Topping B200 Monoblock Amplifier Review

[BeeKay]

It's the coolest running amplifier I have had, of many.

Can confirm.

 

[Jimster480]

Thsse look really good, Just wondering what the real difference would be versus a Fosi v3 mono block. I don't think there would be really any audibility differences here, but maybe some more power on tap.

 

[Froller]

Hi everyone!
So, here's the situation. I'm trying to connect my Chord TT2 DAC via XLR to a Topping B200. When the amps are in low-gain mode, everything works fine, though I have to crank the volume on the DAC quite high. Both the DAC's low and high gain settings work without issues in this mode.

The weird part happens when I switch both amplifier units to high-gain—they go into protection mode, and not necessarily at the same time but in 5-10 sec on very low volume. Only the INT1 LED lights up.

Any ideas what could be causing this? What should I check or try?

 

[antcollinet]

Hi everyone!
So, here's the situation. I'm trying to connect my Chord TT2 DAC via XLR to a Topping B200. When the amps are in low-gain mode, everything works fine, though I have to crank the volume on the DAC quite high. Both the DAC's low and high gain settings work without issues in this mode.

The weird part happens when I switch both amplifier units to high-gain—they go into protection mode, and not necessarily at the same time but in 5-10 sec on very low volume. Only the INT1 LED lights up.

Any ideas what could be causing this? What should I check or try?

Check for DC out of your DAC.

 

[whoever]

Hello Audioscience peeps.

My first post here....after reading a lot, understanding 10%, but finding it quite interesting!

Got mine yesterday.....packaging and build is fantastic....

have to let it play a day or two....but what came up immediatly is MUCH more layers and precision. The bass is much more differentiate and, let's say multidimensional, than with my former Mytek Amp (MK1).
Happy to have moved on....!!

 

[Jimster480]

Hello Audioscience peeps.

My first post here....after reading a lot, understanding 10%, but finding it quite interesting!

Got mine yesterday.....packaging and build is fantastic....

have to let it play a day or two....but what came up immediatly is MUCH more layers and precision. The bass is much more differentiate and, let's say multidimensional, than with my former Mytek Amp (MK1).
Happy to have moved on....!!

Yea this amp looks incredible

 

[mikela]

If power is a concern, won't the LA90D in bridged low gain mode give you almost identical performance from a SINAD, distortion perspective? Just wondering how the B200s would compare to a pair of LA90Ds in bridged mode.

 

[SYJ]

Thsse look really good, Just wondering what the real difference would be versus a Fosi v3 mono block. I don't think there would be really any audibility differences here, but maybe some more power on tap.

I have both. I think Fosi V3 Mono is good enough for many types of music, however, the Symphonic or Concerto the B200 is definitely better however at at more expensive.

 

[mike70]

I have both. I think Fosi V3 Mono is good enough for many types of music, however, the Symphonic or Concerto the B200 is definitely better however at at more expensive.

why is better?

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

why is better?

Probably this:

versus

And there is also this:

versus

However, the V3 Mono does win out if your speakers are pushing all the way down to 2ohms:

versus

 

[mike70]

Probably this:
View attachment 446654

versus

View attachment 446655

And there is also this:
View attachment 446657

versus

View attachment 446658

However, the V3 Mono does win out if your speakers are pushing all the way down to 2ohms:
View attachment 446659

versus

View attachment 446660

well, you don't post exactly your conclusions ... so i will bet you refer to a higher noise at 15khz and upper frequencies (aprox -55dB).
but ... that's is objectively tested with a blind listening?
i mean ... 15khz and upper frequencies, i doubt any person can hear it, and if they can, the ear is very low sensitive to distortion on that range.
We can do the sin to use the theoretical implicancies of measurements as "mantras", where the real use case needs to be checked.
I'm saying you're wrong? NO ... i'm saying (maybe) what you said works in theoryland ... but (maybe) not in practiceland.

That's all.
If you, knowing this, wants to buy one or another ... perfect! ... but be careful with the theoretical generalizations.

Maybe (and i bet for), the 2 amplifiers are totally indistinguishable in a blind listening with levelled gains (and that's is science as SINAD table ... but applied science).
In my case, i use the measurements as a "level of engineering" and then to get a real price/performance ratio to decide ... not too much thinking in 20 or 30 dB better SINAD is a direct rule to that.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

well, you don't post exactly your conclusions ... so i will bet you refer to a higher noise at 15khz and upper frequencies (aprox -55dB).
but ... that's is objectively tested with a blind listening?
i mean ... 15khz and upper frequencies, i doubt any person can hear it, and if they can, the ear is very low sensitive to distortion on that range.
We can do the sin to use the theoretical implicancies of measurements as "mantras", where the real use case needs to be checked.
I'm saying you're wrong? NO ... i'm saying (maybe) what you said works in theoryland ... but (maybe) not in practiceland.

That's all.
If you, knowing this, wants to buy one or another ... perfect! ... but be careful with the theoretical generalizations.

Maybe (and i bet for), the 2 amplifiers are totally indistinguishable in a blind listening with levelled gains (and that's is science as SINAD table ... but applied science).
In my case, i use the measurements as a "level of engineering" and then to get a real price/performance ratio to decide ... not too much thinking in 20 or 30 dB better SINAD is a direct rule to that.

I don't have a horse in this race--I'm just trying to guess why @SYJ came to the conclusion that they did. That being said, objective statement is objective. The numbers speak for themselves--whether the individual can hear it or not is an entirely different issue and not specifically tested, so nothing to say on that.

For some people, they need to see the numbers to attain their peace of mind, consistent audibility be damned.

 

[ZolaIII]

well, you don't post exactly your conclusions ... so i will bet you refer to a higher noise at 15khz and upper frequencies (aprox -55dB).
but ... that's is objectively tested with a blind listening?
i mean ... 15khz and upper frequencies, i doubt any person can hear it, and if they can, the ear is very low sensitive to distortion on that range.
We can do the sin to use the theoretical implicancies of measurements as "mantras", where the real use case needs to be checked.
I'm saying you're wrong? NO ... i'm saying (maybe) what you said works in theoryland ... but (maybe) not in practiceland.

That's all.
If you, knowing this, wants to buy one or another ... perfect! ... but be careful with the theoretical generalizations.

Maybe (and i bet for), the 2 amplifiers are totally indistinguishable in a blind listening with levelled gains (and that's is science as SINAD table ... but applied science).
In my case, i use the measurements as a "level of engineering" and then to get a real price/performance ratio to decide ... not too much thinking in 20 or 30 dB better SINAD is a direct rule to that.

You can hear it on particularly mentioned Fosi (tho as I remember they have better power driven one which isn't more load dependent than good A-B one so there is that) even with average sensitive speakers (@5 KHz not playing anything with enough gain). B200 will have it beried under (25/30 dB lin/non lin) for 100 dB sensitive one's. It's A-B (F) in G bridged design (B200) so not for speakers that would dive under 4 Ohms more than marginally. It has a performance as good IEM's DAC and to drive (very) sensitive speakers with pride.

 

[mike70]

You can hear it on particularly mentioned Fosi (tho as I remember they have better power driven one which isn't more load dependent than good A-B one so there is that) even with average sensitive speakers

why? ... other inference from graphics?

 

[ZolaIII]

why? ... other inference from graphics?

Nothing to do with EMI. If noise flor isn't under sensitivity to given gain you get static hum or his (or both but you ignore hum as it fades with distance much faster). EMI shielding, decoupling, separate power feed and filtering and so on is another story.

 

[snappychop]

Suggest watching Old Guy Hi-Fi's review of this prior to purchasing.

 

[BeeKay]

Suggest watching Old Guy Hi-Fi's review of this prior to purchasing.

because … ?

 

[snappychop]

because … ?

He is quite knowledgeable & experienced when it comes to hi-fi equipment, and his review was less than stellar--to put it mildly. I haven't seen him have such a negative impression of a piece of gear since he started making videos. I guess most retailers have a return policy though, if the amp isn't to their liking.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

He is quite knowledgeable & experienced when it comes to hi-fi equipment, and his review was less than stellar--to put it mildly. I haven't seen him have such a negative impression of a piece of gear since he started making videos. I guess most retailers have a return policy though, if the amp isn't to their liking.

He’s a pure subjectivist and stands for the exact polar opposite of what ASR is about. Suggesting taking his advice won’t get anywhere around here. Same for Randy the Cheap Audio Man or Lachlan from Passion for Sound. Even worse would be Paul McGowan from PS Audio.

 

[snappychop]

He’s a pure subjectivist and stands for the exact polar opposite of what ASR is about.

True. I come here often for guidance, but I also listen to subjective reviews as well. Maybe I should zip it. Haha. OG HiFi does bring a fairly strong level of technical knowledge to his reviews, but he doesn't rely on measurements.