Topping B100 Amplifier Review

[taleoffice]

If you can manage with 100 watts per channel, why wouldn't it be a good alternative?
Given the large differences in the measurements, there might be an audible difference.
But you'll need a preamp or volume control.

I'm fine with a PA5 II (without Plus) for my DBR62, but in my desktop setup.
Cheaper alternatives would be the PA7, 3E Audio A5, A7se, and A7.

Yes, the preamp is on the list, waiting for the ZP3 from fosi.

 

[Panelhead]

I asked Topping what they recommended for my system this week. High efficiency speakers, 8 ohm, but do drop lower.
Wants, at least 20 watts, low noise, and low distortion. Their reply - B100. Quietest turn off measured so far too.
I had several pair of Altec 1570B in the 90’s. Pulls from the Astrodome. They used a pair of 811 tubes push pull. Class B.
Stock, not great. The guys at Exemplar Audio (Rocket Scientists during the day) designed a Hedge input/driver stage and altered the feedback loop to get them perform at milliwatts to about 70 watts. Drove 110dB efficient Exemplar 3 way horns with them. A little hum for first five minutes. Then dead silent. High efficiency bass can really find hum. I drove everything from horns to electrostatics with mine. They run HOT. Not for Houston.
Class B can be great. Just not as easily as A, AB, or switching.

 

[Julf]

Class B can be great. Just not as easily as A, AB, or switching.

How do you avoid the crossover distortion? heavy feedback?

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

How do you avoid the crossover distortion? heavy feedback?

Yes, the marketing indicates triple feedback for B100’s proprietary design.

 

[Panelhead]

Deep null is technique used to get these crazy low measurements. Eliminates distortion, including crossover.
That is exactly how nonlinear circuits are made to perform as linear. Not sure what triple feedback means. There are open and closed loop feedback, global and local feedback, and multiple pole loops. Using surface mount circuitry allows for small loop area, which is always a good thing.
Topping seems to be a step ahead of everyone in implementing these. That is why they are hiding (potting) the critical details.
Page two of this thread shows the insides. It is looks almost like an empty box.

 

[Tony Roma]

I’m thinking of getting these to run my Raal headphones, they will see a 16 or 32ohm load from a transformer box, will these amps be ok for that do you think?

 

[staticV3]

I’m thinking of getting these to run my Raal headphones, they will see a 16 or 32ohm load from a transformer box, will these amps be ok for that do you think?

See the Product page:

Link

Or the Manual:

Link

 

[Tony Roma]

Yes I’ve seen the specs, I’ve run these off many speaker amps at 16 and 32ohms without problems , I always thought it was an easier load on the amp. That’s why I asked , thanks

 

[Jimster480]

Yes I’ve seen the specs, I’ve run these off many speaker amps at 16 and 32ohms without problems , I always thought it was an easier load on the amp. That’s why I asked , thanks

How come you want to run headphones off of speaker amps?

 

[Tony Roma]

How come you want to run headphones off of speaker amps?

RAAL-requisite SR1a Ribbon Headphone Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Raal SR1a "true ribbon earfield" headphone. It is on kind loan from a member. As configured (with Pelican case and cabling) costs US $3,500. But that is not your full cost. You also need a home hifi amplifier that can produce minimum of 100...

www.audiosciencereview.com

although now with the new transformer box less power is needed.

 

[Jimster480]

RAAL-requisite SR1a Ribbon Headphone Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Raal SR1a "true ribbon earfield" headphone. It is on kind loan from a member. As configured (with Pelican case and cabling) costs US $3,500. But that is not your full cost. You also need a home hifi amplifier that can produce minimum of 100...

www.audiosciencereview.com

although now with the new transformer box less power is needed.

Oh wow, that is quite a headphone. I must have missed this review in the last years as I don't remember it!

 

[Tony Roma]

Oh wow, that is quite a headphone. I must have missed this review in the last years as I don't remember it!

It is indeed, not to everyones taste but it suits me.

 

[Roland68]

Oh wow, that is quite a headphone. I must have missed this review in the last years as I don't remember it!

I missed that one too.
Reminds me of the AKG K 1000.

 

[howard416]

How come you want to run headphones off of speaker amps?

They are tired of hearing

 

[Jimster480]

They are tired of hearing

Nah, look at their headphone.

I missed that one too.
Reminds me of the AKG K 1000.

I've never listened to either one.

It is indeed, not to everyones taste but it suits me.

I'd like to try it some day

 

[Bluedog]

What do you think of the B100 versus its rival the fosi audio v3

fosi audio v3 is not a competitor to b100 at all. absolutely

 

[Jimster480]

fosi audio v3 is not a competitor to b100 at all. absolutely

Depends on how you look at it. I personally bought the V3 Monoblocks over this because they provide more power and their performance is not so much worse.

 

[C0mbat]

Depends on how you look at it. I personally bought the V3 Monoblocks over this because they provide more power and their performance is not so much worse.

I agree. I had that V3 Monos and changed to the B100s. Did I notice any difference in sound quality? No. Maybe there was but if there was it's marginal. I do think:

• They look a lot nicer and almost match the WiiM Ultra that they sit next to
• The trigger switch for auto on/off is better than the V3 Mono
• They run really cool vs the V3 Monos's which run hot, which keeps my small room cooler in the summer and uses less electricity

I picked them up for £200 (after all of the import duties) from Aliexpress during a sale. I sold the V3s for £80 each. Was it worth it? Very subjective. Summing up all of the above benefits, maybe not. But I'm at least now at a point where I don't have a nagging doubt in my head about anything being better

 

[Panelhead]

I can only compare to PA5 II, I hear a difference. At my operating conditions, headphone amplifier output levels. Never hits more than a couple hundred milliwatts.
The B100 was a design project. Make the lowest distortion, most linear, quietest amplifier possible. And reasonable cost.
When I took Toppings advice and looked at their measurements, the THD+N vs output was eye opening. Measured down to 0.1mW. Most amplifier measurements stop at 20mW, many at 50mW.
The Topping amps are all bunched up at 120 SINAD. That is an APx55 limitation. Topping runs output through a 40dB amplifier to get a measurement, then divides by a 100 to actually measure the numbers. That is how they can show -151dB.

I wanted stereo, remote, built in power supply. My Micromega has all that. But I wanted an AHB2. Lowest noise, distortion, most linear.
The B100 sets a new standard. The bar is above everything else except for output power. In my system, a 20 watt amplifier would be overkill.
Topping aimed for best measurements, built the best amplifier ever for high efficiency horn loaded speakers. Bar none.
Cannot listen to PA5 II or the Micromega. Too much hash on low level piano and massed strings on the PA5. Too colored and homogenized on the Micromega.
Did not know how bad they sounded until I heard a better amplifier at 100mW peaks.

 

[Julf]

Cannot listen to PA5 II or the Micromega. Too much hash on low level piano and massed strings on the PA5. Too colored and homogenized on the Micromega.

Your subjective perception has been noted.