Topping A90 Discrete Review (Headphone Amp & Preamp)

[Sokel]

The Lyr+ is actually supposed to arrive today.

Following plan: A90D vs. Lyr+ in a blind comparison.

The E50 DAC is connected to both amplifiers.
The amplifiers are connected to the x and y input and brought to the same volume.
(Play 1khz sine wave
Measure voltage including load (so parallel at the headphones), and measure the volume with a sound level meter.
Whereas it should actually be enough if I just take the sound level meter?!)

Then at the output from the trs switcher the headphones.
I will then ask a second person to plug the connectors coming from the 6.3mm outputs of the amplifiers, into the x and y inputs as they choose, and cover a certain area so I can't see where the cables are coming from.
I will then be able to switch back and forth between the amplifiers with an estimated millisecond interruption.

View attachment 257703

It would be exciting, of course, if I could hear a difference.
However, I don't expect to.

Any suggestions, or ideas for improvement?

Any news???

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

Yep

Topping A90D vs. Schiit Lyr+

Do all amplifiers sound the same? Or not?! Decide for yourself. The components: Topping A90D Arichitecture: discrete NFCA modules. https://www.tpdz.net/productinfo/852442.html Schiit LYR+ Architecture: Hybrid. 6SN7 tube in the preamplifier, and discrete output stage in Class AB operation...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Gggggas]

I've been watching and reading quite a few reviews about this particular amp, and nearly everyone seems to agree that the a90D is 'warmer' sounding than the original a90, last video I watched was Joshua Valour, he not only said that he noticed this difference but even blind tested himself and could dercen the difference form the two, I find this fascinating because we have two amps that technically should sound identical, especially given the measurements, so was this ever explained?

I personally noticed the warmer and punchier profile of the A90D immediately after plugging in my LCD-X/Arya. It is extremely obvious to me and definitely an upgrade compared to the A90.

 

[zhgutov]

Yep

This is my attempt of Topping A90D vs. Schiit Lyr+ comparison.
Anyway, I like both amps here

 

[Leiker535]

blind tested himself and could dercen the difference form the two

Don't take those affirmations at face value. Conducting blind tests is very hard and requires throughough methodology. A serious tester would know this and explain his methodology more or less extensively, so don't take an en passant mention of blind testing as indicative of anything, it most probably was not done correctly, without < 1db volume matching or even more than 10 tests at least to be statistically relevant.

 

[xellyeo]

I have a question, i recently bought a90d and i found out that when using the volume control theres a little disturb on the specific volume levels when the knob is clicking too. Its like a blink. Its on hearable on preamp too. Its very hearable on specific songs. Do you have it too?

 

[zhgutov]

I have a question, i recently bought a90d and i found out that when using the volume control theres a little disturb on the specific volume levels when the knob is clicking too. Its like a blink. Its on hearable on preamp too. Its very hearable on specific songs. Do you have it too?

Relatively small blink or click from time to time when you change the volume fast or slow, doesn't matter.
But I think this is inevitable, because the relays are switching, and this may be perceived differently for different volume positions.
The same thing happens when I change the digital volume on the device with 0.5 dB steps, but it sounds differently (of course).
And if you try something different, like Violectric, you will probably hear this better. A90D is smooth here.

 

[xellyeo]

Relatively small blink or click from time to time when you change the volume fast or slow, doesn't matter.
But I think this is inevitable, because the relays are switching, and this may be perceived differently for different volume positions.
The same thing happens when I change the digital volume on the device with 0.5 dB steps, but it sounds differently (of course).
And if you try something different, like Violectric, you will probably hear this better. A90D is smooth here.

okay, thanks. what dac are u using? Im searching for good replacement. i have e30 rn. the best will be d90 i guess but in my country is much more expensive than a90d

 

[zhgutov]

okay, thanks. what dac are u using? Im searching for good replacement. i have e30 rn. the best will be d90 i guess but in my country is much more expensive than a90d

I use D90SE as a main unit. But D90LE should be the same. I bought D90SE because it was available immediately.
You mean you have E30? Looks like a good one. Why you want to replace it?

 

[xellyeo]

I use D90SE as a main unit. But D90LE should be the same. I bought D90SE because it was available immediately.
You mean you have E30? Looks like a good one. Why you want to replace it?

need balanced dac and just searching for something new

 

[Music1969]

Has there been hardware changes since July 2022 stock?

Or only firmware?

 

[Music1969]

I got my replacement A90D back from Apos after the fatal -5 error code. Has anyone heard what's going on with all these -5 failures? I'm afraid it will happen again after my warranty is up and I'm SOL.

All good with your replacement unit ?

 

[wimawow]

I have been comparing the Gustard H16 against this discrete Topping and I have to give the Nod to Topping. The sound is great on both but Topping is a little more detailed but this is a subtle difference. On the Gustard both headphone and pre-out output at the same time and can't be switched. The Topping can switch outputs and I need this. The Topping also seems to have a more powerful amp. I can get much louder volumes on my hd650s, even in low gain, on the Topping. These things make it a no contest for me. This thing is amazing!

 

[WeBuild4Life]

Hi, from which reseller did you buy it? If I pull the trigger on this I would love it to work perfectly out of the box..

I bought from Hifi College on Amazon (reseller on the generally listing) they are an authorized dealer, and also super helpful. I received an obviously open box item (because amazon) they gave me 10% off and extended the warranty to 2 years.

 

[Music1969]

I love the look of A90D compared to my SMSL SP400.

That dot matrix volume display is super sexy

But I prefer the reliability of my SP400 lol

I might wait a few months for their more mature hardware revisions

Would be interesting to see PCB rev number for June 2022 purchase vs current purchase

 

[pouni]

Hi together, I have the A90 discrete and i would like to add Genelec 8020 active studio monitors. I think everything should be fine if I connect the Genelecs via XLR to the preamp output of the A90 discrete. ist this right?

 

[Shakes]

Hi together, I have the A90 discrete and i would like to add Genelec 8020 active studio monitors. I think everything should be fine if I connect the Genelecs via XLR to the preamp output of the A90 discrete. ist this right?

I have my 8030C wired to the XLR out of an A90D and it works great

 

[pouni]

I have my 8030C wired to the XLR out of an A90D and it works great

Great, thanks!

 

[wimawow]

Has anyone tried to connect an EXT90 to the A90D? I'm curious how do you switch to an EXT input and how do you see it has been selected? The manual presumes the connection is to the Pre90 which can display the inputs as Ext1, 2, 3, etc. I'm not sure if the A90D can display this information.

 

[dartinbout]

Has anyone tried to connect an EXT90 to the A90D? I'm curious how do you switch to an EXT input and how do you see it has been selected? The manual presumes the connection is to the Pre90 which can display the inputs as Ext1, 2, 3, etc. I'm not sure if the A90D can display this information.

I have. As you cycle through the EXT90 inputs, the "dot matrix", on the A90D, briefly shows the number of the input and then changes to the last volume level. The normal RCA and XLR, on the base unit, just shows the individual pinhole light and then the last volume.