do? How should I run the volume and gain on the headphone amp compared to the Aiyama? Am I too paranoid thinking I could break the headphone jack on the magni/L 30II?

2. I am not keen on having to unplug and plug in my headphones just for speaker access. My other options is split the rca from the modi to the aiyama and magni. Are there any downsides to doing this? Meaning to just have the volume on either turned all the way down while usimg the other. What if one is turned off?

3. The L30 II fixes the above issue but schitt has a 3 year on magnis while topping is 1 iirc. How do the topping amps hold up? The magni has vent holes on top but I didnt see anything on the L30II.

4. Any other options for me I am not seeing within $200?
 
Hi @N1cat! Welcome to ASR.

1. What does the preamp function on the magni 3 and l30 II actually do?
It amplifies and attenuates the input signal in the analog realm, then outputs that to an external Amp.

How should I run the volume and gain on the headphone amp compared to the Aiyama?
However is most convenient to you.

For starters, I'd try simply leaving the L30II in Medium gain. Should be loud enough for both your headphone and speaker, without risking any hearing damage due to a mishap.

Am I too paranoid thinking I could break the headphone jack on the magni/L 30II?
Probably.

2. I am not keen on having to unplug and plug in my headphones just for speaker access. My other options is split the rca from the modi to the aiyama and magni.
Just use the L30II.

There's a handly toggle switch on the front with which you can switch between speakers and headphones, without having to unplug anything.

3. The L30 II fixes the above issue but schitt has a 3 year on magnis while topping is 1 iirc. How do the topping amps hold up?
I've heard very little, if anything about defective L30II units. Seems very solid.


4. Any other options for me I am not seeing within $200?
There are DAC+Headphone Amp combo units which can simplify your setup, if that's something that you're interested in.

There are even some DAC+Headphone Amp+Power Amp All-in-One units.
 
Hi @N1cat! Welcome to ASR.


It amplifies and attenuates the input signal in the analog realm, then outputs that to an external Amp.


However is most convenient to you.

For starters, I'd try simply leaving the L30II in Medium gain. Should be loud enough for both your headphone and speaker, without risking any hearing damage due to a mishap.


Probably.


Just use the L30II.

There's a handly toggle switch on the front with which you can switch between speakers and headphones, without having to unplug anything.


I've heard very little, if anything about defective L30II units. Seems very solid.



There are DAC+Headphone Amp combo units which can simplify your setup, if that's something that you're interested in.

There are even some DAC+Headphone Amp+Power Amp All-in-One units.
Thanks a ton!
I saw the Loxjie A30 and 40. And an SMSL A300. But I also heard their headphone amps were weak. I would be highly interested in such units because the Aiyama A07 Pro was actually for my garage gym. So I need to purchase an actual amp anyway. With a subwoofer output to a active sub.
 
Thanks a ton!
I saw the Loxjie A30 and 40. And an SMSL A300. But I also heard their headphone amps were weak. I would be highly interested in such units because the Aiyama A07 Pro was actually for my garage gym. So I need to purchase an actual amp anyway. With a subwoofer output to a active sub.
I would recommend the SMSL AO300 or Loxjie A40, they are identical except for the phono input and are really good. The thing about the HPA performance in the devices is nonsense, I can only turn my Sundara up to just over half if I don't want to damage my hearing and I could hardly tell the difference in quality from a €500/$ HPA.

However, you should search the current owner threads for both devices for problems with the sub out, the manufacturers have not always solved this well.

I can only advise against the A300 if you need a USB DAC, because it has a 50 cent DAC chip built in that is audibly worse.
 
I would recommend the SMSL AO300 or Loxjie A40, they are identical except for the phono input and are really good. The thing about the HPA performance in the devices is nonsense, I can only turn my Sundara up to just over half if I don't want to damage my hearing and I could hardly tell the difference in quality from a €500/$ HPA.

However, you should search the current owner threads for both devices for problems with the sub out, the manufacturers have not always solved this well.

I can only advise against the A300 if you need a USB DAC, because it has a 50 cent DAC chip built in that is audibly worse.
Well to put it in perspective, I crank the magni on high gain around 3 on the dial.

I absolutely love the sundaras.
 
Hi @N1cat! Welcome to ASR.


It amplifies and attenuates the input signal in the analog realm, then outputs that to an external Amp.


However is most convenient to you.

For starters, I'd try simply leaving the L30II in Medium gain. Should be loud enough for both your headphone and speaker, without risking any hearing damage due to a mishap.


Probably.


Just use the L30II.

There's a handly toggle switch on the front with which you can switch between speakers and headphones, without having to unplug anything.


I've heard very little, if anything about defective L30II units. Seems very solid.



There are DAC+Headphone Amp combo units which can simplify your setup, if that's

Hi @N1cat! Welcome to ASR.


It amplifies and attenuates the input signal in the analog realm, then outputs that to an external Amp.


However is most convenient to you.

For starters, I'd try simply leaving the L30II in Medium gain. Should be loud enough for both your headphone and speaker, without risking any hearing damage due to a mishap.


Probably.


Just use the L30II.

There's a handly toggle switch on the front with which you can switch between speakers and headphones, without having to unplug anything.


I've heard very little, if anything about defective L30II units. Seems very solid.



There are DAC+Headphone Amp combo units which can simplify your setup, if that's something that you're interested in.

There are even some DAC+Headphone Amp+Power Amp All-in-One units.

one question out of curiosity

THe magni is vented all over yet the toppi g l30 II isnt. Just weird they arent worried about overheating.

I played my sundaras for about an hour on high gain on 60%volume and it was just warm. My avr gets way hotter. Just a concern.
 
one question out of curiosity

THe magni is vented all over yet the toppi g l30 II isnt. Just weird they arent worried about overheating.

I played my sundaras for about an hour on high gain on 60%volume and it was just warm. My avr gets way hotter. Just a concern.
What's the question?
 
Thanks a ton!
I saw the Loxjie A30 and 40. And an SMSL A300. But I also heard their headphone amps were weak. I would be highly interested in such units because the Aiyama A07 Pro was actually for my garage gym. So I need to purchase an actual amp anyway. With a subwoofer output to a active sub.

The headphone amp in the Loxjie A40 is good. Plenty of power and great sound.
 
The headphone amp in the Loxjie A40 is good. Plenty of power and great sound.
I looked into them and its a good value but I kind of like having each function separate.

2 more questions

1. The magni pre amp function. What are the benefits if my a07 pro drives the q150 plenty enough?

2. The topping l30 II switch has to pass the headphone positio. To reach preamp. There is the audible and physical click of the switch and the audible click of the power coming on from inside. I will use the preamp function more so should I click on each separately and waitnfor the audible click or just straight from off to preamp avoiding stopping on headphone?


As you can see, I am concerned with longevity. The smsl ho300 has a physical switch for turning on AND an output switch separate. Just costs 2x what the magni and l30 II costs.
 
I looked into them and its a good value but I kind of like having each function separate.

2 more questions

1. The magni pre amp function. What are the benefits if my a07 pro drives the q150 plenty enough?

2. The topping l30 II switch has to pass the headphone positio. To reach preamp. There is the audible and physical click of the switch and the audible click of the power coming on from inside. I will use the preamp function more so should I click on each separately and waitnfor the audible click or just straight from off to preamp avoiding stopping on headphone?


As you can see, I am concerned with longevity. The smsl ho300 has a physical switch for turning on AND an output switch separate. Just costs 2x what the magni and l30 II costs.
If you switch the Topping-L30-II directly to preamp, the unit is not even on when it passes the headphone position.

If someone wants real longevity from their HPA, I always recommend Violectric. The durability is decades instead of years and these units can always be repaired inexpensively. But it also costs more.
 
If you switch the Topping-L30-II directly to preamp, the unit is not even on when it passes the headphone position.

If someone wants real longevity from their HPA, I always recommend Violectric. The durability is decades instead of years and these units can always be repaired inexpensively. But it also costs more.
If i am using the speakers and flip directly to off its also bypassing the headphone output quick enough?

How about the preamp function? Know anything on that. Meaning if my speaker amp is powerful enough, does the preamp functjon serve a purpose
 
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