Poll for Topping PA5 owners only please.

[delta76]

Wow! That is just an unbelievable statement.

Since Topping doesn't appear to make a particular product model for more than a year, how do they create a track record for reliability? Durability should matter!

The keyword here is discrete. he was warning for a new design that was not proven reliable.

 

[Canuck57]

Hopefully the PA7 will be substantially more reliable than the PA5!

 

[Deleted member 61049]

Hey folks, I found this thread when I googled the address given to me by [email protected] after getting them to "agree" to repair my Topping MX5 that starting generating static out of the left channel.

I ordered it April 19, 2022 and it started giving me issues in late January of this year. The "$20" nonsense is annoying but it looks like standard (albeit shady) practice, and hopefully I at least get my warranty repair out of it despite not getting around to shipping it for two months.

In light of this, which brands do repairs stateside? I'm only running a pair of Jamo S 803s and an Audio-technica ATH-AD700X, and I suppose that I should look into separating the DACs and AMPs going forward in case something breaks again?

 

[GLTRV]

I'm happy to report that I have managed to repair my PA5.

Thanks to @gamerpaddy 's post on the PA5's review thread, I decided to attempt to repair mine as well.

Desoldering the module was hard, even with a hot air soldering station. I wouldn't even attempt without one.
De-potting the module was also tedious, the hot air soldering station helped a lot.

I did destroy a 10K Ohm resistor while de-potting. I had to scavenge in a box containing project parts from my college days and found 0402 10K resistors, which are much smaller than the 0603 and 0805 parts used by Topping. See if you can find it in the pictures.
0402 smd parts are 1mm x 0.5mm, they are hard to solder with the naked eye, it's much easier with a microscope, which I do not have.

With a copious amount of solder flux, I melted all solder joints with my soldering iron and soldered 100 mil headers on the main board to insert the module without soldering it to the main board.
I might eventually remove the headers and solder the module directly.
What I believe repaired the unit is melting the solder joints, which is inline with @gamerpaddy 's conclusion here.
It also confirm that the ICs, which are the heat sources, are themselves fine, as said by JohnYang from Topping here.
Thus, I also believe that the likely cause is uneven thermal expansion between the PCB and potting compound causing cracks in solder joints.

I have ordered a 50x25x10mm heatsink to install on the module of my second PA5 that has had no issue yet.

 

[klimal]

I finally got back my PA5 which I sent for warranty repairs in Jan 2023. The local agent was most helpful and prompt with updates. The Covid lockdown then in China did not help expedite things either, but I am happy to report it is now working and sounds as good as before.

 

[BoredErica]

I'm happy to report that I have managed to repair my PA5.

Thanks to @gamerpaddy 's post on the PA5's review thread, I decided to attempt to repair mine as well.

Desoldering the module was hard, even with a hot air soldering station. I wouldn't even attempt without one.
De-potting the module was also tedious, the hot air soldering station helped a lot.

I did destroy a 10K Ohm resistor while de-potting. I had to scavenge in a box containing project parts from my college days and found 0402 10K resistors, which are much smaller than the 0603 and 0805 parts used by Topping. See if you can find it in the pictures.
0402 smd parts are 1mm x 0.5mm, they are hard to solder with the naked eye, it's much easier with a microscope, which I do not have.

With a copious amount of solder flux, I melted all solder joints with my soldering iron and soldered 100 mil headers on the main board to insert the module without soldering it to the main board.
I might eventually remove the headers and solder the module directly.
What I believe repaired the unit is melting the solder joints, which is inline with @gamerpaddy 's conclusion here.
It also confirm that the ICs, which are the heat sources, are themselves fine, as said by JohnYang from Topping here.
Thus, I also believe that the likely cause is uneven thermal expansion between the PCB and potting compound causing cracks in solder joints.

I have ordered a 50x25x10mm heatsink to install on the module of my second PA5 that has had no issue yet.

Congrats. Unforunately I'm not able nor willing to learn how to fix mine.

I finally got back my PA5 which I sent for warranty repairs in Jan 2023. The local agent was most helpful and prompt with updates. The Covid lockdown then in China did not help expedite things either, but I am happy to report it is now working and sounds as good as before.

I know some people got their Pa5 after repairs only to have the same issue crop up later. I would *assume* that in mid 2023, with the cause of pa5 failures known, Topping would know how to fix the issue. But they'd have to be willing to... replace the parts and remove the cover.

Buckeye nc252mp could be a liability in terms of audible hiss with ear near tweeter w/ no preamp, LA90 is a more expensive Topping product, and Buckeye Purifi is $1000+. Pa7 might have issues with linearity. But what if I return pa5 for repairs and same thing happens? The rep said if it's broken second time they'll take special action but considering their followups I consider this promise empty.

There's just no easy/good option here.

 

[GLTRV]

If all they do is to replace the module, then it's a temporary fix, unfortunately.

I finally got back my PA5 which I sent for warranty repairs in Jan 2023. The local agent was most helpful and prompt with updates. The Covid lockdown then in China did not help expedite things either, but I am happy to report it is now working and sounds as good as before.

Do you know how they fixed it ?
Would you be able to open your unit and take pictures of the module (top and back to show the solders) ?

Congrats. Unforunately I'm not able nor willing to learn how to fix mine.

Thanks. I understand, it's hard to fix and is not at all something everybody can do.

 

[terrys999]

I drilled a large hole in mine, exposing heat sink and the black module, shoved a fan on top.
The modules remain cold to the touch, it’s been running constantly for 6 months.

My experiment, see how long it lasts.

 

[Lräk]

Do you know how they fixed it ?
Would you be able to open your unit and take pictures of the module (top and back to show the solders) ?

Last year on August 22nd, I ordered a 2nd PA5 from Apos Audio because my first PA5 died and I didn't want to send it to China and I knew it would be easier with Apos. I opened it up just like I did on my first PA5 and was NOT HAPPY to see the module had been replaced. The solder flux was still on the board. This was supposed to be a new PA5.

 

[terrys999]

Last year on August 22nd, I ordered a 2nd PA5 from Apos Audio because my first PA5 died and I didn't want to send it to China and I knew it would be easier with Apos. I opened it up just like I did on my first PA5 and was NOT HAPPY to see the module had been replaced. The solder flux was still on the board. This was supposed to be a new PA5.

Wow. Sneaky sneaky. They’re a bunch of crooks.

 

[terrys999]

Last year on August 22nd, I ordered a 2nd PA5 from Apos Audio because my first PA5 died and I didn't want to send it to China and I knew it would be easier with Apos. I opened it up just like I did on my first PA5 and was NOT HAPPY to see the module had been replaced. The solder flux was still on the board. This was supposed to be a new PA5.

Wow. Sneaky sneaky. They’re a bunch of crooks.

 

[antcollinet]

Last year on August 22nd, I ordered a 2nd PA5 from Apos Audio because my first PA5 died and I didn't want to send it to China and I knew it would be easier with Apos. I opened it up just like I did on my first PA5 and was NOT HAPPY to see the module had been replaced. The solder flux was still on the board. This was supposed to be a new PA5.

I hope you returned it.

 

[Lräk]

I hope you returned it.

Nope. Besides how do I tell Apos I opened it up without invalidating the warranty?

It works so I was fine with it. Interesting, about a month ago I was messing around with it trying to see if I could get my cheap turntable to connect to the 2nd input. I hadn't turned the power off and there was a spark on the right channel input. When I tried to use it, the right speaker wasn't working. I figured I blew something out on the right input. I opened it up again and measured as much as I could. Didn't see anything obviously wrong so I put it back together. What do you know...it's working again.

 

[ampguy]

If you have a working one, just use it in a cool env. with circulation and use balanced TRS ins, not some RCA to TRS adapters, otherwise the amp will have to run hotter. I'm happy with mine, am going to get a PA7 or PA7 Plus maybe black friday or so, just haven't decided on which model. Don't really need an LA90D, might even get another PA5.

 

[Talisman]

might even get another PA5.

That is, is there a design problem recognized by the designer and you even want to buy another one?
Some people hate themselves

 

[Lräk]

If you have a working one, just use it in a cool env. with circulation and use balanced TRS ins, not some RCA to TRS adapters, otherwise the amp will have to run hotter. I'm happy with mine, am going to get a PA7 or PA7 Plus maybe black friday or so, just haven't decided on which model. Don't really need an LA90D, might even get another PA5.

I posted before how I changed the feet to these 3/4 inch which allows more air flow through the bottom of the PA5 where the vents are. Seems to help keep my PA5 cooler.

Since I had 25 of the feet, I put them on my old PA5 as well as the E50 and newer SMSL C200. I switch between the 2 PA5's from time to time and eventually will get another set of speakers for the old PA5/SMSL set in another room.

 

[ampguy]

That is, is there a design problem recognized by the designer and you even want to buy another one?
Some people hate themselves

For more context, I would plan to use it in a relatively cool and ventilated area of my house which has several stereo systems. I am aware of the issues. I also believe there is no perfect amplifier. IMHO, the PA5 is a groundbreaking amp, for it's price, when used properly, and yes, maybe with a little luck

 

[ampguy]

I posted before how I changed the feet to these 3/4 inch which allows more air flow through the bottom of the PA5 where the vents are. Seems to help keep my PA5 cooler.

Since I had 25 of the feet, I put them on my old PA5 as well as the E50 and newer SMSL C200. I switch between the 2 PA5's from time to time and eventually will get another set of speakers for the old PA5/SMSL set in another room.

I just use mine in one of the cooler rooms. In our area, we have 6 months of < 70 deg F insides, and the hottest months maybe 73 deg F before the AC kicks in. I'm driving a pair of KEF LS50s which are inefficient, but I'm also not cranking it to party levels, and I'm feeding it from a balanced DAC, so the volume on the amp is never higher than mid point. It has never been more than mildly warm to the touch. I feel no need for addl. cooling in my situation. YMMV.

 

[Power Pop 23]

If you have a working one, just use it in a cool env. with circulation and use balanced TRS ins, not some RCA to TRS adapters, otherwise the amp will have to run hotter. I'm happy with mine, am going to get a PA7 or PA7 Plus maybe black friday or so, just haven't decided on which model. Don't really need an LA90D, might even get another PA5.

I concur - My PA5 is working fine in a cool environment with TRS ins. Assuming the Topping PA7 or PA7 Plus seems 'reliable' by Black Friday 2023, I'm pretty sure I'd sure prefer a PA7 variant over adding another PA5

 

[GLTRV]

Last year on August 22nd, I ordered a 2nd PA5 from Apos Audio because my first PA5 died and I didn't want to send it to China and I knew it would be easier with Apos. I opened it up just like I did on my first PA5 and was NOT HAPPY to see the module had been replaced. The solder flux was still on the board. This was supposed to be a new PA5.

That's bad if it was supposed to be new, but to be honest, the part that is prone to failure has been replaced so your PA5's life expectancy will be that of a new PA5.