Topping B200 Monoblock Amplifier Review

[Sokel]

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.

Oh,I was only talking about the vertical fin design, nothing more.
No extra cost needed, at all.

And of course not about reliability, just a few degrees more headroom.

 

[Bogda]

Vertical fins could do the same job with less material. I guess they went with horizontal fins on LA90 because you can neatly stack matching preamp on the top. It is less then ideal because poweramp is heating pre amp but it looks nice on photos.
Then they used the same cooler on B200.
Still bugs me though.

 

[EdW]

What would happen, if you combined it with a 60 Volts 6 Ampere power supply?

Depends where the current limiting occurs first. In the power supply or in the amplifier protection circuits safeguarding the output devices. 400W into 4 Ohm would require a peak current of 14A in the output devices; and for continuous operation at 400W the max power supply rating would need to approach 600W for a class AB design.
Heatsinking of the amplifier might need to be reviewed too . . .
These are some of the reasons powerful class AB amps get massive

 

[Burns]

At 30V, 50°c ambient those caps (35V, 85°) should last around 13,000 hrs. (4hrs a day for 10years). Changing to 50V 85° caps increases that to 19,000 hrs. Changing to 35V 105°c caps increases that to 52,000 hrs! So the big killer is temperature, anyone know how hot these boxes get?

Electrolytic Capacitor Life Calculator - Power Electronics Calculators and Tools

This calculator will compute W, dBW, and dBm Conversion.

eepower.com

Would using larger capacitors, apart from extending life, improve anything in the dynamics and control of the bass speakers?

 

[Burns]

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.

To make your tests consistent and easy to compare between different devices, you need to prepare an Excel table with a checklist, in which you will mark the tests you have already done, which you need to do, and which you will skip.

 

[Nango]

Continuous power, rated 5 min power and IEC 60268-3 10dB overload has not been tested, right?

Has nothing to do with dB, so probably not even considered during design and production.

 

[CedarX]

It also shows the debated horizontal - vertical difference

Side comment on the horizontal fins: it is often the result of using long extruded aluminum profiles that are cut to length to make the heat sink (minimize the machining operations).

 

[voodooless]

Side comment on the horizontal fins: it is often the result of using long extruded aluminum profiles that are cut to length to make the heat sink (minimize the machining operations).

That doesn't matter. You can make both horizontal and vertical fins this way.

 

[Sokel]

Side comment on the horizontal fins: it is often the result of using long extruded aluminum profiles that are cut to length to make the heat sink (minimize the machining operations).

That doesn't matter. You can make both horizontal and vertical fins this way.

I would only think of handling and packaging that makes the vertical ones more expensive (if we still want to look nice) as they are more sensitive, they fins bend easier*, etc

*edit: of course one can use short of frames to prevent it

 

[CedarX]

That doesn't matter. You can make both horizontal and vertical fins this way.

Yes, but the narrower the extruded profile, the cheaper it is. I was merely pointing that other considerations may play a role in these design choices.

 

[BeeKay]

Maybe we ask Topping to accept our findings, go back to the drawing board and get out a v2 with water-cooled vertical heat-sink fins and a more beefy internal PSU.

 

[Sokel]

Maybe we ask Topping to accept our findings, go back to the drawing board and get out a v2 with water-cooled vertical heat-sink fins and a more beefy internal PSU.

You can understand that thermal design is far more important than couple of dB of SINAD, right?
Not that is bad here, but if engineering excellence is what we praise (since we are far, FAR from audible concerns) every little bit of gained performance matters.

After all we talk about power amps, their sole job is to add gain and power the whole thing to our needs. You can calc yourself what it needs thermally to do that, according to your needs.

 

[Burns]

Maybe we ask Topping to accept our findings, go back to the drawing board and get out a v2 with water-cooled vertical heat-sink fins and a more beefy internal PSU.

time to move on to talking about the feet, are they quiet enough and do not transfer shocks?

 

[voodooless]

Yes, but the narrower the extruded profile, the cheaper it is.

If cheap is your goal, just take two and put them side-by-side.

 

[JSmith]

time to move on to talking about the feet, are they quiet enough and do not transfer shocks?

Do you have a lot of earthquakes there or something?


JSmith

 

[BeeKay]

You can understand that thermal design is far more important than couple of dB of SINAD, right?
Not that is bad here, but if engineering excellence is what we praise (since we are far, FAR from audible concerns) every little bit of gained performance matters.

After all we talk about power amps, their sole job is to add gain and power the whole thing to our needs. You can calc yourself what it needs thermally to do that, according to your needs.

The
Box
Is
Already
Just
Lukewarm
…

 

[voodooless]

time to move on to talking about the feet, are they quiet enough and do not transfer shocks?

The only shocking thing is the realization that is doesn't matter.

 

[Sokel]

Do you have a lot of earthquakes there or something?


JSmith

Put them beside some nice 18" subs playing sci-fi movies, it's better than earthquakes

Seriously now, as long as there's not sensitive clocks or tall, unsecured caps, I don't see a problem.

 

[Burns]

Do you have a lot of earthquakes there or something?


JSmith

I don't know, but some may have. Since there are horizontal radiators and they heat up, the B200 may start to rise like a balloon

 

[Sokel]

The
Box
Is
Already
Just
Lukewarm
…

That's nice for your use then.
Mine could differ, greatly.

Edit: If you want to see what I mean, go to fosi mono thread.
There's people measuring temps from 35°C to 60°C , depending the use.