Topping B100 Amplifier Review

[Mnyb]

Numbers are nice, though I would like to see even better PSU (mains) residuals suppression. I think this amp was designed to be measured by Amir.

I to would like a better psu built into the amp rather than a brick , more serviceable

 

[Negatywny]

I to would like a better psu built into the amp rather than a brick , more serviceable

These power supplies are cheaper than a repairman taking a screwdriver from his desk...

 

[Sokel]

I to would like a better psu built into the amp rather than a brick , more serviceable

That would need to formally certify the amp.
It's easier with these pre-certified (I hope) bricks.

 

[AudioSceptic]

Class B amps are only used in RF due to crossover distortion. So the common version is a hybrid Class AB, not class B. Here, feedback is used so much as to nullify crossover distortion in class B. Much like the way Hypex amps use a lot of feedback to deal with all sorts of non-linearities in class D.

Would there be any TID (Transient Intermodulation Distortion) issues with such high feedback, or was that all a myth anyway?

 

[Haskil]

Would not be a first.

-Ed

It's still better than being designed to be subjectively evaluated by web gurus and audiophile forums and by subjective critics who display their technical, cultural and intellectual inadequacies in paper hifi magazines... All things dictated by their complacency towards the brands that make them exist.
If this "accusation" against Topping is true...

 

[Sokel]

Numbers are nice, though I would like to see even better PSU (mains) residuals suppression. I think this amp was designed to be measured by Amir.

The zero gain setting is a great tell.

(not that it's not measuring really good at the rest thought)

 

[LKA]

Any proof it's a true Class-B ? (e.g. output stage idle current)

 

[JSmith]

I think this amp was designed to be measured by Amir.

To say it was designed to be measured is possible... maybe a little shortsighted though as goals are goals. But to say it was designed to be measured by Amir is rather disingenuous.

Topping publish their own AP measurements.

Any proof it's a true Class-B ?

Topping mentioned it in this post and there is further discussion in that thread;

Making further progress, TOPPING’s new flagship amplifier will be launched in late May!

Aaaaaaaaaand this is why I don’t talk subjective around here. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ -Ed It's particularly ironic that an amp like these Topping, who's only claim to fame is that they are designed to measured performance criteria, is still evaluated by some for demonstratively incorrect subjective...

audiosciencereview.com

JSmith

 

[LKA]

That's not proof. Some understand class B and AB differently.

I will ask differently. What is the quiescent current of the output transistors ? Are the emitter resistors present ?

 

[lordhumungous]

Not enough output power for me .

 

[bbrrtt]

How about power consumption? Probably low but can't find any information.

 

[Bogda]

There are massive vent holes on either side of the case:

View attachment 392616

Is it enough? Maybe..? Definitely don't stick this in a cupboard, especially not with one side against a side panel

Far from perfect.
What I do not like is that this less than optimal design is such, so it can fit this configuration imagined by their marketing department:

 

[Negatywny]

less than optimal design.

Proof needed...

 

[FrantzM]

Hi

Some of us are getting all cynical and trying to find faults...
Some of us, may want at times to take a deep breath and put cynicism aside.

This is an incredible amp, one that advances the SOTA in audio reproduction: A spectacular, superlative performer with incredible, genre-defining performances.

and..
...
...

It is not perfect, its most glaring fault: Not suitable to any and all applications.

For context, the Benchmark AHB2, one of the best amplifiers reviewed here is 100 watts per channel and it cost $3500... Topping B100, cost $600/pair... and it stands, along with its 2 Topping brethren, as the best performing amplifers, reviewed here... What in the world are we asking for? That it also be 1000 watts? Seriously? Is the AHB2?

Of course the issues of longevity and reliability are fair concerns, only time will tell.

This B100 SOTA amp, it bears to repeat , is $600/pair..

Peace.

 

[Bogda]

Proof needed...

No proof is needed that this is less than optimal thermal design of the enclosure (to be specific). Probably sufficient for 95% of use cases... but we are on this forum because we like to think we are among 5% who know better.

 

[Sokel]

Hi

Some of us are getting all cynical and trying to find faults...
Some of us, may want at times to take a deep breath and put cynicism aside.

This is an incredible amp, one that advances the SOTA in audio reproduction:A spectacular, superlative performer with incredible, genre-defining performances.

and..
...
...

It is not perfect, its most glaring fault: Not suitable to any and all applications.

For context, the Benchmark AHB2, one of the best amplifiers reviewed here is 100 watts per channel and it cost $3500... Topping B100, cost $600/pair... and it stands, along with its 2 Topping brethren, as the best performing amplifers, reviewed here... What in the world are we asking for? That it also be 1000 watts? Seriously? Is the AHB2?

Of course the issues of longevity and reliability are fair concerns, only time will tell.

This B100 SOTA amp, it bears to repeat , is $600/pair..

Peace.

Agree at some but the comparison with something 10 yo is not fair,price is not enough.
I would compare it with something like this:

Apollon NCx500ST Stereo Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Apollon NCx500ST stereo class D amplifier based on Hypex NCOREx NCx500 modules. It was kindly drop shipped from the member and costs 1,090.00€ (US $1,168) with standard opamp. While the case is stamped aluminum, it is a heavily customized one...

www.audiosciencereview.com

5 times the power (7+ times if we take peak power as the measure) ,completely inaudible performance,built in PSU,good record by the company at support,reliability,etc,great looks (subjectively,to me,at least it's all metal),etc

At double the price of course (and I consider it more than fair) but taking into account how these amps are often changed (look at how many users change the desktop short of this even in the same year) I think it ends up cheaper at the end.

 

[Negatywny]

No proof is needed that this is less than optimal thermal design of the enclosure (to be specific). Probably sufficient for 95% of use cases... but we are on this forum because we like to think we are among 5% who know better.

I dont think you use the term "optimal" properly... Optimal doesent mean "highest efficiency possible with disregard to other factors".

 

[Bogda]

I dont think you use the term "optimal" properly... Optimal doesent mean "highest efficiency possible with disregard to other factors".

I used it in a meaning "most desirable" thermal design (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optimal).

Obviously, cooling efficiency is not the highest priority at Topping, but some other factors.
I remember their integrated amp LA90, with perfect measured performance, but needlessly cramp interior with beefy heatsinks on sides with horizontal fins???

The reason is probably the looks:

 

[usern]

What's the power consumption on 0 input and some constant non zero input?

Can these be stacked without overheating for multichannel systems?

 

[terryforsythe]

These little amps will push speakers with 85 dB sensitivity to a bit over 100 dB. That is quite loud, and many speakers already are reaching high levels of distortion and compression by that point.

For someone who listens to their music at a reasonable volume, say 80 dB, in a small to modestly sized room, these amplifiers will have 20 dB of dynamic headroom. That is sufficient for most music, especially considering that a lot of modern recordings are very compressed.

They may not be for everybody, but I see applications they will serve well.

I would like to see how they handle a complex load. But, I suspect they will perform well.