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Topping A90 Discrete Review (Headphone Amp & Preamp)

Rate this Headphone Amp/Pre-amp

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 16 4.0%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 13 3.2%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 69 17.1%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 306 75.7%

  • Total voters
    404

Rja4000

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I have not been able to make this work in the past. As you change the levels the analyzer THD meter goes through the roof and then back down. So you get a lot of glitches.
Ah OK.
Maybe just at 3 fixed levels ?
-20dB, -40dB, and -60dB, as an example ?

That's basically SNR at low level, isn't it?

@nagster has published an interesting comparison with pre90 at 12 levels here:

index.php
 
OP
amirm

amirm

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Ah OK.
Maybe just at 3 fixed levels ?
-20dB, -40dB, and -60dB, as an example ?
Sure. I plan to do a much more extensive study of volume control in different places.

Note that this volume control involves me manually turning the knob. it is NOT an automated sweep where input value changes as you are showing in above graph.
 

Rja4000

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Note that this volume control involves me manually turning the knob. it is NOT an automated sweep where input value changes as you are showing in above graph.
I'm 100% aware of that.
I tried to plot mic preamps SNR vs gain and had the same issue.
I was thinking to use a stepped motor for that test, but eventually dropped the idea :)
 

WhyNotHad

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Thank you for your hard work. I have been interested in this product for a long time.

Could I also get SE measurement data for this product from you? If there's an issue with SE, someone can take it that the evaluation will change a little
it's still excellent tho
 

carlcamper

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The big brother of the Sabaj A10h.
Technically the A20h is the big brother of the A10h. I have it, and the Gustard H16 as well. I'll be comparing all three once my A90 Discrete arrives :)
 
OP
amirm

amirm

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Thank you for your hard work. I have been interested in this product for a long time.

Could I also get SE measurement data for this product from you? If there's an issue with SE, someone can take it that the evaluation will change a little
it's still excellent tho
Yes, when I get some breathing room I will add unbalanced. Is your interest in unbalanced output? Or both input and out?
 

tomtrp

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Now it is interesting to have a proper controlled listening test of A90 OP VS A90 Discrete to see if there is any audible difference.
 

Arnas

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Woohoo... Thak you for Review Amir;) And what a wonderful product From John and team Topping!
Im sure this wolume control will be massive improvement when it comes to soundstage and the overall feel! Not to mention cleaner front.
 

xaviescacs

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Now it is interesting to have a proper controlled listening test of A90 OP VS A90 Discrete to see if there is any audible difference.
It won't be easy to design and perform a test that in the case it gives a positive, an audible difference, we can believe it (in plain words), given the SINAD figures of both. :)
 

cheapmessiah

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While all the new features look great, I'm disappointed that the 50ohm power suffered such hit as I was looking forward to getting this amp for the HE6se eqed to Harman.
 

carlcamper

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I did not. Truth to be told, I only saw that when I was taking its picture. :) I had no mains noise anyway since I was using differential connections. Will test with RCA at some point to see if it helps.
Awesome, thanks! By the way, how is the feel of the relay volume knob compared to the Sabaj A10h or the Gustard H16? Is it responsive and linear, or does it tend to accelerate/decelerate depending on the speed of adjustment?
 

tritopia

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These are the devices I use...

* D90SE : Auto On/Off Mode
* LA90 + A90D : 12V triger On/Off sync.

Topping, good job!


:D:D:D
 
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