Topping’s new amplifier - Mini300

[Power Pop 23]

Alas, I fear the introduction of the $139 Topping Mini300 amplifier has decimated the potential resale value of my $149 Topping PA3s amplifier.

 

[audioje]

So essentially the same as PA5ii. A bit disappointed... Well, hope the next one is a cheaper PA7 then! I would love to get it!

 

[Roland68]

So essentially the same as PA5ii. A bit disappointed... Well, hope the next one is a cheaper PA7 then! I would love to get it!

What's disappointing about it?
The TPA3251/55 technology is pretty much maxed out and, up to a certain power level, outperforms generations of amplifiers in every respect.
At this point, it's common practice to offer this technology with similar performance and measurements in more affordable price ranges.
Topping had already reduced the price of the PA5 II to €199 about a year ago.

A price adjustment or a cheaper version of the PA7 would be desirable, since there is already a cheaper and equally high-quality variant with 2 x TPA3255 in the form of the A7.

 

[audioje]

What's disappointing about it?
The TPA3251/55 technology is pretty much maxed out and, up to a certain power level, outperforms generations of amplifiers in every respect.
At this point, it's common practice to offer this technology with similar performance and measurements in more affordable price ranges.
Topping had already reduced the price of the PA5 II to €199 about a year ago.

A price adjustment or a cheaper version of the PA7 would be desirable, since there is already a cheaper and equally high-quality variant with 2 x TPA3255 in the form of the A7.

I already have a pa5ii. Wanted to buy a new topping model just for fun and was very excited to see this one until I found out it is just the same one. Anything wrong with my disappointment?

 

[ziggurcat]

Looks pretty good. I'd been holding out for topping to update their small amps because I didn't like the plexiglass look. If they update the B100s in this style, I'd be down.

Man, would I love for them to release a stereo version of the B100...

I took a chance, and just ordered the Mini 300. If it performs anything like the PA5II, I think I already know what to expect. The only feature I think this is missing is a volume bypass toggle, but that's super minor.

 

[jazd]

Here's some photos of the Topping Mini 300, mine arrived today. This thing is tiny, here it is next to a Fosi ZD3 and ZA3 for comparison.

 

[ziggurcat]

Here's some photos of the Topping Mini 300, mine arrived today. This thing is tiny, here it is next to a Fosi ZD3 and ZA3 for comparison.

Looking at the specs, it's the same size as the PA5 II. With any luck, we'll get a proper review here soon, but I get the backlog is huge (I'm not expecting it to perform any better/worse than the PA5 II, either).

 

[Solveit]

Here's some photos of the Topping Mini 300, mine arrived today. This thing is tiny, here it is next to a Fosi ZD3 and ZA3 for comparison.

They skipped the secret pots now.

 

[ziggurcat]

They skipped the secret pots now.
View attachment 492406

Or it's just a different implementation in the Mini300?

 

[Tell]

I already have a pa5ii. Wanted to buy a new topping model just for fun and was very excited to see this one until I found out it is just the same one. Anything wrong with my disappointment?

Each to their own I guess, but what's the fun with a new amplifier that looks more or less the same and sounds exactly the same (because it would even if it had better objective performance) as the one you already bought just a year or two ago?

 

[ziggurcat]

Each to their own I guess, but what's the fun with a new amplifier that looks more or less the same and sounds exactly the same (because it would even if it had better objective performance) as the one you already bought just a year or two ago?

But I would also argue that if it's a slightly re-skinned PA5 II then it's easy to know what to expect, and there's less risk involved.

 

[SlowJim]

I ended up ordering one of these and received it today. Noticed the power supply output is rated at 38v 4a, which is 0.8a higher than the one in Amir's review of the PA5 II. So this one may output a bit more wattage, hopefully he is able to measure one at some point. I don't have golden ears by any means but initially it does sound a bit nicer than the amp it replaced, a fosi v3.

 

[ziggurcat]

I ended up ordering one of these and received it today. Noticed the power supply output is rated at 38v 4a, which is 0.8a higher than the one in Amir's review of the PA5 II.

Because the Mini 300 is basically a newer iteration of the PA5 II Plus.

 

[Roland68]

Because the Mini 300 is basically a newer iteration of the PA5 II Plus.

The Mini 300 is certainly not a new version of the PA5 II Plus, but rather a stripped-down and less expensive version.

The older PA5 will likely continue to perform slightly better than the Version II and Mini 300.
This is partly due to the greater distance between the OPA and its connected components.

 

[Ronnie1963]

Stripped down or not, it is certainly less expensive. I bought one from a local webshop for a pre-BF price of 118Euro, which it also cost now at Audiophonics. It has replaced a Fosi V3 with 48V PSU because of the dual input (yes I know the V3 has an 3mm in/output as well) and toggle on/off switch. I have no use for the trigger possibility and as the source of structural reliabilty problems has been tackled look forward to a long audio live in my living room. Untill the next best mini amp comes along of course .

 

[Roland68]

Stripped down or not, it is certainly less expensive. I bought one from a local webshop for a pre-BF price of 118Euro, which it also cost now at Audiophonics. It has replaced a Fosi V3 with 48V PSU because of the dual input (yes I know the V3 has an 3mm in/output as well) and toggle on/off switch. I have no use for the trigger possibility and as the source of structural reliabilty problems has been tackled look forward to a long audio live in my living room. Untill the next best mini amp comes along of course .

As I wrote earlier, the "slimming down" is of course due to the price, but it shouldn't have any significant impact on sound quality or measurements.
In my personal opinion, the Mini 300 is a mega bargain and shows that low budget doesn't preclude high-end hi-fi.

 

[melomane13]

An RCA input impedance of 1000 ohms is not good. It's too low a value, probably designed to keep noise low; definitely a serious mistake in my opinion, enough to prevent me from buying this amplifier.

 

[GiBo61]

Here's some photos of the Topping Mini 300, mine arrived today. This thing is tiny, here it is next to a Fosi ZD3 and ZA3 for comparison.

Thanks jazd for the pictures of the Mini 300. I have some questions for you: how big is the power supply compared to the amplifier (can you share a picture)? How does the volume knob feel? Is it made of plastic or metal?
Thanks

 

[jazd]

Thanks jazd for the pictures of the Mini 300. I have some questions for you: how big is the power supply compared to the amplifier (can you share a picture)? How does the volume knob feel? Is it made of plastic or metal?
Thanks

Hey unfortunately I'm travelling and can't post a picture. It looks the same as the one included with the PA5 see here

Topping PA5 Review (Amplifier)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping PA5 stereo desktop amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $349. PA5 enclosure looks like their standard DACs and such: Hard to imagine that an amplifier can fit in the same size but here we are. There are large...

www.audiosciencereview.com

The volume knob is plastic, rotates smooth, no clicks.

 

[ferossan]

Thanks jazd for the pictures of the Mini 300. I have some questions for you: how big is the power supply compared to the amplifier (can you share a picture)? How does the volume knob feel? Is it made of plastic or metal?
Thanks

It is 140mm x 58mm