Topping A90 Discrete Review (Headphone Amp & Preamp)

[Music1969]

I use my A90D almost daily since my purchase, and I enjoyed it very much... That's why this is quite devastating to me personally.

Yeh its good if matched to good DAC (low output impedance)

What DAC you use it with?

The newer A70 Pro is even better but doesnt look as nice, to me

Because I really loved the dot matrix volume display of the A90D when I had it - best looking headphone amp , maybe ever at any price, in my opinion

 

[inscythe]

What DAC you use it with?

D90SE for a matching look.

 

[nico1]

The A90D display of -5 indicates that the headphone protection was triggered by detecting a DC voltage exceeding the threshold. If left unprotected, the headphones may be damaged.
If the A90D is not connected to any input, power off for 5 minutes and then restart and no longer show -5, this means that the DC voltage introduced from the input. Generally speaking, there is more DC voltage for low frequency sounds. And the higher the gain and volume settings, the greater the amplification, will lead to the DC voltage is more amplified, more than a certain amount will trigger this protection.

If this happens frequently, it is recommended that can change songs or turn down the volume or gain.

Can anyone confirm that if this doesn’t fix the problem my unit is faulty, so I have to send it to Topping in China to get it fixed/replaced? Aren’t there any other known practices in order to fix the problem myself?

 

[Snoopy]

Can anyone confirm that if this doesn’t fix the problem my unit is faulty, so I have to send it to Topping in China to get it fixed/replaced? Aren’t there any other known practices in order to fix the problem myself?

Maybe a DC blocker thing would help here?

 

[inscythe]

Can anyone confirm that if this doesn’t fix the problem my unit is faulty, so I have to send it to Topping in China to get it fixed/replaced? Aren’t there any other known practices in order to fix the problem myself?

This happened to my unit, remaining at -5 even when there is nothing connected to it. My unit is being returned to China to be fixed/replaced. Hopefully Topping can diagnose the problem so that it won't happen again.

 

[escalibur]

Can anyone confirm that if this doesn’t fix the problem my unit is faulty, so I have to send it to Topping in China to get it fixed/replaced? Aren’t there any other known practices in order to fix the problem myself?

I suggest that you contact Topping's support and ask them about your options. https://www.tpdz.net/contact

Gladly my unit was worked flawlessly after my previous report. *knock knock* Hopefully it will continue to work, because I would not like to send my unit to China and probably wait forever until it is fixed or replaced.

 

[Lupin]

Hopefully it will continue to work, because I would not like to send my unit to China and probably wait forever until it is fixed or replaced.

That's why I spend a little bit more on my stack and got it from a European reseller. No need to play the package to China roulette that way.

 

[nico1]

Can anyone confirm that if this doesn’t fix the problem my unit is faulty, so I have to send it to Topping in China to get it fixed/replaced? Aren’t there any other known practices in order to fix the problem myself?

Update: I've left the AMP turned on with the "-5" for 24 hours with no input connected (XLRs and the headphones 4.4mm cable), today I woke up and now it's working again. I hope this won't happen anymore.

 

[Cruzer1048]

Update: I've left the AMP turned on with the "-5" for 24 hours with no input connected (XLRs and the headphones 4.4mm cable), today I woke up and now it's working again. I hope this won't happen anymore.

I am trying that as a last resort. The "-5" happened yesterday. I've been looking at this forum to find a solution. I will let you know what 24 hours will do. Wish me luck!

 

[Music1969]

I am trying that as a last resort. The "-5" happened yesterday. I've been looking at this forum to find a solution. I will let you know what 24 hours will do. Wish me luck!

Send it back (to Topping via your seller).

Its the best way for Topping to improve their design and quality control (seeing more units coming back to the factory lol)

 

[Jimster480]

Send it back (to Topping via your seller).

Its the best way for Topping to improve their design and quality control (seeing more units coming back to the factory lol)

Can't blame you there. I mean they need to understand that making stuff that doesn't last and charging a ton for it isn't going to work. My original Topping products never had an issue and they are 6-7y old now... I guess we would have to question though how many actually failed vs how many were sold.

 

[Music1969]

Can't blame you there. I mean they need to understand that making stuff that doesn't last and charging a ton for it isn't going to work. My original Topping products never had an issue and they are 6-7y old now... I guess we would have to question though how many actually failed vs how many were sold.

Agreed we don't have the failure rates but still, nobody should put up with poor quality and wait to ask if others are having issues and how to fix

Don't waste time - send it back

The product in this thread is not cheap.

In time QA/QC will improve quickly, if they get to analyse all the returns / faults

 

[Cruzer1048]

Agreed we don't have the failure rates but still, nobody should put up with poor quality and wait to ask if others are having issues and how to fix

Don't waste time - send it back

The product in this thread is not cheap.

In time QA/QC will improve quickly, if they get to analyse all the returns / faults

Great advice, I shipped it back yesterday. Cheers!

 

[Tank81]

I cannot recommend this amp. Sure it sounds great. Had it 2 months when suddenly while gaming im hearing this piercing "pop pop crack" sound from my left driver. Restarted all and same thing happened after 30mins of use now giving me error -5code. Realising i just damaged my focal clear mg headphones I asked topping about this and they asked me to post video what is going on... after that they said that my unit needs to be sent to China for some "sensitivity adjustements." I even tried to check what version this unit had but then it was giving me error -2 code.
I contacted the seller and sent unit back to them. Now I dont have amplifier and im left with possible damage on my Focal clear mg:s. I still hear some crack sounds from time to time from left driver when listening using Ifi neo. Im not sure who is responsible for fixing these focal clears now and Im not sure can I trust that after "new adjustments" my unit would be fine.

 

[chrisby]

Heard a loud pop w/ mine td, it's showing a -4.

Is there a list of error codes somewhere? Scoured the internet and couldn't find them. Would help w/ diagnosis.

Going to work on RMAing it, have had it since Jan and was really enjoying the product :/

 

[Tank81]

Heard a loud pop w/ mine td, it's showing a -4.

Is there a list of error codes somewhere? Scoured the internet and couldn't find them. Would help w/ diagnosis.

Going to work on RMAing it, have had it since Jan and was really enjoying the product :/

Error Code	Cause Analysis	Troubleshooting / Solution
-2/-3/-4	1. Too high temperature 2. Overload 3. Too low load impedance or short-circuit load 4. Unit may be defective	1. Unplug the power supply and reboot A90D after the unit cools down. Put A90D in an environment with good heat dissipation. 2. Try to turn down the volume level and reboot A90D 3. Check the output connection and check if the downstream devices are defective. 4. Disconnect all the inputs and outputs of A90D and reboot. If that still not works, unit is considered defective. Note: The V2.0 firmware fixed the -4 problem, if you meet this situation, please try to upgrade the newest firmware firstly.
-5	1. Abnormal headphone amplifier DC 2. Unit may be defective	1. Try to turn down the volume level, and reboot A90D after it cools down (in 1 minute). 2. Disconnect all the inputs and outputs, and reboot A90D after it cools down. If that still not works, unit is considered defective.
-7	Incorrect firmware version	Upgrade the correct version of firmware.

 

[metasharp]

That's unfortunate, especially considering it's supposed to have ESD and DC protection as stated here:

Topping, SMSL, ... ESD & DC Protection

Hi all, I asked SMSL and Topping for my own needs about some products since their documentation wasn't clear to me and got answers from them. SMSL SU-9 Pro Topping A90 Discrete Topping LA90 AB They all have a proper ESD and DC protection. Feel free to add more info in comments regarding those...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I hope your headphones aren't damaged.

 

[aphysically]

I cannot recommend this amp. Sure it sounds great. Had it 2 months when suddenly while gaming im hearing this piercing "pop pop crack" sound from my left driver. Restarted all and same thing happened after 30mins of use now giving me error -5code. Realising i just damaged my focal clear mg headphones I asked topping about this and they asked me to post video what is going on... after that they said that my unit needs to be sent to China for some "sensitivity adjustements." I even tried to check what version this unit had but then it was giving me error -2 code.
I contacted the seller and sent unit back to them. Now I dont have amplifier and im left with possible damage on my Focal clear mg:s. I still hear some crack sounds from time to time from left driver when listening using Ifi neo. Im not sure who is responsible for fixing these focal clears now and Im not sure can I trust that after "new adjustments" my unit would be fine.

What month and year did you buy the A90 Discrete?

I wonder if Topping has/is planning on making the same changes to the modules in the A90D that were apparently made (?) in the LA90D modules

Any update on your headphones? Is topping doing anything?

 

[Tank81]

What month and year did you buy the A90 Discrete?

I wonder if Topping has/is planning on making the same changes to the modules in the A90D that were apparently made (?) in the LA90D modules

Any update on your headphones? Is topping doing anything?

I got new amp from Audiophonics. Im just going to sell it. Original was bought 4/23. I was told that theres quite a few broken ones. I didnt reciave any mail considering my headphones. I hope my home insurance is going to cover that.

 

[aphysically]

I got new amp from Audiophonics. Im just going to sell it. Original was bought 4/23. I was told that theres quite a few broken ones. I didnt reciave any mail considering my headphones. I hope my home insurance is going to cover that.

Hmmmmm, I might look to replace my A90D at some point if we don't have any statement from @JohnYang1997 on the status of the modules in this device. I'm a bit nervous after my LA90D double failure :\. I'm not sure there's other good options out there that allow balanced input/output, work as preamp, have remote control, and have dimmable front. The Benchmark maybe? I will look at it - hopefully its screen auto dims (anybody know?)