Topping B200 Monoblock Amplifier Review

[tavaz]

Amir, it would be interesting to have also other qualitative tests such as the square wave response (not in saturation) to have an idea of the slew-rate and the stability margins in the amplifiers. Also tests that show the behavior during "clipping" condition to see any delays in recovery from clipping or if some circuits for the control of clipping (Soft clipping) have been implemented. Soft clipping can reduce the harmonic components significantly improving the quality of listening on signal peaks that can push the amplifier into saturation for a short time.

 

[bigguyca]

I invite you to perform an engineering analysis to show how the output impedance of an amplifier influence the mechanical motion of the speaker driver diaphragm, given that there is usually a crossover filter network in between, and if it is used as a direct drive in active speakers, the coil impedance (DC resistance and coil inductance), plus all the other electromechanical factors. Then come back with the results and try to convince us again.

Instead of doing one of your absolute best Wizard of Oz imitations, and it is a great imitation, you should find one of the many online analyses of the system you describe and present a link, or better yet provide your own analysis.

You are asking the member to explain, that is analyze, the effect of power amplifier output impedance on a loudspeaker system. This will be a purely technical explanation. Lambda appears to be interested in the results of added measurements not an analysis.

If everyone here is required to provide an in-depth analysis of every system that Amir measures before he measures it the number of systems measured with likely decrease greatly.

 

[amirm]

If everyone here is required to provide an in-depth analysis of every system that Amir measures before he measures it the number of systems measured with likely decrease greatly.

He is asking him to justify what he is asking me to do. It is what I do when the request is unreasonable as it is here.

 

[Bogda]

B200 has 3 balanced inputs for 3 different Preamps (I suppose)? How is amp deciding what signal to play if it receives signal on two or three inputs?

 

[Matt_Holland]

B200 has 3 balanced inputs for 3 different Preamps (I suppose)? How is amp deciding what signal to play if it receives signal on two or three inputs?

There’s a selector on the front of the amp.

 

[totti1965]

Update. It’s all powered up and I’m listening to them.

I’m a pretty big nOOb in here, but I can say I’ve never heard music like this before. Thank you all for being so helpful!

It’s all the little things. It’s all different, and, well, better. I was worried they wouldn’t be much of a step up from the PA7 (non plus). It’s a big upgrade.

The step up thing: Me too with the Topping B100 vs Fosi V3 (Stereo) - maybe the big step up is pure imagination - maybe it is, because the speakers are demanding and the Fosi V3 has no PFFB (post filter feedback) - may it be because my old ears are able to differentiate between 120 dB SINAD vs "only" 87.5 dB SINAD, or may it simply be because, as Bruno Putzeys says, the 32 Tone Multitone Measurements and the 19 vs 20 kHz measurements are incredibly important and the difference between the two amps here is up to 40 dB to 60 dB (60 dB at the 15 kHz measurement!). So: Perhaps it is possible to hear a difference between a very good amp (Fosi V3) and an overwhelmingly good amp (B100)!

 

[Sokel]

Instead of guessing about the thermals of each amp we talk about, here's a really nice guide and calculator along with the math .
All one has to do is measure the real estate and use the math provided here :

How to Select a Suitable Heat Sink

Laptop computer designers, audio amplifier makers, and power supply manufacturers can keep their products cooler by following these fundamental heat-sink

www.designworldonline.com

It also shows the debated horizontal - vertical difference with nice charts like this:

 

[Bogda]

There’s a selector on the front of the amp.

Thanks, I need stronger glasses.

 

[Bogda]

View attachment 432866




JSmith

What I do not understand is why Topping is insisting on "wrong" thermal design - horizontal cooling fins on sides of a case, again???
One might say it is good enough but still it still bugs and puzzles me since they obviously invested so much i a superb acoustic performance? Bad thermal design probably contributes to less than stellar reliability of some Topping devices.

Maybe they are using the same cooling blocks from LA90

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

Just place b200 on front plate facing floor

 

[blodsbror]

Topping, please design an amplifier with an internal power supply!

 

[amirm]

What I do not understand is why Topping is insisting on "wrong" thermal design - horizontal cooling fins on sides of a case, again???

It is not the wrong design if it meets their thermal requirement. This is a massive, low impedance machined aluminum case which dissipates heat quite well including on all surfaces, not just on the sides.

For many amplifiers these days, the heatsink is part of the design style of the unit. Sure, the fins also help thermal but likely this is the look they were after.

 

[amirm]

Bad thermal design probably contributes to less than stellar reliability of some Topping devices.

I haven't seen any evidence of this. Yes, they had a failure in their hybrid module but that was not because of the overall thermal design.

 

[totti1965]

Thanks, I need stronger glasses.

The switching button is also the on/off button

 

[Sokel]

I haven't seen any evidence of this. Yes, they had a failure in their hybrid module but that was not because of the overall thermal design.

Reliability may not be a concern but better thermals can help for shutting down later at stress conditions as driving low impedance for example.
The difference may be small but it's undeniably there.

By your tests I would guess of a 60-70W ballpark need of dissipation at their edge scenario? Eyeballing the case seems adequate.
But it wouldn't hurt to do it properly next time.

 

[totti1965]

This is the test I have waited for 6 months! Thank you so much!

@amirm:
The Topping B100 has very low power consumption. It was
"EDIT 2: Power Consumption
Standby power consumption is around 1.5 watt. Powered on but not playing, 9.1 watt."

Can you tell us about the power consumption of the B200?

Aaaaaah, and the peaks at power on / power off are even a bit lower with the Topping B100, so they are both the quietest amps ever measured in this regard.

Ah, and there is a typo here (I guess you wanted to say Topping B200):

View attachment 433008

@amirm who is online now: I dare to ask again (my post #119) about power consumption and some thermal measurements as you have done for the B100

 

[Old_School_Brad]

Reliability may not be a concern but better thermals can help for shutting down later at stress conditions as driving low impedance for example.
The difference may be small but it's undeniably there.

By your tests I would guess of a 60-70W ballpark need of dissipation at their edge scenario? Eyeballing the case seems adequate.
But it wouldn't hurt to do it properly next time.

Hmm. How do you figure? -It's a class A/B, no? Efficiency maybe 0.6?

 

[Sokel]

Hmm. How do you figure? -It's a class A/B, no? Efficiency maybe 0.6?

View attachment 433405

I didn't consider the 2 Ohm performance because I think no one would get this amp to drive such loads, so eyeballing the 4 Ohm performance (from the FTC-like test, who at least lasts a little longer) and subtracting it from the provided PSU power may get you close.
It's not scientifically measured of course but you can tell.

 

[amirm]

Reliability may not be a concern but better thermals can help for shutting down later at stress conditions as driving low impedance for example.
The difference may be small but it's undeniably there.

The difference in reliability can be zero. But the cost won't be if the product is overdesigned.

You have to analyze the design and properly figure out if it has weak point. Thermal management analysis may require full CFD analysis. It is not something casually done unless we have very localized heat sources exceeding part ratings.

 

[amirm]

@amirm who is online now: I dare to ask again (my post #119) about power consumption and some thermal measurements as you have done for the B100

I had to put the amp aside and get onto the next review on which, I am weeks behind. Maybe some other member can measure the power consumption.

Now I am going to sleep.