thetrystero
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- Dec 23, 2020
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I currently have the following stack in my living room that I'm very happy with:
At the time that I put my initial stack together about 3-4 years ago those were probably the most cost effective parts I could source and still have decent fidelity. Fast forward to today and that still seems like the case.
I am toying with the idea of giving up quite a bit of headroom, and save USD200 in the process by going with the PAII plus instead of the Hypex (speakers and DAC unchanged). So I asked ChatGPT what he thought (because why not haha). Here's the output below. What do you guys think? Are the points legit? Should I just bite the bullet and stick to my original setup? Or is the topping amp already plenty?
- Speakers: ELAC DBR-62
- DAC: Topping D30Pro
- Amp: Audiophonics MPA-S250NC
- Requirements: XLR from DAC to amp.
- Use case: Movies and Spotify in bed. I'll be sitting in bed a good 8-9 feet a way from the TV. Bedroom is fairly large (25 - 30 square meters)
At the time that I put my initial stack together about 3-4 years ago those were probably the most cost effective parts I could source and still have decent fidelity. Fast forward to today and that still seems like the case.
I am toying with the idea of giving up quite a bit of headroom, and save USD200 in the process by going with the PAII plus instead of the Hypex (speakers and DAC unchanged). So I asked ChatGPT what he thought (because why not haha). Here's the output below. What do you guys think? Are the points legit? Should I just bite the bullet and stick to my original setup? Or is the topping amp already plenty?
Topping PA5 II Plus vs Audiophonics S250NC
| Feature | Topping PA5 II Plus | Audiophonics S250NC |
|---|---|---|
| Amplifier Type | Topping NFCA Class D (proprietary) | Hypex NC252MP Class D (modular) |
| Power Output (8Ω) | ~65 W x2 (1% THD) | ~150 W x2 (1% THD) |
| Power Output (4Ω) | ~125 W x2 (1% THD) | ~250 W x2 (1% THD) |
| THD+N (1kHz, 5W) | ~0.0003% | ~0.0004% |
| SNR | ~127 dB | ~121 dB |
| Input Type | Balanced TRS (¼") | Balanced XLR |
| Build / Chassis | Compact, desktop-friendly, external PSU | Full-width aluminum, robust chassis |
| Heat Dissipation | Passive, runs cool | Passive, runs cool (heatsink chassis) |
| Volume Control | No | No |
| Price (approx.) | ~$299 | ~$450–500 |
| Other Notes | TRS inputs may require adapters | Pure XLR chain (pro-grade layout) |
Sound Quality & Character
| Aspect | PA5 II Plus | S250NC |
|---|---|---|
| Tonal Balance | Very neutral, clean, slightly lean | Slight warmth in mids, more weight and body |
| Detail Retrieval | Excellent; precise imaging | Excellent; smoother transients, better headroom |
| Low Volume Listening | Clean, dead silent | Also excellent, but has more authority at low volume |
| Drive Capability | Moderate (sensitive speakers ideal) | High (effortless drive for 4–6Ω loads like DBR62) |
| Synergy w/ DBR62 | Good, but may lack dynamic depth | Excellent; brings out bass and richness in DBR62 |
System Synergy with ELAC DBR62
- The ELAC DBR62 is a 4Ω speaker with low sensitivity (~86dB) and can be power-hungry.
Audiophonics S250NC
- Delivers tons of clean headroom for the ELACs to breathe, especially at low or moderate volume.
- The slightly warm and rich character of the NC252MP balances the ELAC’s slightly forward treble.
- Best match for your speaker and DAC chain.
PA5 II Plus
- Very clean and affordable.
- But it may feel dynamically restrained on more demanding material due to its limited current delivery into 4Ω loads.
- Not ideal for large rooms or full dynamic range listening unless you're nearfield.
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