Topping B100 Amplifier Review

[ppataki]

Just want to report here that two out of my four B100 amps went dead
One of them started to produce the status LED blinking issue, the other unit simply just stopped outputting sound
Replacements for both units are in transit from China

It was a massive hassle and I had to pay the return charges (quite a lot of money...) so I think it is safe to say that there are indeed QC issues with the B100 series.....
I will stick to them nevertheless because I adore how they sound

But if anybody considers buying these, be prepared to be surprised....

 

[Panelhead]

Think I will grab one of the singles I see from time to time. Been rock solid.
Never push mine. With low gain and a dac that can only output 5 volts they are voltage limited to three watts or so.
Expect them to last. Would grab a LA90 DISCRETE if moving on.
Saw a pair of Belles II’s for sale. They seemed to suffer from issues sometimes when still under warranty. Now 40 years old this may be a disaster.

 

[J84]

Hi will the topping B100 amp be able to drive the Wharfedale lintons?

The B100 amp measured at 86w into 4ohms and 50w into 8hms

The Lintons is into 6ohms

Also lintons was measured at like 85db sensitivity and not the 90db sensitivity wharfedale claim on thier website.

Let say sitting 8ft from the lintons with a volume of 90db

And also 15ft away from the lintons with a volume of 90db

I want to see how far away i can listen to a volume of 90db with the B100 driving the lintons

 

[staticV3]

Hi will the topping B100 amp be able to drive the Wharfedale lintons?

The B100 amp measured at 86w into 4ohms and 50w into 8hms

The Lintons is into 6ohms

Also lintons was measured at like 85db sensitivity and not the 90db sensitivity wharfedale claim on thier website.

Let say sitting 8ft from the lintons with a volume of 90db

And also 15ft away from the lintons with a volume of 90db

I want to see how far away i can listen to a volume of 90db with the B100 driving the lintons

The Linton drops to below 4Ω at 100-200Hz, so calling it a 6Ω speaker ain't quite right.

Driving the Lintons, the B100 will be able to put out some ~19Vrms per channel, meaning each speaker can be driven to 101.5dB SPL at 1m anechoic.

Driving a Stereo set will add ~6dB in the bass, and you can add 0-6dB SPL on top of that depending on placement within the room and proximity to walls.

Finally, you will lose 6*log2( [listening distance in m] ) SPL due to listening distance.

 

[J84]

The Linton drops to below 4Ω at 100-200Hz, so calling it a 6Ω speaker ain't quite right.

Driving the Lintons, the B100 will be able to put out some ~19Vrms per channel, meaning each speaker can be driven to 101.5dB SPL at 1m anechoic.

Driving a Stereo set will add ~6dB in the bass, and you can add 0-6dB SPL on top of that depending on placement within the room and proximity to walls.

Finally, you will lose 6*log2( [listening distance in m] ) SPL due to listening distance.

Thanks. Someone on another forum was saying the b100 can't drive the lintons and I should get the b200

 

[J84]

The Linton drops to below 4Ω at 100-200Hz, so calling it a 6Ω speaker ain't quite right.

Driving the Lintons, the B100 will be able to put out some ~19Vrms per channel, meaning each speaker can be driven to 101.5dB SPL at 1m anechoic.

Driving a Stereo set will add ~6dB in the bass, and you can add 0-6dB SPL on top of that depending on placement within the room and proximity to walls.

Finally, you will lose 6*log2( [listening distance in m] ) SPL due to listening distance.

"you will lose 6*log2( [listening distance in m] ) SPL due to listening distance"

Hi can you explain this pls? I don't understand

Like how many feet away will I be able to listen to the Linton with the b100 on let say 90db?

 

[Julf]

"you will lose 6*log2( [listening distance in m] ) SPL due to listening distance"

Hi can you explain this pls? I don't understand

Like how many feet away will I be able to listen to the Linton with the b100 on let say 90db?

Basically 6 db for every doubling of listening distance.

 

[staticV3]

Hi can you explain this pls? I don't understand

Speakers get more quiet as you move away.

Move 4m away from the speakers, and you will lose 6*log2(4)=12dB SPL compared to reference distance of 1m.

 

[J84]

Speakers get more quiet as you move away.

Move 4m away from the speakers, and you will lose 6*log2(4)=12dB SPL compared to reference distance of 1m.

Thanks

 

[Panelhead]

As a fanboi if B100 I am sure a pair of B100 will play plenty loud.
But as I see more reports of early failure think a more powerful or robust design should be considered.
Whether more money, B200, or something like a PA5 II or similar something that will drive with ease.
I use the PA5 II as example because it is a Topping. Also I own one.
Have very efficient speakers. Able to use B100 in unity gain mode with lots of headroom.
But use going give a pair of Klipsch Heresy III’s to a relative. They are 95dB efficient. Hooked up to the PA5 and it drove them well. Doubt if the B100 would sound different.
I think the area where B100 shine is at extremely low power. If you look on Topping website there is a plot of THD + N vs output. It is plotted to 0.1mW. Think the PA5 stops at 20mW. So do the other amps.
Other companies stop at 50mW. Many amplifiers fall apart when looking at THD+N at 1mW level.
If Lintons are 85db efficient, the output may be inaudible at 10mW.

 

[J84]

As a fanboi if B100 I am sure a pair of B100 will play plenty loud.
But as I see more reports of early failure think a more powerful or robust design should be considered.
Whether more money, B200, or something like a PA5 II or similar something that will drive with ease.
I use the PA5 II as example because it is a Topping. Also I own one.
Have very efficient speakers. Able to use B100 in unity gain mode with lots of headroom.
But use going give a pair of Klipsch Heresy III’s to a relative. They are 95dB efficient. Hooked up to the PA5 and it drove them well. Doubt if the B100 would sound different.
I think the area where B100 shine is at extremely low power. If you look on Topping website there is a plot of THD + N vs output. It is plotted to 0.1mW. Think the PA5 stops at 20mW. So do the other amps.
Other companies stop at 50mW. Many amplifiers fall apart when looking at THD+N at 1mW level.
If Lintons are 85db efficient, the output may be inaudible at 10mW.

Thanks

 

[J84]

Same for me
I have my two B100 connected to a WiiM Ultra and the remote trigger out from the Ultra takes care of on and off the B100s
And I have not touched the power "buttons" on the B100 since

Hi what is your setup? How does the B100s sound with your setup?

 

[HakanC]

Hi what is your setup?

I have two very basic setups

In my city apartment
WiiM Ultra
Two Topping B100
Two bookshelf speakers: Ino Audio piP (small Swedish brand)

High WAF and sound quality

In my vacation home
WiiM Ultra
Two Audio Pro A4-14, active loudspeakers originally from the late 70s

Also with high WAF and good sound quality

How does the B100s sound with your setup?

I have had these two setups for about one year and I like the sound from all of its parts very much
and with zero problems with any of them.
I have had my piP loudspekers for close to 10 years and the Ultra + 2 B100 replaced a
basic surroundreceiver (Yamaha RX-V4A) only used for two channel sound
The bass got a little tighter and better with the new Ultra+B100 setup

 

[Bleib]

I have two very basic setups

In my city apartment
WiiM Ultra
Two Topping B100
Two bookshelf speakers: Ino Audio piP (small Swedish brand)

High WAF and sound quality

In my vacation home
WiiM Ultra
Two Audio Pro A4-14, active loudspeakers originally from the late 70s

Also with high WAF and good sound quality


I have had these two setups for about one year and I like the sound from all of its parts very much
and with zero problems with any of them.
I have had my piP loudspekers for close to 10 years and the Ultra + 2 B100 replaced a
basic surroundreceiver (Yamaha RX-V4A) only used for two channel sound
The bass got a little tighter and better with the new Ultra+B100 setup

I've also owned piPs (shielded version) and even used to drive them with a class D ta2020 Muse amp which is mere 2x15w. Worked wonderfully when the speakers were approx 2 meters away.

I've also owned Topping's LA90 and it worked wonders with bigger Canton floorstanders (longer distance, approx 4m), it was just not possible to detect that it's ultra clean with any normal or even HQ music so I sold it. But sure it can give comfort in knowing that at least the amp is not destroying the quality of the audio signal to the speakers.

 

[J84]

I have two very basic setups

In my city apartment
WiiM Ultra
Two Topping B100
Two bookshelf speakers: Ino Audio piP (small Swedish brand)

High WAF and sound quality

In my vacation home
WiiM Ultra
Two Audio Pro A4-14, active loudspeakers originally from the late 70s

Also with high WAF and good sound quality


I have had these two setups for about one year and I like the sound from all of its parts very much
and with zero problems with any of them.
I have had my piP loudspekers for close to 10 years and the Ultra + 2 B100 replaced a
basic surroundreceiver (Yamaha RX-V4A) only used for two channel sound
The bass got a little tighter and better with the new Ultra+B100 setup

Thanks.

 

[Jazigo]

Add me to the count of people where one of the B100s died

I am hope that I can get it replaced.

 

[testp]

Add me to the count of people where one of the B100s died

I am hope that I can get it replaced.

ouch, not good.

 

[DavidMcRoy]

Two of my three Topping B100s remain dead. The Amazon seller was non-responsive. Topping is non-responsive. I'm dead in the water here. Buyers beware.

 

[Panelhead]

David,
I cringe every time I read about these failures. Thinking of grabbing a spare. Both mine were “open box” and looked new. Less than 500.00 delivered.
Do not know if there is a bad production run, or flawed design. But definitely an issue. Several noticed differences in units. Design was evolving.
Since mine seem solid, worry if a third unit might not be as reliable, if needed.
I can only play mine when my wife is away, but work and girl’s night out gives ample opportunity to play for 6 - 8 hours a couple times a week. And many shorter sessions.
Pulled the E70 Velvet to check if it is AES48 compliant yesterday. Like the guy who wanted battery supplies I figured my homemade XLR cables can do that if not. Of course, the E70 is compliant. Assume the B100 are too.
What was unexpected, realized the E70 is so small. Weighs almost nothing. Extremely small case. Back panel is covered with connectors. Packing dCS stack performance in a box this small.
I think grabbing a spare B100 is in my future. Will look into vendors that might offer a warranty.
Sad story, so many owners will dead units.
BTW, ever consider parting ways with the working unit?

 

[HakanC]

Will look into vendors that might offer a warranty.

I am in Sweden and I bought my two still working B100 from
Audiophonics and they sells it with two years warranty

That I hope I will never have to use.

Sad story, so many owners will dead units.

+1