Topping B100 Amplifier Review

[Sokel]

Buy one before they will implement it!

There are nice ways to do it though:

 

[bobgraw]

Anyone has done any listening tests on this Topping B100 compared to other class D power amplifiers?

 

[EddNog]

Anyone has done any listening tests on this Topping B100 compared to other class D power amplifiers?

I previously owned Class-D Fosi V3, ZA3 (pair), and V3 Monos, and prefer my Class-B Topping B100s. I am driving a pair of KEF LS50 Metas with them, so the B100 is sufficient. Harder to drive speakers would need Class-AB B200s.

-Ed

 

[musicforcities]

I love Topping for DACs and HPAs but $600 is starting to approach real money and for that price I’d want to get more than 50WPC and a difficult to service amp. The specs are awesome as an engineering exercise but I’d rather have power, peace of mind, and/or money in my pocket.

maybe they are going after the old school Naim crowd that happily shelled out much more money for the same power and, I guess), far lower performance. lol. Maybe multiway XLR/TRS sockets are the new DIn!

 

[Jimster480]

Wow this is insane, the performance is literally incredible. Speaker amps usually suck for performance, but this is as good as a headphone amp!

 

[SMen]

I previously owned Class-D Fosi V3, ZA3 (pair), and V3 Monos, and prefer my Class-B Topping B100s. I am driving a pair of KEF LS50 Metas with them, so the B100 is sufficient. Harder to drive speakers would need Class-AB B200s.

-Ed

I'm just curious if your switch to the B100s coincided with moving the Freya + on, and using the Topping E70 Velvet?
I don't have the B100s, but I found that my user impressions of the V3 Monos went hand in hand with using a balanced stepped relay - so I have to temper my comparisons with other 3255 amps factoring that in.

 

[EddNog]

I'm just curious if your switch to the B100s coincided with moving the Freya + on, and using the Topping E70 Velvet?
I don't have the B100s, but I found that my user impressions of the V3 Monos went hand in hand with using a balanced stepped relay - so I have to temper my comparisons with other 3255 amps factoring that in.

No, at the time I switched to the B100s, it was the only component change. Everything else came a couple of weeks later.

And then just two days ago, I’ve removed the L70 from the chain entirely and simply switched to using the E70 Velvet DAC itself in pre mode to control volume of the chain. So now it is streamer->DAC->subwoofer & monoblocs. Minimizing steps in the chain, and I’ve changed to using completely separate cables for the monoblocs from the sub (before this, I was running special y-cables out of the XLR output to the monoblocs on one leg and the sub on another due to the varying difference in gain level between RCA and XLR outputs between modes (passive vs solid state buffer vs tube buffer), but now I go straight to the monoblocs with XLR and separately RCA cables from the RCA output to the sub since I’m not using the Freya+ anymore).

-Ed

 

[SMen]

No, at the time I switched to the B100s, it was the only component change. Everything else came a couple of weeks later.

And then just two days ago, I’ve removed the L70 from the chain entirely and simply switched to using the E70 Velvet DAC itself in pre mode to control volume of the chain. So now it is streamer->DAC->subwoofer & monoblocs. Minimizing steps in the chain, and I’ve changed to using completely separate cables for the monoblocs from the sub (before this, I was running special y-cables out of the XLR output to the monoblocs on one leg and the sub on another due to the varying difference in gain level between RCA and XLR outputs between modes (passive vs solid state buffer vs tube buffer), but now I go straight to the monoblocs with XLR and separately RCA cables from the RCA output to the sub since I’m not using the Freya+ anymore).

-Ed

Interesting. You've hit on something else I was wondering (the L70). I suspect your DAC balanced "internal" outputs are 'driving' the internal relay volume rather like my DAC balanced outputs are driving a passive balanced relay volume control. I was thinking about the L70 just to get the remote control! But I wonder if this actually puts an additional pair of op amps in the signal path.

We've actually gone down similar routes. I'm also using the RCA out to my subwoofer(s) from this volume control - when just using one subwoofer I have a 'summing' cable connection that works well.

I'm interested that you don't miss your valve driver option with the Freya +.

Regardless, it is good to be considering the power amp in isolation of other factors. I'm interested in how these low cost but excellent amplifiers are changing my perceptions regarding other elements in the chain (and indeed sources).

 

[EddNog]

Interesting. You've hit on something else I was wondering (the L70). I suspect your DAC balanced "internal" outputs are 'driving' the internal relay volume rather like my DAC balanced outputs are driving a passive balanced relay volume control. I was thinking about the L70 just to get the remote control! But I wonder if this actually puts an additional pair of op amps in the signal path.

We've actually gone down similar routes. I'm also using the RCA out to my subwoofer(s) from this volume control - when just using one subwoofer I have a 'summing' cable connection that works well.

I'm interested that you don't miss your valve driver option with the Freya +.

Regardless, it is good to be considering the power amp in isolation of other factors. I'm interested in how these low cost but excellent amplifiers are changing my perceptions regarding other elements in the chain (and indeed sources).

I discovered that the lower frequency resolution/precision was quite heavily diluted with the tube buffer mode on the Freya+. Switching to a properly high-measuring option (the L70, or just the E70 Velvet in and of itself in pre mode) fixed this problem and the bass is how it is supposed to be.

It’s all good, my dad is loving the Freya+ and has happily replaced his aging Audio Research SP16 with the Freya+ that I gave him!

-Ed

 

[transformer-coupled]

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping B100 "monoblock" amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $299.
View attachment 392530
I was surprised by the desktop/low profile of the amplifier. I expected something a lot taller/chunkier especially since this is a class B amplifier and not class D. Power supply is of course external:
View attachment 392531
Nice to see balanced input, three gain settings and trigger input.

The front panel power button is touch sensitive. You have to learn to just touch and remove your finger for it to power on. When it goes into protection, you have to hold it until error codes disappear and then touch again for powering up.

A wish for a follow up version is a series of tall color LED bars going from left to right for visual enjoyment. Kind of like this:

If you are not familiar with my power amplifier audio measurements, please watch this tutorial:

Topping B100 Amplifier Measurements
Let's start with balanced input at low gain:
View attachment 392532
Distortion is vanishingly low at -141 dB. Power supply spikes are taller than it actually. So we are left with noise which is limited by the analyzer. Still, the B100 manages to grab the top spot in our rankings:
View attachment 392538
I know, there is no gain there so let's go up to medium gain:
View attachment 392539
Performance is essentially the same as we again, limited by analyzer inherent noise. This requires a bit higher than 4.5 volt to reach max power. So let's test high gain:
View attachment 392540
Now we see a bit more noise limiting SINAD. But even then, we are better than threshold of hearing.

I hope you are using this amplifier with balanced connection but in case you are not, here are the measurements using RCA at medium and high gains (latter needs less than 1 volt for full power):

View attachment 392541

Edit: this should say high gain, not low:
View attachment 392542

Check out this stunning performance in noise department at 5 watts and max power:
View attachment 392543
View attachment 392544

From here on I will stay with medium gain using XLR balanced input.
View attachment 392545

We can tell from above graph that there is no increase in distortion at higher frequencies. As a result, our 19+20 kHz result remains excellent as well:
View attachment 392546

Not being a class D amplifier, there is no concern regarding load dependency (an issue with some class D amps):
View attachment 392547

The protection circuit is aggressive with 4 ohm load, not allowing the amplifier to go into clipping:
View attachment 392548
This means that if you hear any distortion, it is somewhere else and not in the power amplifier. I tried to measure power at 1% THD but the protection circuit would not allow it. THD would remain incredibly low and then shut down if I increased input voltage. So 86 watts is what you get for max and peak power. Company spec is 83 watts which is an honest assessment. They do spec 100 watts at < 1% THD which I probably could achieve if I tried harder.

Let's not how the B100 blows the competition out of water with respect to noise level. It was so low that I had to move the graph up to see its results above! The analyzer noise actually takes over around 30 watts as it changes its gain to accommodate higher voltage (the step up).

8 Ohm measurement does allow clipping due to lower currents required:
View attachment 392549

Once again we see the massive gap in noise and distortion vs our reference blue line. We are talking 25 dB!

Even more amazing is the fact that B100 maintains its superlative performance at all frequencies, down to 20 Hz!
View attachment 392552

Amplifier is ready on power up although I did overserve a tiny improvement after a few minutes:
View attachment 392550

The amplifier only got modestly warm after the power testing:

View attachment 392551

P.S. I don't have PowerCube measurements for you due to aforementioned aggressive protection circuit, not allowing me to measure peak power.

Edit: forgot the power on/off noise:
View attachment 392594

EDIT 2: Power Consumption
Standby power consumption is around 1.5 watt. Powered on but not playing, 9.1 watt.

Conclusions
Topping is clearly its own competition, constantly pushing the envelop in noise and distortion. Even when you get used to them delivering on these fronts, they come up with this amplifier where test after test shows excellence in engineering and utmost dedication to highest levels of fidelity. All of this comes in a compact enclosure with a reasonable cost. I have no choice but to bow to their mission and abilities.

It is my absolute pleasure to recommend the Topping B100 monolock amplifier.

------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.

Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/

Thank you again Amirm for another great review and measurements of interesting products like dacs and impedance/sensitivity of speakers.
--> Do you think this Topping B100 power amps would be stable at 3.1 Ohm minimum impedance floorstanders (audiophonics says its for more than 4 Ohm minimum impedance)?
thank you!
Antonio

 

[Ziofrenko]

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.

Inexperienced "wattometer" fanboy who have never used a sound level meter in their life are impressed by Useless large numbers in the same way.
But incredibly it's really simple: if a speaker put 85dB with 1 watt can put 95dB with 10W.
95dB SPL are similar to a LIVE ROCK concert!
And incredibly a speaker of that type with 10W will be working at its limit distorting surely more than 2%.
Returning to the discussion,
2 speaker can go obviously to about 88 dB SPL ar least.
So in a normal domestic room at 3 meters, you can probably have 80dB with 1W, 90dB with 10W, at least.
And if you have a 85dB speaker that you listen ad 3 meters the problem is not the amplifier... Try to guess where the problem is
And the inexperienced wattometer still have to explain to me the phantom problems of external power supplies... Really incredible.
Bottom line: if a home speaker isn't making enough noise at 10W, the problem clearly isn't the amplifier.

 

[Ziofrenko]

For all the others who say $600 is too much for 50W here is a beautiful example of a 12W amplifier with a 4.5 review rating.
I really don't know what else to say towards these haters...

Yaqin MC-84L Tube Stereo Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Yaqin MC-84L Stereo Tube amplifier. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $600 on Amazon. The picture doesn't do justice to the nice design of this amplifier. The transformer case in the back nicely contrasts with the chrome parts. The...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[ErkyPerky]

Why would I choose these over the pa7 plus

 

[staticV3]

Why would I choose these over the pa7 plus

High sensitivity speakers, listened to in near field.

 

[ErkyPerky]

High sensitivity speakers, listened to in near field.

How close in near field? I will be in a living room listening position so I need an amplifier as I don't have one atm, but I have a topping e70 to pair it with though.

 

[EddNog]

How close in near field? I will be in a living room listening position so I need an amplifier as I don't have one atm, but I have a topping e70 to pair it with though.

Which speakers, exactly?

-Ed

 

[ErkyPerky]

I've got 3 to test out and see which one I want to keep(or 2)
Monitor audio silver 100 7G
Monitor Audio Gold 100 5G

 

[EddNog]

I've got 3 to test out and see which one I want to keep(or 2)
Monitor audio silver 100 7G
Monitor Audio Gold 100 5G

B100 will not have issues with these speakers getting pretty loud at a listening distance of 10’. I listen 10’ away from bookshelfs with a sensitivity rating 3dB lower.

-Ed

 

[da Choge]

This seems to be the de facto thread for the Topping B200 also. I posted this in another B200 thread, so I don't know if I'm being very repetitious or not (apologies in advance; I stopped following this thread at about page 20+, or so, and haven't caught up):

"What I don't get about this amp [the B200] are the 3 inputs; that's OK, but without without the ability of remote control/selection of these inputs, what good is this unit in a comprehensive audiovideo setup? I think 2 inputs would have been sufficient, but it would still need the ability to control input selection remotely. If you intend to use only one input, then this could be a great amp, as long as the specifications and durability findings hold up.

And I imagine Amir has already been sent one of these (just a supposition on my part). I know he has an actual life and limited time, but this would be an important unit to review in my thinking. However, I'm sure he has a big backlog of equipment already waiting review."

Anybody yet with input on the B200's functional performance? I'll try to catch-up with this thread and see if someone has already posted findings.

 

[MKWingchun]

Wow, perfect tweeter amp by the looks of things. I'll wait a few months and see how people like this thing and if there are any early issues but a nice replacement for the overkill Hypex NC252MP currently in use.

I need an amp for a 6 way speaker I've built, and these might good be for the tweeter, the Corundum that is 92 db efficient. I am using a mini-dsp hd to crossover at 3100, with a 48 slope. Why do you think these would be a good tweeter amp? My thoughts are the low distortion, and SINAD., and since I'm using the tweeter in such a limited bandwidth, it should be enough power. An engineering friend told be that it is hard to hear distortion at high frequencies, though. I'm not an engineer, btw.