Topping’s new amplifier - Mini300

[Tell]

With the MiniDSP at 0dB, do you need to set the volume on the amplifier to maximum?

With the MiniDSP at +12 at the output for the tops (and around -5 to 0 at the input and some EQ inbetween) I need to set the Topping at max to get the same loudness as my old TPA3118 (with no volume knob). This is the level I want for the few times a week I'm alone to crank it.

 

[Ahmonge]

With the MiniDSP at +12 at the output for the tops (and around -5 to 0 at the input and some EQ inbetween) I need to set the Topping at max to get the same loudness as my old TPA3118 (with no volume knob). This is the level I want for the few times a week I'm alone to crank it.

What source are you using? Where do you control volume? At the source, the DAC or the amp? Are you using high gain on the amp?

EDIT: sorry, I was wrong: there isn't gain selector on the Mini 300.

 

[Ben Jenssen]

I've used the Mini 300 for some weeks now, replacing a nineties Sony TA30FA receiver, and I'm mostly very happy with it. It sounds very clean and linear, and has OK punch and bass. I sometimes miss the color of the Sony, but the 300 has much better highs on my Dynaudio passives.

My mac is my only source, and the DAC is the E30 II.

FWIW; regarding levels; I used to have the Sony at max level, and the E30 at about -28, this gave me good enough levels and I did any additional attenuation on the mac (Soundsource). With the 300, I now have the 300 at 3 o'clock (~ 70-80%), and the E30 on max. The mac main output is around 60% for normal listening, so I have plenty of level if I want it.

Very happy with the E30 II + Mini 300 combination.

 

[fredreadrick]

I now have the 300 at 3 o'clock (~ 70-80%), and the E30 on max.

E30 II on dac mode?

 

[Ben Jenssen]

E30 II on dac mode?

Yes.

 

[fredreadrick]

Yes.

Owned this little dac before. SQ ofDac mode was better than preamp mode.

 

[Ben Jenssen]

Owned this little dac before. SQ ofDac mode was better than preamp mode.

I can't say I noticed any difference when I switched modes.

I felt the difference was huge, though, when I first got it. I have been using lots of "consumer audio interfaces" the last 25 years, Apogee Duet, Focusrite Scarlett, MBox, Audient, MAudio etc., and the E30 II sounded punchier, more detailed, was easier to listen to at low levels and less fatiguing at high levels.

 

[JSmith]

ASR review is up;

Topping Mini 300 Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping Mini300 balanced stereo class D amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and is on sale for US $128 (normal $139). While in the typical desktop configuration, there is a level of polish to the look and feel of the mini 300. Controls...

www.audiosciencereview.com

JSmith

 

[monsterlag]

ASR review is up;

Topping Mini 300 Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping Mini300 balanced stereo class D amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and is on sale for US $128 (normal $139). While in the typical desktop configuration, there is a level of polish to the look and feel of the mini 300. Controls...

www.audiosciencereview.com

JSmith

Jeez that thread is a shitshow.

 

[Tell]

Jeez that thread is a shitshow.

Why is that? I saw some politics but other than that it looked like any other ASR threads? It's locked now though so I take it some drama took place?

 

[Bleib]

Quite a bit politics, and clearly of the kind that will lead into fights

I'll keep my TP RA3

 

[SlowJim]

Since the review thread was locked, maybe someone here can answer this for me. Are the 20hz test results with the amp going into an "intermediate protection mode" anything to be concerned about? Looking at all the other test results it does not seem to be lacking in bass reproduction. I'm not sure I understand the use case around the 20hz test.

 

[oldloder]

Since the review thread was locked, maybe someone here can answer this for me. Are the 20hz test results with the amp going into an "intermediate protection mode" anything to be concerned about? Looking at all the other test results it does not seem to be lacking in bass reproduction. I'm not sure I understand the use case around the 20hz test.

20 Hz content would primarily be in HT content, music listening rarely goes below 30hz.

 

[Guddu]

Why is that? I saw some politics but other than that it looked like any other ASR threads? It's locked now though so I take it some drama took place?

Quite a bit politics, and clearly of the kind that will lead into fights

I'll keep my TP RA3

What drama are you talking about? I don't see anything?

 

[Tell]

What drama are you talking about? I don't see anything?

There was some politics going on, something about fuel price in France going to something about Europe being socialist and then something about voting on Trump. Thankfully it seems to be removed now with the thread being open again.

 

[monsterlag]

What drama are you talking about? I don't see anything?

It was removed, thankfully but it was a mess.

 

[redjr]

As a non-pro and enthusiast without any knowledge about the science and mesurements about audio gear, I have a question.

Retiring after a long life in music and small studio production, I set up a little system right here in my livingroom, just to have good sound and be able to occationally do some mixing for others, and also play around with my old multitrack recordings and listen to my vinyl collection.

First thing I did was to get a simple DAC. I tried a Olasonic, a Topping, and landed on another Topping; the E30 II - it was a revelation. It blew away all the consumer audio interfaces I had heard in the last few decades - Focusrite, Apogee, Mbox, Audient etc. Great.

I love that DAC, and I love my passive Dynaudio BM6'es. I drive them with a Sony FA30ES receiver. Most of my audio comes from my mac thru the E30 II, and is amplified by the Sony. The only other job it does is receiving my 0.7mv MC pickup signal in its phono/RIAA stage.

I was alway used to having a power amp without any preamp, like Electrocompaniet and others.

I know the power stage of a system will not be as critical to SQ as other stages, but do you think this Topping amp would be a good idea for me? Would it drive the Dynaudios well? I'm thinking, 1990's tech vs this year's tech. I never play very loud.

I'd also love to get rid of this 20 punds heat generator Sony. I could look into a good standalone RIAA and preamp box to go with my wonderful Ortofon MC x10.

Was there a question in there somewhere?

 

[antcollinet]

Was there a question in there somewhere?

You are replying to a 5 month old post, but....

but do you think this Topping amp would be a good idea for me? Would it drive the Dynaudios well?

 

[Ben Jenssen]

Was there a question in there somewhere?

Yes:

I know the power stage of a system will not be as critical to SQ as other stages, but do you think this Topping amp would be a good idea for me? Would it drive the Dynaudios well? I'm thinking, 1990's tech vs this year's tech. I never play very loud.

But don't bother. I bought the mini300, used it for a couple of weeks, and sold it. The sound was clean, precise, but boring. I'm back on the noisy old 20 pound Sony and I appreciate it even more now. It has depth, color, and is simply more beautiful sounding to me.

 

[Jcrow]

Yes:

But don't bother. I bought the mini300, used it for a couple of weeks, and sold it. The sound was clean, precise, but boring. I'm back on the noisy old 20 pound Sony and I appreciate it even more now. It has depth, color, and is simply more beautiful sounding to me.

Personally, that’s why I like the mini300. It’s quiet and neutral (as most amps are). I don’t find it boring because the music provides the entertainment.