Topping B100 Amplifier Review

[DWPress]

@amirm - I use a switch to turn on/off my stack of amps. Does this retain memory of last use state or do you have to touch the button? Can you try powering it on/off with a power strip or external switch?

Thanks for the on/off update on the review.

 

[Sokel]

Performance was expected and depending the use-case can be adequate.
But is that front plate plastic???Cause it sure looks like it.

Thanks Amir!

 

[thewas]

Two of my least favorite things in an amplifier combined: monoblock and external PSU
And it barely has enough power to drive some bookshelves. Well, one. Not exactly sure who this product is aimed at.

Inexperienced SINAD fanboys who have no practical experience of what is audible and are impressed by inaudibly low distortion numbers and ignore things that matter much more for real daily usage like reliability, serviceability, customer support, user interface, internal PSU etc.

 

[Sir Sanders Zingmore]

The power button starts to blink a code and amp is shut down. You have to power the unit down and power it back up to recover.

Do you have a sense of how quickly it would go into protection in a real-world scenario?
Like would it take a single dynamic whack of a kettle drum or would it need to be a sustained cranking-up of Black Sabbath?

 

[DWPress]

I'll bet more than a few of us have spent $600 or more for an amplifier that when all was said and done only effectively put out 50 watts or less. And at the time we may have even thought that the amp delivered nirvana.

For reference - I'm at the end stages of what I could possibly do to improve the quality of my sound system. I don't expect to hear any difference between this and the Hypex amp I'm replacing it with. But the B100 equals it by comparative data and I have a use for the NC252MP in BTL mode for a 3rd sub and since it's already in a 4ch chassis currently in use I don't need to add any more than the 1.75" of the B100 + cooling allowance to my pile. Two of these at 8" wide will occupy a 1U slot in a stack and they don't have a volume knob to interfere with DSP settings is also a huge bonus.

I realize my enthusiasm over this new amp is extremely niche given my circumstances. Not much else out there to compare it to given my needs outlined above.

I had a PA5 V1 and it died on me recently but, though pissed, still have confidence in Topping and appreciate them pushing the edge of SOTA tech.

 

[DavidMcRoy]

I believe I've found the perfect amplifers to drive a pair of ESS Heil AMTs with DSP active crossovers.

 

[Ziroz]

The protection circuit is too aggressive for my liking, they can't even reach the 100w stated on the spec sheet.

 

[welwynnick]

Thanks for the thorough review Amir, and thanks for not keeping us in suspense. I was looking forward to that.

When I started out in hifi, this would have been considered a powerful amp. Now we have an amp that's the same form factor as the matching desktop DAC and headphone amp.

I'm now waiting for Topping to make a preamp that can drive the B100 to max power at low gain.

 

[Andreas007]

Performance is stunning.
I agree max power and tolerance for low impedance speakers could be an issue in some cases.
My former Bryston B60 together with 98 dB sensitivity speakers (2 Ohm min) had a tough time but managed it (20 years of really hot enclosure).
I‘m not sure the Topping would survive such a setup for long. Anyway, I could be wrong and Bryston is 5x more expensive.
Rated „Great“ as Topping and Amir are pushing industry into right direction. Thanks!

 

[SDC]

Since we are hitting the limits of AP at 5watts.

Perhaps higher wattage and lower load impedance for Sinad chart can give us better scope?

 

[Hiten]

Thanks for review. Does small heatsink suggest parallel chip based amp ?

 

[Sokel]

When I started out in hifi, this would havd been considered a powerful amp. Now it's the same form factor as the matching desktop DAC and headphone amp.

For a desktop use where probably minor EQ will be needed for RC it should be very-very nice and can relieve people who can't stand hiss.
No one will run subs with those I guess.

What's different now is that RC is a common thing unlike some decades ago.
The downside is that it can make an amp run out of juice pretty quick if someone fills dips,etc.

I have seen amps constantly clipping at such a configuration and the funny thing is one may not notice unless a powerful amp is used (it's very audible depending how an amp clips)
Sane use is what's probably needed.

 

[JSmith]

parallel chip based amp

I don't think so...


JSmith

 

[amirm]

Do you have a sense of how quickly it would go into protection in a real-world scenario?

I don't. I did want to listen to it and might do that tomorrow and report back if that happens with my Salon 2 speakers.

 

[amirm]

Thanks for review. Does small heatsink suggest parallel chip based amp ?

No, it is their own module they have developed (discrete).

 

[amirm]

Perhaps higher wattage and lower load impedance for Sinad chart can give us better scope?

You can see the SINAD at all power levels in this sweep:

As you see, it hovers around 120 dB from 1.2 watts to 30 watts. From there, the analyzer switches range and its own performance gets int he way.

 

[Mort]

Are monoblocks a fad?

 

[amirm]

The protection circuit is too aggressive for my liking, they can't even reach the 100w stated on the spec sheet.

More power can be extracted by using finer steps in the input sweep voltage prior to protection circuit shutting down. So I suspect with out playing around you may be able to get there.

 

[amirm]

Are monoblocks a fad?

I think here it is used to keep the package and hence shipping costs low as opposed to any benefit with respect to crosstalk. It also allows the power supply to be smaller than what you would need for stereo amp, i.e. two smaller power supplies instead of a giant one that may not even be available.

 

[Bleib]

Subjective review, compared to b200, includes sound samples, maybe can give hint to some if it the power is enough or not..