Topping A50 III

[byazici]

Just wanted to remind Topping that a massive number of people are probably waiting for the measurements of this amp. It would be amazing, you know, if possible, Topping guys could send a unit to Amir ASAP Thank you. Best.

 

[Roland68]

Just wanted to remind Topping that a massive number of people are probably waiting for the measurements of this amp. It would be amazing, you know, if possible, Topping guys could send a unit to Amir ASAP Thank you. Best.

I don't think that many people are waiting for it and why should a test be necessary?
Topping has already published measurements with the AP and so far they have been reliable.

The measured values and data compared to the predecessor, the A50s, have not changed. Oh, one of them has, THD+N is a whole 0.00001% lower, but that is already within the range of measurement inaccuracy.
I know, I'm mean.

The amplifier chip is also still the same, with the NFCA circuit.
The device has improved in terms of functionality, 3 gain levels instead of 2, balanced and SE input (switch on the back) and trigger input.
But unfortunately there is no longer a preamp output.

The A50s has always been one of the best, but also the most underestimated and ignored HPAs on the market.
I don't think there will be any audible difference to the A50III, not even a hint or minimally noticeable.

 

[byazici]

Im sorry that you are lonely, deprived of love and friendship

Just to push you over the edge, would also love to see measurements for the JDS Atom DAC 2, so there…

 

[Roland68]

Im sorry that you are lonely, deprived of love and friendship

Just to push you over the edge, would also love to see measurements for the JDS Atom DAC 2, so there…

...

 

[byazici]

Nah, just f in with ya…

Actually, what youre stating is correct and most of the amp is similar to A50s, however, I would like to have seen what Amir measures and thinks of the balanced TRS inputs and the possible D50 III stack. Other than that, I was not expecting critical differences.

I still wanna see the JDS review tho…

 

[BlackTalon]

I still wanna see the JDS review tho…

Easiest way is to buy one and ship it to Amir.

 

[maximit]

Im also curios about it as well. Specifically why they only show power measurements for 16ohm on SE connection and start from 32ohm for balanced out. Their other amps (except the A50s) they publish the power at 16ohm for both. Would be interesting if it will match the L30 II/L50 for output power into 12ohm.

 

[ziggurcat]

So I just got a D50 III DAC, and now it has me curious about the A50 III headphone amp. I currently have the L50 headphone amp, and one of the things I really like about it is it has a passthrough feature because I can connect to the L50 via TRS, then TRS out from the L50 to the PA5 II, and have a nice, clean connection chain in my desktop system.

I have noticed that the A50 III does not have any sort of passthrough function, so my question would be: what is the easiest, cleanest way to achieve the same setup that I have with the A50 III?

 

[staticV3]

what is the easiest, cleanest way to achieve the same setup that I have with the A50 III?

Connect one Amp via TRS and the other via RCA.

Then switch the D50III output according to which one you want to use.

Edit:
On the D50III remote you can create one preset for TRS out and one for RCA out.

Then you can switch between with a single button press.

Or, you can keep both D50III outputs active and manage which Amp is playing by turning them on and off.

 

[ziggurcat]

Connect one Amp via TRS and the other via RCA.

Then switch the D50III output according to which one you want to use.

That's what I figured, but I also wanted to maintain a TRS connection all the way through to both amplifiers

 

[staticV3]

That's what I figured, but I also wanted to maintain a TRS connection all the way through to both amplifiers

You can plug both into the TRS output using TRS splitter cables.

Though you'd likely have to make your own splitters as I'd assume the vast majority of 1/4" TRS splitters on the market are wired for Stereo single-ended audio which wouldn't work for this purpose.

 

[ziggurcat]

You can plug both into the TRS output using TRS splitter cables.

Though you'd likely have to make your own splitters as I'd assume the vast majority of 1/4" TRS splitters on the market are wired for Stereo single-ended audio which wouldn't work for this purpose.

Yeah, that's the other problem - there aren't any splitter cables that are 2 split into 4 connectors.

 

[staticV3]

Yeah, that's the other problem - there aren't any splitter cables that are 2 split into 4 connectors.

Actually, I just looked and these seem to be more common than I thought:

Hosa Tech YPP-118 Splitkabel 0,2 m bei uns günstig einkaufen | Deut...

Stecker A: Klinke stereo, Stecker B: Klinke female stereo, Mantel: PVC.

www.musicstore.de

Livewire Essential Headphone Splitter 1/4" TRS Male to Dual 1/4" TRS Female | Guitar Center

Shop for the Livewire Essential Headphone Splitter 1/4" TRS Male to Dual 1/4" TRS Female in and receive free shipping and guaranteed lowest price.

www.guitarcenter.com

https://www.amazon.com/TISINO-Splitter-Stereo-Female-Quarter/dp/B0892R6FSW

Stereo to 2x Stereo should work just fine, though I'd double check with a multimeter that there are no shorts.

 

[ziggurcat]

Actually, I just looked and these seem to be more common than I thought:

Hosa Tech YPP-118 Splitkabel 0,2 m bei uns günstig einkaufen | Deut...

Stecker A: Klinke stereo, Stecker B: Klinke female stereo, Mantel: PVC.

www.musicstore.de

Livewire Essential Headphone Splitter 1/4" TRS Male to Dual 1/4" TRS Female | Guitar Center

Shop for the Livewire Essential Headphone Splitter 1/4" TRS Male to Dual 1/4" TRS Female in and receive free shipping and guaranteed lowest price.

www.guitarcenter.com

https://www.amazon.com/TISINO-Splitter-Stereo-Female-Quarter/dp/B0892R6FSW

Stereo to 2x Stereo should work just fine, though I'd double check with a multimeter that there are no shorts.

Hmm... I'm the kind of person who doesn't want to get into using multimeters for my systems. My understanding of how the connections would work would be: connect a splitter into the left TRS and another into the right TRS output of the D50 III, then from the left connect two TRS cables, and run them to the left channels of the A50 III and PA5 II. Repeat the same with the right D50 III output. Would that be the correct understanding? It all seems unnecessarily complicated

If I even decide to go for the A50 III - because I know my dumb brain, I will probably end up convincing myself at some point - I think it would be a matter of being okay with sacrificing a fully balanced system, and doing what you first mentioned. The D50 III has the ability to save two profiles, so I can set one for balanced and another for SE, and switch at the press of a button instead of going into the menu every time. Or treat myself to the A70 Pro if it does passthrough (I know it has inputs/outputs, but I think maybe that's a pre-amp thing more than a passthrough).

Ultimately, though, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the L50 I have, and for how I have things set up, the passthrough function is really ideal. However, if the A50 III edges out the L50 on paper, however inaudible it may be, I tend to go for the extra bit of edge.

 

[staticV3]

Would that be the correct understanding?

Yes.

It all seems unnecessarily complicated

Correct. TRS to one Amp and RCA to the other would be the rational choice.

 

[ziggurcat]

Correct. TRS to one Amp and RCA to the other would be the rational choice.

I wish more of their headphone amps had a passthrough. I think the A30 Pro does have a passthrough as well, but because I'm not so up on headphone amp specs, I don't even know whether the A30 Pro would be a step up, down or a lateral move from the L50 (though, the A30 Pro review here seems to indicate it's a really good headphone amp).

 

[Roland68]

I wish more of their headphone amps had a passthrough. I think the A30 Pro does have a passthrough as well, but because I'm not so up on headphone amp specs, I don't even know whether the A30 Pro would be a step up, down or a lateral move from the L50 (though, the A30 Pro review here seems to indicate it's a really good headphone amp).

The A30 Pro would not be an upgrade to the L50, almost the same measurements and minimally more power.
Alternatively, I would bring the L70 from Topping into play. Absolute channel equality thanks to the relay-based volume control, double the power, built-in power supply and remote control.

Alternatively, you could build or buy an XLR switch.

 

[ziggurcat]

The A30 Pro would not be an upgrade to the L50, almost the same measurements and minimally more power.
Alternatively, I would bring the L70 from Topping into play. Absolute channel equality thanks to the relay-based volume control, double the power, built-in power supply and remote control.

Alternatively, you could build or buy an XLR switch.

Definitely a lot to think about! Though, I think the more this specific conversation progresses, the more I'm convinced that the L50 I currently have is not going anywhere.

 

[Roland68]

Definitely a lot to think about! Though, I think the more this specific conversation progresses, the more I'm convinced that the L50 I currently have is not going anywhere.

The appeal of the new is understandable, but in this case it is probably not an upgrade. The L50 seems to fit perfectly in your setup.
Since the A50 III uses the same circuitry and amplifier ICs as the A50S, there shouldn't be any big surprises. The A50S and the L50 were both measured at eye level and are already in the top places in terms of measurement technology.
I had both on my desk and the L50 stayed. It also has the advantage that it delivers high performance with any headphones and you don't need an additional balanced cable.

 

[ziggurcat]

The appeal of the new is understandable, but in this case it is probably not an upgrade. The L50 seems to fit perfectly in your setup.
Since the A50 III uses the same circuitry and amplifier ICs as the A50S, there shouldn't be any big surprises. The A50S and the L50 were both measured at eye level and are already in the top places in terms of measurement technology.
I had both on my desk and the L50 stayed. It also has the advantage that it delivers high performance with any headphones and you don't need an additional balanced cable.

Yeah, I can be a sucker for that sometimes. In the end, I think the money would be better spent on a nice pair of headphones instead, but that's a whole other thing I know nothing about (and won't get into it here). Also, if I didn't have external speakers, I probably wouldn't have given it a second thought, and purchased the A50 III anyway. I have a few other questions about the L50, but I will do that in the appropriate thread.

Thank you both (yourself and @staticV3 ) for being so kind with your advice/insight.

Edit: One of the things that I think caused me to start this discussion was that the headphone output isn't balanced, despite having the XLR connector on the front.