Topping A30Pro Review (Balanced Headphone Amp)

[sweetchaos]

Topping (in the past 24hrs) updated their website and released a landing page for the Topping A30Pro:
https://www.tpdz.net/productinfo/590764.html

Their AP measurements show:

Spoiler

Specs and useful info:

Spoiler

 

[Giangi71]

Better A90 or A30 Pro?

 

[jannek]

Do you have a balanced headphone cable? Do you need preamp function?

 

[Giangi71]

Do you have a balanced headphone cable? Do you need preamp function?

I use it eventually with 2xlr 2xlr balanced cable to a Matrix mini-I 3 Pro as a dac but only for headsets. I use often low impedance and medium/high sensible headsets balanced and SE

 

[antony.h]

How do I compare this with A90? If my monitors have ground-loop noise issue, are the RCA outputs on A30Pro low noise enough which I do not have to worry about getting balanced output to my monitors?
Any advice and suggestion would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[bahamot]

How do I compare this with A90? If my monitors have ground-loop noise issue, are the RCA outputs on A30Pro low noise enough which I do not have to worry about getting balanced output to my monitors?
Any advice and suggestion would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

A30pro has a switch to disconnect/connect the ground, so ground loop won't be an issue.

 

[Racheski]

A30pro has a switch to disconnect/connect the ground, so ground loop won't be an issue.

I don't think that will affect a ground loop to his speakers; could be wrong tho.

 

[Giangi71]

Which main differences between A30 Pro and A90? Which one could be better for me that I use only as a headset amp (no preamp) with mainly low impedance and medium/high sensible headsets with or without balanced? I eventually connect via 2xlr 2xlr the amp to a Matrix mini-I 3 Pro only as a dac. Thanks a lot

 

[Veri]

Which main differences between A30 Pro and A90? Which one could be better for me that I use only as a headset amp (no preamp) with mainly low impedance and medium/high sensible headsets with or without balanced?

A90 gives you the possibility of true balanced output, and has pre-amp if you later need it. Otherwise A30 Pro is fine, in high gain it'll be WAY too loud for your gear though, so stick to low or middle gain.

 

[antony.h]

A90 gives you the possibility of true balanced output, and has pre-amp if you later need it. Otherwise A30 Pro is fine, in high gain it'll be WAY too loud for your gear though, so stick to low or middle gain.

I have a pair of Fostex Planar T60RP headphone. Would A90 drive them? I need pre-amp function to my active speakers.

 

[Veri]

I have a pair of Fostex Planar T60RP headphone. Would A90 drive them? I need pre-amp function to my active speakers.

Yes, sure. A90 with balanced input is very powerful. Not a problem.

 

[Racheski]

Unless you have electrostats, I believe the answer to "will the A90 drive XYZ headphone" is always YES.

 

[Giangi71]

I think, however, A90 is better than A30 Pro. A30 Pro is a right compromise, but A90 is A90. But the price...

 

[shinytoaster]

The XLR and 1/4 HP out are the same output just a different connector right? So how is amirm getting different results for the distortion vs power @ 300 Ohm? I suppose connector and cable differences could account for the small difference in power but that blip thats only on medium gain on XLR is odd. Not suggesting anything just curious.

 

[antony.h]

I think, however, A90 is better than A30 Pro. A30 Pro is a right compromise, but A90 is A90. But the price...

I mean no offence here. I would like to know why did you come up with this conclusion.

 

[ninetylol]

I mean no offence here. I would like to know why did you come up with this conclusion.

more power + preamp feature?

 

[Giangi71]

[QUOTE = "antony.h, post: 724560, member: 28030"] Non intendo offendere qui. Vorrei sapere perché sei arrivato a questa conclusione. [/ QUOTE]
Because is however fully balanced and has preamp functionality. More power too only for 150usd more

 

[Giangi71]

more power + preamp feature?

Yes, more power, fully balanced and preamp only for 150usd more

 

[jannek]

As far as I understood you in post #630 you need neither preamp function nor serious power.

 

[antony.h]

I need pre-amp feature to push my Adam T5V active monitors. I'm using my Korg DAC XLR output to drive them directly. Not quite loud enough. I have to use almost 90% volume most of the time. And I'm using JDS Atom to drive my headphones. It can just sufficient power enough to drive Fostex T60RP planar headphones. It drives my Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro and DT1990 well.

I'm now considering to get Gustard X16 + Topping A90 combo. Or Topping D30Pro + Topping A90.