Shipment delays... Recommend an upgrade to the Topping L50?

[jonwb]

Hi... I put in an order for a Topping L50 last week, mainly for its small footprint, balanced connectivity and price. I was notified that it won't be available until mid to late March now.

If I were to spend more for a balanced input (TRS or XLR) HP amp, what would you recommend instead?

 

[BeeKay]

The L50 has balanced inputs (TRS).

 

[MAB]

Hi... I put in an order for a Topping L50 last week, mainly for its small footprint, balanced connectivity and price. I was notified that it won't be available until mid to late March now.

If I were to spend more and possibly gain balanced XLR inputs, what would you recommend instead?

It has balanced inputs, no need to spend more. The XLR sockets take up more room and make the device larger.
Quite a few devices compete in this price range.

 

[jonwb]

The L50 has balanced inputs (TRS).

Thanks yes, I'm aware of that but my Lynx breakout cables are XLR. I was planning to build some adapter cables but going direct kinda appeals to me. A different HP amp with balanced TRS inputs would be fine too.

 

[jonwb]

View attachment 430562
It has balanced inputs, no need to spend more. The XLR sockets take up more room and make the device larger.
Quite a few devices compete in this price range.

Yes, that's true.

 

[BeeKay]

Thanks yes, I'm aware of that but my Lynx breakout cables are XLR. I was planning to build some adapter cables but going direct kinda appeals to me. A different HP amp with balanced TRS inputs would be fine... forgot to mention that

Plenty option that don’t break the bank

 

[jonwb]

Plenty option that don’t break the bank

View attachment 430579

Thanks but I'm pretty adapt at making my own cables (TRS to unbalanced RCA)

 

[nagster]

Schiit Midgard Balanced Headphone Amp Review

This is a review, listening tests and detailed measurements of the Schiit Midgard balanced headphone amplifier and preamp. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $219. While I am not a fan of the symbols Schiit uses instead of proper labels, there are only two to learn which is no big...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[jkim]

If you want a small footprint, how about Topping A50 III? Its headphone amp circuit is likely to be equivalent to A50s which was reviewed at ASR.

 

[jonwb]

Schiit Midgard Balanced Headphone Amp Review

This is a review, listening tests and detailed measurements of the Schiit Midgard balanced headphone amplifier and preamp. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $219. While I am not a fan of the symbols Schiit uses instead of proper labels, there are only two to learn which is no big...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Thanks... nice looking unit

 

[jonwb]

If you want a small footprint, how about Topping A50 III? Its headphone amp circuit is likely to be equivalent to A50s which was reviewed at ASR.

That's a good idea, thanks. I'll research further.

 

[restorer-john]

Can't you just wait a few weeks?

 

[Roland68]

Hi... I put in an order for a Topping L50 last week, mainly for its small footprint, balanced connectivity and price. I was notified that it won't be available until mid to late March now.

If I were to spend more for a balanced input (TRS or XLR) HP amp, what would you recommend instead?

I would also recommend the A50 III or the L70 as an alternative.
The L70 would have much higher performance, an absolutely channel-equal volume control and a remote control.

If you can still get one from Amazon (around €120-130) then go for the price/performance hit Sabaj A20h.
Completely symmetrical with 4.7 watts of power. You can find the very good test here on ASR. Real symmetrical HPA, including relay-based volume control with absolute channel equality, remote control, display, symmetrical input and real symmetrical output with a maximum of 4.7 watts at 32 ohms. Plus a powerful switching power supply. No preamplifier output though.
It used to be much more expensive (about € 390) but is currently being sold off.