Topping A70 Pro HP & Preamp Review

[marcom22]

Nope! I made an account just to post here because I've been so frustrated with this amp! I've bought two from Apos (bought the second because I didn't want to wait for the RMA from the first) and both units cut out when connected via a computer. I don't understand I've tried so many different DACs, sources, headphones, etc. I did notice that it consistently cuts out at the same parts of specific songs with alot of low end, and that the first amp did, but the second amp's sound doesnt cut out when using my phone as a source. I finally reached out to topping because I figured the odds of two amps doing this, is slim so it must be me. Nope, they ended up telling me to basically "switch songs or return the amp" which is crazy to me because I have a portable DAC/amp (FiiO Q11) that can drive my headphones louder and without having to carefully select the "right" music. What kind of $500 amp only plays certain music, but is supposed to be able to deliver 17 watts per channel?

They stated that this was because of the DC protection. I did send an email asking if they can somehow ship me a firmware that cancels this DC protection and allow me to sign a waiver in the event my amp/myself blows up. Still waiting on a response.
I absolutely love the sound and features/aesthetics of the amp and want to be able to enjoy it with my gf, or I'd try something different. super frustrating either way.
P. S. My amps haven't made a clicking noise, but instead the FFT falls completely and the sound cuts out with a small pop in my headphones. Turning it down substantially to almost quiet listening levels helps, but then what is the point of the amp?

Good morning and Thanks for the post I was thinkin I was crazy.
Same problem as yours and I wrote to Topping. They don't know what to say. I noticed that it happens not at very high volumes (around -18db) and always on specific songs. As you wrote in the POST SCRIPTUM, turning it down helps but it means using the amplifier at 20% (if it can even be called an amplifier).
Last but not least Topping (the specialist support) also wrote to me that it is because of the protection, in this case the protection comes into play to save my headphones which according to them cannot handle this load ??????? ??? For me it's crazy ...... and for me it's an amplifier that not maintains what tells ......... It's a Lie a BIG Lie !!

@amirm sorry if I call you into question ..... but If our Amps goes in protection how were you able to measure it with your equipment? No problems on your side? No protection kick-in?

 

[Music1969]

When did you guys purchase? Which month

 

[marcom22]

When did you guys purchase? Which month

Jaanuary 2024, last firmware and no problem in PREAMP mode

 

[Music1969]

Jaanuary 2024, last firmware and no problem in PREAMP mode

I wonder if your signal is clipping, if it happens at same point of songs... that is a good clue

From memory you are doing EQ... probably not enough headroom.

Add -3dB extra headroom to your EQ

 

[marcom22]

I wonder if your signal is clipping, if it happens at same point of songs... that is a good clue

From memory you are doing EQ... probably not enough headroom.

Add -3dB extra headroom to your EQ

I use amirm Eq parametric setting for my Sundara.

P.s. the signal never goes in clipping, from Jriver view and from FFT A70 view

 

[Imaraptor]

Also want to clarify, I am on the most up to date firmware and was on both amps. I don't have voltage tester things, and wouldn't know where to really begin. However, the amos cuts out at the same parts of specific songs even if no headphones are connected.

Thanks for anyone's help

Good morning and Thanks for the post I was thinkin I was crazy.
Same problem as yours and I wrote to Topping. They don't know what to say. I noticed that it happens not at very high volumes (around -18db) and always on specific songs. As you wrote in the POST SCRIPTUM, turning it down helps but it means using the amplifier at 20% (if it can even be called an amplifier).
Last but not least Topping (the specialist support) also wrote to me that it is because of the protection, in this case the protection comes into play to save my headphones which according to them cannot handle this load ??????? ??? For me it's crazy ...... and for me it's an amplifier that not maintains what tells ......... It's a Lie a BIG Lie !!

@amirm sorry if I call you into question ..... but If our Amps goes in protection how were you able to measure it with your equipment? No problems on your side? No protection kick-in?

Yup! Mine goes out right around the same volume, but I've seen the audio cut out even as high as -30dB. It occurs more frequently when listening to music louder at around -18db.
I have tried it with and without EQ, and the audio has cut out both times. I am using equalizer APO and have a pre-amp offset to ensure that it doesn't clip. Topping has been kind of suggesting that it is because of the hip hop I was listening to (they asked for a video and in it, I just happened to be listening to hip hop) so they want another video of the amp playing classical music.
I don't think they could blame the headphones, as mine will cut out without headphones attached. I can tell because I go to the same parts on certain songs and the FFT visualizer will fall as if there is no music playing before it comes back.
These songs don't clip whenever I use my phone as a source or whenever I use literally any other dac/amp combo. I have tried different dacs and different headphones with different cables with both of the amps that I bought and nothing seems to be alleviating this issue. I have even tried -10dB offsets through EQ and still get clipping when adjusting the volume to compensate for the offset.

 

[marcom22]

Also want to clarify, I am on the most up to date firmware and was on both amps. I don't have voltage tester things, and wouldn't know where to really begin. However, the amos cuts out at the same parts of specific songs even if no headphones are connected.

Thanks for anyone's help

Yup! Mine goes out right around the same volume, but I've seen the audio cut out even as high as -30dB. It occurs more frequently when listening to music louder at around -18db.
I have tried it with and without EQ, and the audio has cut out both times. I am using equalizer APO and have a pre-amp offset to ensure that it doesn't clip. Topping has been kind of suggesting that it is because of the hip hop I was listening to (they asked for a video and in it, I just happened to be listening to hip hop) so they want another video of the amp playing classical music.
I don't think they could blame the headphones, as mine will cut out without headphones attached. I can tell because I go to the same parts on certain songs and the FFT visualizer will fall as if there is no music playing before it comes back.
These songs don't clip whenever I use my phone as a source or whenever I use literally any other dac/amp combo. I have tried different dacs and different headphones with different cables with both of the amps that I bought and nothing seems to be alleviating this issue. I have even tried -10dB offsets through EQ and still get clipping when adjusting the volume to compensate for the offset.

Correct, same behavior as me. What headphones do you use? ..... repeat for me it's an Ampli that not is capable of delivering what it declares with low sensitive\impedance headphones.

 

[Imaraptor]

When did you guys purchase? Which month

I purchased my first one and second one both from APOS (silver units if it matters) in February and both shipped with the most up-to-date firmware.

 

[Imaraptor]

Correct, same behavior as me. What headphones do you use? ..... repeat for me it's an Ampli that not is capable of delivering what it declares with low sensitive\impedance headphones.

I'm using the Hifiman Edition XS and Sennheiser HD 6XX

 

[marcom22]

I'm using the Hifiman Edition XS and Sennheiser HD 6XX

The problem is there with both Headphones?

 

[Imaraptor]

The problem is there with both Headphones?

I don't think it's related to the headphones at all. The sound cuts out WITHOUT anything connected to the amp. I can tell because of the FFT dropping out at the same parts of songs.

 

[Jimster480]

I don't think it's related to the headphones at all. The sound cuts out WITHOUT anything connected to the amp. I can tell because of the FFT dropping out at the same parts of songs.

Nope! I made an account just to post here because I've been so frustrated with this amp! I've bought two from Apos (bought the second because I didn't want to wait for the RMA from the first) and both units cut out when connected via a computer. I don't understand I've tried so many different DACs, sources, headphones, etc. I did notice that it consistently cuts out at the same parts of specific songs with alot of low end, and that the first amp did, but the second amp's sound doesnt cut out when using my phone as a source. I finally reached out to topping because I figured the odds of two amps doing this, is slim so it must be me. Nope, they ended up telling me to basically "switch songs or return the amp" which is crazy to me because I have a portable DAC/amp (FiiO Q11) that can drive my headphones louder and without having to carefully select the "right" music. What kind of $500 amp only plays certain music, but is supposed to be able to deliver 17 watts per channel?

They stated that this was because of the DC protection. I did send an email asking if they can somehow ship me a firmware that cancels this DC protection and allow me to sign a waiver in the event my amp/myself blows up. Still waiting on a response.
I absolutely love the sound and features/aesthetics of the amp and want to be able to enjoy it with my gf, or I'd try something different. super frustrating either way.
P. S. My amps haven't made a clicking noise, but instead the FFT falls completely and the sound cuts out with a small pop in my headphones. Turning it down substantially to almost quiet listening levels helps, but then what is the point of the amp?

Wow that is a pretty wild experience! What DAC are you driving it with? Maybe the DAC is outputting too much voltage?

I don't think it's related to the headphones at all. The sound cuts out WITHOUT anything connected to the amp. I can tell because of the FFT dropping out at the same parts of songs.

Where do you see the FFT?

 

[Imaraptor]

Wow that is a pretty wild experience! What DAC are you driving it with? Maybe the DAC is outputting too much voltage?



Where do you see the FFT?

I've tried multiple DACs. Not a huge amount, but I've used the FiiO K11, and SMSL D12.
I don't think it's the DACs either because I've been able to drive the K11 with more than one headphone plugged into it so that my girlfriend and I could listen together (original reason I bought the A70 Pro) and we have gotten the K11 louder with two headphones plugged in than we have gotten the A70 pro. That's what has been so frustrating about this experience. These DAC/amp combos from Fiio have been "beating" the actual Topping A70 Pro in actual "amplification."
I've been wanting to upgrade to the Topping D70 Pro (DAC) but now I'm honestly having second thoughts. Might go for the matrix audio mini I 4 instead.

I was watching the FFT on the A70 Pro and it's cutting out consistently at the same part of songs where it was cutting out with the headphones connected.

 

[marcom22]

Righ

Wow that is a pretty wild experience! What DAC are you driving it with? Maybe the DAC is outputting too much voltage?



Where do you see the FFT?

By my side I use SMSL SU-9 at fixed Volume = 5.2Vrms

 

[Music1969]

@Imaraptor @Imaraptor if it cuts out at same point of particular songs, it is impossible for us to try to reproduce it if you don't share specific details

Can you share the song, which streaming service and what time point it cuts out ?

Otherwise nobody can really help at all

 

[Imaraptor]

@Imaraptor @Imaraptor if it cuts out at same point of particular songs, it is impossible for us to try to reproduce it if you don't share specific details

Can you share the song, which streaming service and what time point it cuts out ?

Otherwise nobody can really help at all

I didn't listen much tonight, but could only see it cut out at "Zoe Osama - Underrated" at 0:30 seconds.
This is great news! I had been using my phone only with this amp for so long, I wonder if something just sort of "worn in."
There were numerous songs that I previously couldn't play and even have a video of it. I'm not sure of this forum's rules, but this was one of the first times I saw it cut out and recorded it for APOS.

New video by David Wall

photos.app.goo.gl

However, when I go back to this song and listen to it now, the amp isn't cutting out! Maybe this was the previous amp, but still, I'm just happy that its getting less sensitive. Previously I had alot of music in this playlist that would cut out, but here's music that was consistently cutting out (sorry for the the language and hip hop, I was researching some bay area artists when I encountered the problem):
All these are on Tidal and would typically have the sound cut out within the first 30 seconds, but it would occur multiple times during the song.
FivesUpRoddy - Free O
ScHoolboy Q - Yeern 101
Zoe Osama - Exciting
Nemzzz - ABC

Thanks for your help! Do you work for Topping?
I'm going to create a list of songs that cause this for my system and test them over time to see if it improves or if there is any variability between day-to-day.

 

[Jimster480]

Righ

By my side I use SMSL SU-9 at fixed Volume = 5.2Vrms

5.2VRMS is too high. Turn it down to 4VRMS.

 

[staticV3]

5.2VRMS is too high. Turn it down to 4VRMS.

The A70 Pro can take 10+Vrms. 5.2 is not a problem.

 

[Jimster480]

The A70 Pro can take 10+Vrms. 5.2 is not a problem.

Well if they are having problems, maybe it is a problem.

 

[marcom22]

Well if they are having problems, maybe it is a problem.

It's not a problem, thanks. The problem is other .......