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Topping B200 Monoblock Amplifier Review
- Thread starter amirm
- Start date
Also, for fellow owners of B200s, I just purchased an E50 II DAC and discovered that this little powerhouse has an exceptionally high output voltage when set to High Amplitude (11.3V from balanced output), which easily makes the Low Gain setting a completely viable option on the B200! That'll net the extra 5 SINAD benefit between High and Low gain settings if you've been relying on High Gain to get sufficient volume with B200.
terryforsythe
Major Contributor
FYI, I have my B100s set to high gain powering the tweeters in my Elac speakers (concentric drivers). I do not hear any noise, even when putting my ear inside the midrange right next to the tweeter. I have LA90Ds powering the midranges.
As a comparison, when doing the same with my KEF LS60s, which have their own amplifiers built in, I can hear a little bit of noise, but it is not audible 1m away.
All those lovely coaxial speakers. A man of fine tastes, good sir!
terryforsythe
Major Contributor
I used speakers with separate midranges and tweeters for decades. After my experience with the Elac and KEF concentric drivers, I am never going back to separates.
Similar experience for me with KEF, although nowadays I listen to a pair of MoFi SourcePoint 8 standmounts (more Andrew Jones magic!)
terryforsythe
Major Contributor
I think so. I would use a pair of B200s or a pair of LA90Ds bridged mono.
I have a pair of LA90Ds pushing my midranges and a pair of B100s pushing my tweeters in an all active setup. I am very satisfied with them.
But, someone did have an issue with the B100s when pushing a pair of KEFs, the LS50 Metas if my memory serves me correctly. And, with the B100 Amir had an issue with the protection circuitry kicking in during the output power measurement test. You can check out the B100 thread if you want more details on that. Nonetheless, I don't believe that is an issue with the B200.
misterdog
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Yes.
Though it depends on how big your room is.
How far you are seated away from your speakers.
How loud you wish to listen.
Full - potential, could be key words.
Just wanted to let you guys know that the RCA to XLR cables from Benchmark work perfectly for connecting WiiM Ultra to Topping B200 monoblocs (which have no single-ended inputs).
Specifically these cables:
benchmarkmedia.com
Specifically these cables:
Benchmark RCA to XLRM Adapter Cable for Analog Audio - pin 3 to RCA sh
BENCHMARK STUDIO STAGE™ RCA TO XLRM ADAPTER CABLE CABLES ARE SOLD INDIVIDUALLY. Price is for one cable, order 2 for a stereo pair. Hand assembled in the USA with true silver solder Applications This special adapter cable connects unbalanced analog RCA outputs to balanced analog XLR inputs. Use...
benchmarkmedia.com
How do you turn on both the amps if your pre-amp has only one 12v trigger out?
MAB
Major Contributor
The B200 comes with a trigger cable with split.
BeeKay
Major Contributor
@amirm Would you be willing to offer feedback to Topping here?
I love the amp and would buy a companion unit in the same form factor—a single-box LiFePO₄ battery with integrated charging that the amp can sit on. It would power the amp for X hours, seamlessly switch to AC/DC when depleted, and eliminate the bulky external PSU. I’d buy several of these combos. Nothing cleaner than battery power. I'm suspicious about that 240W external supply...
I love the amp and would buy a companion unit in the same form factor—a single-box LiFePO₄ battery with integrated charging that the amp can sit on. It would power the amp for X hours, seamlessly switch to AC/DC when depleted, and eliminate the bulky external PSU. I’d buy several of these combos. Nothing cleaner than battery power. I'm suspicious about that 240W external supply...
Nathanowl,
I have tried batteries for preamps and amplifiers. Used standard lead acid for amplifiers. Wanted the horsepower. Vaporized a chunk out of a stainless blade one time when trimming lead wires. Not sure how many amps it took, I am sure hundreds to instantaneously vaporize a stainless knife blade. Loud pop and metal was gone.
But results are what counts. The LA and B series Topping amplifiers deliver the lowest distortion and noise ever seen in a commercial amplifier. With the Topping power supply.
The batteries generate noise. From the chemical reaction. Also have internal impedance.
You would never hear the difference. If you purchased the 30,000.00 analyzer and borrowed a low noise, wide band amplifier with 40dB of gain you could measure the noise levels.
I am sure the battery power will measure worse than the cheap looking wall warts Topping provides.
Take my advice with a grain of salt. It is from someone who just replaced ALL the metalized mylar capacitors in some complicated speaker crossovers. Used anti-series connected polar electrolytics for all 10ufd and up values. Used paper in oil for tweeters.
But spent a couple months gathering and testing options. Extremely happy with outcome.
Topping may not be interested in a smart battery supply. But no one can stop YOU from cobbling one up.
I'd bet you a $400 scope and the included probes would show a ton of ripple on that included PSU. I bet it's pretty bad. I'd bet you see 50-100mV ripple on there
That said, I do hear you on the "who cares" argument if the amp measures so well.
I assume there is another power supply (you can see the filtering large caps) inside the amp itself.
I'm still curious if Topping would consider it.
Besides... what happens in the apocalypse when *you* don't have power anymore? I'll be listening to music
Dave TR3A
Member
I hear your opinion. Can you back it up?
I measured my inexpensive Aiyima class D amps using my oscilloscope. The stock power supplies that came with my Aiyima amps were cleaner than a considerably more expensive Meanwell SMPS.
I had been dubious about the stock power supplies but came away convinced that they’re (well, the ones from Aiyima, at least) are actually pretty good.
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BeeKay
Major Contributor
If it just was about solving problems that simply do not exist. Typical audiophile grade of paranoia.
Odds are that one of the most perfectly measuring amps gets worse by tinkering.
Again. Amps are solved. It’s the speakers now. And rooms.
Odds are that one of the most perfectly measuring amps gets worse by tinkering.
Again. Amps are solved. It’s the speakers now. And rooms.
I think we both will listen longer than our neighbors. The natural gas here stays on when electricity goes off.Besides... what happens in the apocalypse when *you* don't have power anymore? I'll be listening to music
I suspect the Topping power bricks are highly specced. Topping seemed to be ahead of the curve on power supplies and feedback implementation.
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