Topping A90 Discrete Review (Headphone Amp & Preamp)

[DivineCurrent]

I'm considering the A90 Discrete to drive my HE6se, as my ADI-2 DAC is not loud enough for very quiet music. Will the A90 D be as reliable as other options, or should I consider something else? This amp seems to have mixed reviews in terms of quality control.

 

[Luvchampagne]

I'm looking at the A90 Discrete, L70 or the Pre90 as a preamp.
Currently have Mac Air (Source and EQ) ->
RME ADI2 DAC FS -> Amps (XLR) -> Salon2
|-> Subwoofers (RCA)

Just on the feature set, I would prefer the L70 or A90 Discrete due to the 12v trigger, Gnd lift, and Display. Remote seems to be a little less finicky on these 2 vs. the Pre90.

Based on ASR and Google/Reddit, there seems to be a number of failures on the A90 Discrete. Even more concerning, are the multiple instances of damage to headphones from A90 Discrete. Fact or fiction?

I have not come across damages to equipment from L70 but have seen an instance or two of equipment failures.

So far no reports I have found of damage to equipment on the Pre90 and no mention of equipment failure. Does the lack of a high power headphone amp increase the reliability of the Pre90? Wish it had a better display and had a 12V trigger.

Can people chime in on reliability and/or instances of damage to equipment on the A90 Discrete or L70 or Pre90?

Can someone comment on cost cutting efforts on the L70 vs. A90 Discrete? Any negative impact on performance?

Thank you in advance.

 

[Roland68]

I'm looking at the A90 Discrete, L70 or the Pre90 as a preamp.
Currently have Mac Air (Source and EQ) ->
RME ADI2 DAC FS -> Amps (XLR) -> Salon2
|-> Subwoofers (RCA)

Just on the feature set, I would prefer the L70 or A90 Discrete due to the 12v trigger, Gnd lift, and Display. Remote seems to be a little less finicky on these 2 vs. the Pre90.

Based on ASR and Google/Reddit, there seems to be a number of failures on the A90 Discrete. Even more concerning, are the multiple instances of damage to headphones from A90 Discrete. Fact or fiction?

I have not come across damages to equipment from L70 but have seen an instance or two of equipment failures.

So far no reports I have found of damage to equipment on the Pre90 and no mention of equipment failure. Does the lack of a high power headphone amp increase the reliability of the Pre90? Wish it had a better display and had a 12V trigger.

Can people chime in on reliability and/or instances of damage to equipment on the A90 Discrete or L70 or Pre90?

Can someone comment on cost cutting efforts on the L70 vs. A90 Discrete? Any negative impact on performance?

Thank you in advance.

With the RME ADI2 DAC FS, you already have a perfect preamp. Adding an additional device to the chain won't improve anything.

Even more concerning, are the multiple instances of damage to headphones from A90 Discrete. Fact or fiction?

Can you post examples, or is this just more empty scaremongering?

 

[Aeterne]

I'm considering the A90 Discrete to drive my HE6se, as my ADI-2 DAC is not loud enough for very quiet music. Will the A90 D be as reliable as other options, or should I consider something else? This amp seems to have mixed reviews in terms of quality control.

I want to know the same, really.

I just acquired the A90 (non-discrete), for a really decent price here in my country, and now after having gone through this thread feeling a slight buyer's remorse. I suppose around 250-260 dollars isn't too shabby for a A90.

I'm using it with Hifiman He400SE but hoping to step into HE6SE V2 territory, but will it be lacking? Routing it by a ZOOM UAC-2 DAC.

Will it provide insufficient wattage for an HE6SE? Will I have to settle for an Arya or Edition XS?

 

[staticV3]

I'm using it with Hifiman He400SE but hoping to step into HE6SE V2 territory, but will it be lacking?
Will it provide insufficient wattage for an HE6SE?

In good working order, the A90 will drive the HE6SE with ease (115dB SPL Peak -> over 10x my usual listening volume).

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

You should be ok, but of course it depends how much bass boost you need (if any) so how much negative gain and also how loud you are listening.

But general rule is that you should be

 

[mikela]

I have a MiniDSP SHD which I am running XLR into the A90D which I have set at high gain. Based on Amir's review of the SHD, I have the SHD's gain set at -6.5db to avoid clipping the output signal. I believe this puts the voltage level at around 3.75 volts. Is this a problem for the A90D given that it's input sensitivity in high gain mode is 3.0 Vrms?

 

[JIW]

I have a MiniDSP SHD which I am running XLR into the A90D which I have set at high gain. Based on Amir's review of the SHD, I have the SHD's gain set at -6.5db to avoid clipping the output signal. I believe this puts the voltage level at around 3.75 volts. Is this a problem for the A90D given that it's input sensitivity in high gain mode is 3.0 Vrms?

This only applies when the volume control is set to maximum. The XLR input stage overloads around 10 V RMS if I recall correctly.

 

[nagster]

I have a MiniDSP SHD which I am running XLR into the A90D which I have set at high gain. Based on Amir's review of the SHD, I have the SHD's gain set at -6.5db to avoid clipping the output signal. I believe this puts the voltage level at around 3.75 volts. Is this a problem for the A90D given that it's input sensitivity in high gain mode is 3.0 Vrms?

The XLR input stage seems to start clipping at about 9.1V.

Topping A90 Discrete Review (Headphone Amp & Preamp)

I returned my A90D - much happier with my SMSL SP400 (47k ohm input impedance, also with stepped resistor relay volume control, and the best THX amp modulates AAA-888) No firmware issues. Any more info, happier.. why? ;)

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[mikela]

The XLR input stage seems to start clipping at about 9.1V.

Topping A90 Discrete Review (Headphone Amp & Preamp)

I returned my A90D - much happier with my SMSL SP400 (47k ohm input impedance, also with stepped resistor relay volume control, and the best THX amp modulates AAA-888) No firmware issues. Any more info, happier.. why? ;)

www.audiosciencereview.com

Thank you for the measurements!

 

[ReinhardS]

power consumption:

The unit consumes 1.0W in standby and 8.3W working. For me, a bit on the high side...

 

[ReinhardS]

When i try to update my firmware 2.4 to the 2.8:

A90 Discrete version V2.8 firmware update - TOPPING AUDIO

www.toppingaudio.com

this file is created on the flash disk:
ERRFW.TXT

topping expalains [1]: · Please re-flash the correct firmware.

This gives a poor impression. Was someone able to install the 2.8 firmware?
It seems, older versions are not available anymore.

[1] https://www.toppingaudio.com/faq

 

[mc365mc]

So my A90D is now displaying -4 and will not do anything. I put the V.2.8 firmware on it successfully but no change, still -4. So this thing is a brick now? Hardly used it. Was last used as a pre out to FX Audio L-07 amp, source was original topping D90 AK dac. What have others done when their's bricked?

 

[Jun]

Been lurking here for ages after buying the A90D after how well it tested. Bought it back in June 2023 along with the D90SE to go with my HD800s and it is now dead exactly 2 years after purchase date with the "-5" DC voltage protection error. Working with my retailer (APOS) to see what my options are since it's out of warranty.

My headphones seem to have survived the crazy POP sound that triggered the -5 error, almost blew my left ear out.

Was really hoping on hope that I'd got a good one.

 

[Luvchampagne]

Been lurking here for ages after buying the A90D after how well it tested. Bought it back in June 2023 along with the D90SE to go with my HD800s and it is now dead exactly 2 years after purchase date with the "-5" DC voltage protection error. Working with my retailer (APOS) to see what my options are since it's out of warranty.

My headphones seem to have survived the crazy POP sound that triggered the -5 error, almost blew my left ear out.

Was really hoping on hope that I'd got a good one.

I was worried about the reliability of the higher power headphone amps, even when used as a preamp. Ended up getting an L70 in hopes that the reliability would be better. And if/when it bricks, I'm out the $142 I paid used in e***.

 

[Jun]

I was worried about the reliability of the higher power headphone amps, even when used as a preamp. Ended up getting an L70 in hopes that the reliability would be better. And if/when it bricks, I'm out the $142 I paid used in e***.

Every few error posts I'd read I was really hoping it wouldn't happen to mine especially since it was manufactured a full year after release but... the boogeyman did finally come around. Honestly I'm shattered. Was such a great pairing for my headphones while they worked.

Looking for something to tide me over while I send this thing back to China, however long that takes.

 

[alto]

I also am having an issue suddenly with my A90D purchased in 2022.

From nowhere the unit doesn't power on anymore, I tried reflashing the firmware to the latest version, still nothing.
I can't even get into the setup mode by holding down the knob while turning on the power from the back.

Even better in my case is that the retailer I got it from seems to have gone out of business since... so I don't really know what to do.
I'm in Europe so I'm considering checking with Audiophonics if they could help me out dealing with Topping.

Does anyone have any similar experience with the A90D, is there any way to try bringing it back to life?