Oh that’s a slight let down. I thought it’d be the same as the dx5ii which is a fairly nice machined aluminium knob
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Topping’s new amplifier - Mini300
- Thread starter Guddu
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- mini300 topping topping pa5
ziggurcat
Major Contributor
Because the Mini 300 is the exact same size as the PA5 II/Plus, and basically uses the same power supply as the Plus, you can check out the PA5 II review, which should have a scale comparison at the top of the review:
ziggurcat
Major Contributor
It looks like they are using the same volume dial as the DX5 II, so it shouldn't be plastic?
People said the dial on the DX5 II was also plastic, but the one with my silver DX5 II is not, so it might depend on the SKU you get (white or black, for example).
ziggurcat
Major Contributor
I don't see why not. Because it doesn't have a volume bypass, I think you'd just set the knob on the amp anywhere between 80-100% then control the volume from the WiiM Ultra.
Or you might be able to do as it's mentioned here:
3e audio A7/A7 Mono Amplifier Review
“SVS Ultra Center with 3e audio A5 stereo or A7 mono” Hello, I would like some help choosing one of the two amplifiers to drive my SVS Ultra center speaker on my AV setup. I am thinking to go with the 3e audio A7 mono or the 3e audio A5 stereo and Bi-amp the speaker. In my setup I have the...
www.audiosciencereview.com
My Mini 300 has just arrived as well.
The volume knob is aluminum (15 g), and the machining is acceptable.
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I don't see why not. Because it doesn't have a volume bypass, I think you'd just set the knob on the amp anywhere between 80-100% then control the volume from the WiiM Ultra.
Or you might be able to do as it's mentioned here:
3e audio A7/A7 Mono Amplifier Review
“SVS Ultra Center with 3e audio A5 stereo or A7 mono” Hello, I would like some help choosing one of the two amplifiers to drive my SVS Ultra center speaker on my AV setup. I am thinking to go with the 3e audio A7 mono or the 3e audio A5 stereo and Bi-amp the speaker. In my setup I have the...
Makes sense, can be done. set the Wiim to full volume, turn up the amp a tad louder than I would ever listen and leave it at that.
Space is limited, I may try a Wiim Amp Ultra
For a DAC like the Topping E30, which has an RCA output of 100 ohms, it is very good. For a Topping E50, which has a 20-ohm Single-Ended (SE) output and a 100-ohm Balanced output, looks even better.
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Chr1
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Just bought one on Aliexpress for £101 with discount. My first wee desktop amp since Topping made the TP60 almost 15 years ago. Had low impedance/sensitivity speakers at the time, so didn't keep it long.
My current passives have a benign impedance and are 97db, so keen to see how they are driven by this current offering. Took the plunge on the assumption that Topping have rectified the previous reliability issues, as mentioned here earlier. Seems like a great wee amp for 100 moneys.
My current passives have a benign impedance and are 97db, so keen to see how they are driven by this current offering. Took the plunge on the assumption that Topping have rectified the previous reliability issues, as mentioned here earlier. Seems like a great wee amp for 100 moneys.
The (black) Mini 300 I have definitely has an aluminum volume knob. I’m not sure if a plastic version was ever made.
But you can really only tell easily after removing it, as it feels like a cold “metal block.” Inside, it connects to the potentiometer shaft with a small plastic insert.
If anyone is interested in anything regarding its internal construction, feel free to ask — I’ll be happy to attach a picture.
melomane13
Active Member
I get your point. A 1 kΩ RCA input is low compared to the usual 10–100 kΩ. While it reduces thermal noise, it risks mismatching some DACs, affecting frequency response or level.
For the Topping DACs you mentioned, it’s acceptable, and even less of an issue for DACs with lower outputs.
Still, it’s an obvious design flaw, and honestly, it feels like a “Topping salesperson behind the keyboard” . I’d generally prefer amps with higher input impedance for full compatibility
You mean I look like a Topping salesman? Hahaha, that's really funny. I'm from ChilE, not ChinA, and of course, I have no affiliation with Topping. I simply don't see the design flaw that you see as so obvious. But of course, I respect your opinion.
ziggurcat
Major Contributor
So I have to wait a little longer for my Mini 300 -- the Aoshida store on Amazon let me know yesterday that the silver model won't be in stock until mid-December 
but that's okay, I can definitely wait.
but that's okay, I can definitely wait.
Fletcher Munson
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no one has tested its output load dependancy yet have they ? thats the key spec for me. the PA5II+ does quite well in that regard
ziggurcat
Major Contributor
I honestly wouldn't expect it to be much (if any) different than the PA5 II/Plus. Outside of some differences in a few of the internal components, the spec sheets show them to be virtually identical (+/- a 0.0001% difference here or there), IMO.
Ben Jenssen
Member
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- Sep 28, 2025
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I installed the Mini 300 tonight, replacing my Sony TA-FA30ES to drive my Dynaudio BM6 passives, and it's turning out quite good, I think.
I've been very happy with the E30II DAC, and the E2x2 for analog ins is OK also. I use it mostly for line inputs, digitizing vinyl, but I much prefer the E30II for my main DAC out.
Now that I use my mac from everything audio, I thought it'd be a good idea to get rid of the 20 pound heat generating Sony receiver, and this little baby shows up.
I struggled a bit with the Sony/E30II to set levels, and found in the end that I got the best results having the Sony at full volume, tone controls disabled of course, and the E30II at around -28db.
I was a bit shocked that the Mini 300 needed much higher input to give me the same kind of level out of the Dynaudios, but then I never used this kind of device before. After experimenting a bit, I've settled on having both the DAC and the Mini 300 at full output, and controlling levels from the mac. Rogue Amoeba Soundsource is a great tool for controlling anything core audio on the mac. This gives me good freq balance, detail, and seems on par with the Sony setup.
I know this is not 'science' and 'mesurements', and some will call this post worthless because of that, but it is what it is. I'm happy with the Mini 300. I'll be selling the hot and noisy Sony along with some other gear, and get back what I spent on this amp, and more.
I've been very happy with the E30II DAC, and the E2x2 for analog ins is OK also. I use it mostly for line inputs, digitizing vinyl, but I much prefer the E30II for my main DAC out.
Now that I use my mac from everything audio, I thought it'd be a good idea to get rid of the 20 pound heat generating Sony receiver, and this little baby shows up.
I struggled a bit with the Sony/E30II to set levels, and found in the end that I got the best results having the Sony at full volume, tone controls disabled of course, and the E30II at around -28db.
I was a bit shocked that the Mini 300 needed much higher input to give me the same kind of level out of the Dynaudios, but then I never used this kind of device before. After experimenting a bit, I've settled on having both the DAC and the Mini 300 at full output, and controlling levels from the mac. Rogue Amoeba Soundsource is a great tool for controlling anything core audio on the mac. This gives me good freq balance, detail, and seems on par with the Sony setup.
I know this is not 'science' and 'mesurements', and some will call this post worthless because of that, but it is what it is. I'm happy with the Mini 300. I'll be selling the hot and noisy Sony along with some other gear, and get back what I spent on this amp, and more.
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