Topping B200 Monoblock Amplifier Review

[Impossible]

Sorry it wasn't clear to me what is the damping factor on this, the slew rate and can you bridge them?

 

[stefanovesa]

Apologies, I meant why do you need 3 balanced inputs?

Not really needed considering the intended use with a preamp, you can see as a bonus. Probably for cost-saving reasons they use the same production line of LA-90 discrete.

 

[babadono]

Apologies, I meant why do you need 3 balanced inputs?

that is a question...asked and commented on by several. I think it is a hangover from the LA90.

 

[babadono]

Sorry it wasn't clear to me what is the damping factor on this, the slew rate and can you bridge them?

it is already a bridged output and there is only one output. Bridging would require 2...nothing is impossible but it would be tricky. I have 2 one each on the left and right bassbins of a 3 way triamped system. Even on low gain these things can blow you out of the room. I see no reason to consider bridging 2. To measure SR would require inputting square waves, Amir does not do that. Please see his tutorial on amplifier test measurements. Damping factor, this is conjecture on my part but I would assume it is reasonably high. Not as high probably as a Class D amp but still sufficiently high.

 

[Impossible]

I want to power this driver: https://eighteensound.it/en/products/hf-driver/1-5/8/ND4015BE

I am worried it may not be enough power. As its class AB so I expect slew rate to be ok but unsure about damping factor again becuase its Class AB.

 

[babadono]

113dB/1W/1M? How loud do you want? Or I guess maybe how big is the room?

 

[F1Fan72]

A subjective question I know and after reading quite a lot about these.. I’m thinking that these are approaching ‘end game’.. Thoughts?

 

[babadono]

I would think it depends on how fat your wallet is. For me they are the best amps I've ever had and I am getting on in years so for me they are probably IT. People say 'never say never'

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

I feel like as long as they have sufficient oomph for your speakers/setup, the sound quality is end-game, yes.

 

[F1Fan72]

They maybe my next purchase

 

[babadono]

They maybe my next purchase

Just remember you need a pair for stereo...I guess that's what you mean by "they"

 

[antcollinet]

I want to power this driver: https://eighteensound.it/en/products/hf-driver/1-5/8/ND4015BE

I am worried it may not be enough power. As its class AB so I expect slew rate to be ok but unsure about damping factor again becuase its Class AB.

Output impedance is given as <5 mΩ.

So damping factor of 800 into 4 ohm, or double that for 8 ohm speakers.

There is a reason damping factor is not talked about much for modern solid state amps - it is never an issue. Same with slew rate.


Oh, and the specs for your driver suggest it can go to ear damaging levels with just 1W of power. You will not be short of power with the B200.

However for the money I'd be going for a hypex or purify class D solution rather than the class A of the B200

 

[board]

I think for transistor amps normally not more than +/- 0.25 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
Perhaps there are some exceptions out there. Extreme speakers, Low damping factor (usually in the heights!) transistor amps. So some transistors my sound a bit to relaxed in the high frequency’s. Perhaps 1 dB at 20 kHz…..

For tube amps: Other story because often the output impedance is higher than 0.4 Ohms (Damping factor less than 20!) and they don’t control the speaker as perfect as a purify amp. Then the result may be in the range of your guesses!

For tube Amps it is necessary to put 3 parts more in the crossover for flatten the impedance of the speaker.

So, then we're at a different conclusion than what we started out with:
Originally I proposed the hypothesis that certain amps can be distinguished audibly because of an altered frequency response due to the load the speakers put on the amp, and you said that my hypothesis was correct - although I should admit that I didn't use the words "transistor" or "tube", so there's that.

Do you now think my hypothesis is wrong, if we stick to transistor amps? We could also stick to the three amps I previously mentioned (Arcam SR250, Naim NAP 200 + NAC 202, and Nord Purifi integrated) if that's better.

Again, I'm just trying to pick the brain of someone who knows more about it than I do and therefore would be able to help me .

 

[antcollinet]

Do you now think my hypothesis is wrong, if we stick to transistor amps?

Yes it is wrong. There are almost no modern solid state amps with high enough output impedence to cause an audible change in the system frequency response due to load variance. Except perhaps in poorly designed "low feedback" "audiophile" "concoctions" But even then, probably not.

 

[howard416]

Obviously state of the art performance, but at this level of performance and price point, I hate that it has an external PSU. Especially as it is above 50 V, which is the threshold for many electrical safety rules in various places.

 

[misterdog]

I hate that it has an external PSU. Especially as it is above 50 V, which is the threshold for many electrical safety rules in various places.

My loudspeakers have 3 kV.

 

[howard416]

My loudspeakers have 3 kV.

Yeah, and?

Have I forgotten that a heck of a lot of stuff runs off of 120 VAC and 240 VAC? No.

 

[antcollinet]

Obviously state of the art performance, but at this level of performance and price point, I hate that it has an external PSU. Especially as it is above 50 V, which is the threshold for many electrical safety rules in various places.

I also wouldn't buy an amp at this price level with an external PSU - two of them for a pair.

But this is not a safety issue, any more than the kettle cord for your .... kettle ... carrying a much higher voltage is.

For me it is simply a convenience and aesthetic issue.

 

[Zuviene1]

Hi all, do I need preamp for B200, or Topping D90III Discreate is enough?
Thank you

 

[EdW]

Hi all, do I need preamp for B200, or Topping D90III Discreate is enough?
Thank you

The Topping D90 111 has a digital volume control - use the supplied remote for convenience