Topping B200 Monoblock Amplifier Review

[Hindsider85]

Treat him to some percussive education with a length of clue by four.

Well, lately I have fallen into the pitfall that is OPA rolling. I know the science behind it vehemently denies this, but my ears say otherwise. xD

 

[antcollinet]

but my ears say otherwise

It is your eyes together with your brain saying it, not your ears.


Feel free to self inflict the percussive education

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Can you swap the OPAs with this device?

Asking for a friend...

No.

 

[olds1959special]

Why no volume control?

 

[Everett T]

Why no volume control?

The amp? Most don't, except maybe a gain knob. I believe this is supposed to be used with their/a preamp for VC.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Why no volume control?

Many, even most, will say because it’s a power amp, not an integrated amp.

 

[Pashchax]

Can anyone clarify the way Topping implements its 12V trigger?
(...)
How does Topping wire the stereo female TRS socket in the B200?

I don’t know how Topping wired the trigger socket, but I know that I used mono plugs and it works.

 

[Jazigo]

I can add that the B200 is working correctly with a pseudo-balanced cable (RCA -> XLR [Hypex connection]).

The normal XLR connection (4-5V) was a bit to hot, so I had to turn down the DAC volume quite a lot, but with the 2-2.5V from RCA I can run the DAC volume at about -6db, which is what I like.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

I can add that the B200 is working correctly with a pseudo-balanced cable (RCA -> XLR [Hypex connection]).

The normal XLR connection (4-5V) was a bit to hot, so I had to turn down the DAC volume quite a lot, but with the 2-2.5V from RCA I can run the DAC volume at about -6db, which is what I like.

Yes; I have tested this specifical cable for that type of use and it worked perfectly with my B200s:

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

 

[Jazigo]

Yes; I have tested this specifical cable for that type of use and it worked perfectly with my B200s:

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

• RCA center pin to star-quad + to XLR pin 2
• RCA ring to star-quad - to XLR pin 3
• RCA ring to shield braid to XLR pin 1

Same as Hypex recommend.

 

[JRR]

Will these drive KEF Reference One Meta?

My experience says: not sufficiently. These amps are much weaker than the test battery suggests and they are outgunned by the original Purify modules at 144w.

 

[Alpharius]

Amazon.com: 10 Foot RCA to XLR (Male) Cable Pair - WBC-PRO-LOCAP Low-Capacitance (14pF/ft) 22 AWG Ultra-Silent Audiophile & Pro-Grade Audio Interconnect Cable - Amphenol Plugs & Red & Silver Tweed Jackets : Electronics

Amazon.com: 10 Foot RCA to XLR (Male) Cable Pair - WBC-PRO-LOCAP Low-Capacitance (14pF/ft) 22 AWG Ultra-Silent Audiophile & Pro-Grade Audio Interconnect Cable - Amphenol Plugs & Red & Silver Tweed Jackets : Electronics

www.amazon.com

Has anyone tried these RCA -> XLR cables before? I have a 6ft pair I was planning to use for input 2 on my b200.

 

[Zuviene1]

Hi there everyone,
Came here to find an answer - can you use Hafler circuit on Toppings B200 monoblocks ?
THANKS

 

[Everett T]

Hi there everyone,
Came here to find an answer - can you use Hafler circuit on Toppings B200 monoblocks ?
THANKS

Yes and No, there is no continuously variable gain to set the levels but adding a mixer would allow for this. What gear do you currently have? If an AVR is in the mix you can use "party mode or all channels stereo" to achieve similar without the circuit. Are you looking to play older quadraphonic records or CD remixed or use any source for playback?

 

[Zuviene1]

Yes and No, there is no continuously variable gain to set the levels but adding a mixer would allow for this. What gear do you currently have? If an AVR is in the mix you can use "party mode or all channels stereo" to achieve similar without the circuit. Are you looking to play older quadraphonic records or CD remixed or use any source for playback?

It's more of a technical question if B200 could be used/ connected this way. I am thinking of two 18" woofers connected Hafler

circuit way.

 

[Everett T]

It's more of a technical question if B200 could be used/ connected this way. I am thinking of two 18" woofers connected HaflerView attachment 520926 circuit way.

Which subs are you thinking about? Total power would be one issue as you're halving the current. I wouldn't worry about the Hafler, and just run the subs in either series or parallel, but that depends on which subs.and amps. You also lose the ability for a crossover, variable polarity, potential filters like low and high pass, etc.

What is your current setup (electronic and speakers) and your room size? Is their a specific reason you want to use this type of connection.

 

[fatoldgit]

Help a brother spend some money.

So I have been sitting on the fence for around two years now, looking at changing out my 20 year old, well respected tube amps (still going strong but need a change)

Note I run four speakers (so need four channels) in a funky setup but all four speakers are driven to around the same level. Speakers are 86db efficient and don't dip below 4ohms

I have come down to two options which both come in at around $NZ 4000 (don't bother converting to something else as it's 4000 clams for me)
- 2 x apollon NC252 stereo amps
- 4 x B200's

Pro/cons:

Apollon:
- two less amps and no messy external PS
- max sinad of around 96 compared to 120 (but will my 65yo ears care aside from the wankfest of having amps with a sinad of 120)
- NC252 have been around a long time, all longevity issues resolved
- apollon are a top tier vendor
- I can buy a spare NC252 to cover issues outside of warranty
- vendor is in EU and not New Zealand

Topping:
- more boxes (basically 8 verses 2)
- better sinad (which I probably can't use)
- no track record in amp longevity
- topping will discontinue this in a year so spares in 5/10 years will be non-existent
- probably can't buy a spare board even now as a backup
- can buy locally but once outside of the stupidly short warranty period, that doesn't provide any real advantage


My gut tells me the Apollon but am I missing something special here by not getting the B200's

Thanks

Peter

 

[fritobugger]

Help a brother spend some money.

So I have been sitting on the fence for around two years now, looking at changing out my 20 year old, well respected tube amps (still going strong but need a change)

Note I run four speakers (so need four channels) in a funky setup but all four speakers are driven to around the same level. Speakers are 86db efficient and don't dip below 4ohms

I have come down to two options which both come in at around $NZ 4000 (don't bother converting to something else as it's 4000 clams for me)
- 2 x apollon NC252 stereo amps
- 4 x B200's

Pro/cons:

Apollon:
- two less amps and no messy external PS
- max sinad of around 96 compared to 120 (but will my 65yo ears care aside from the wankfest of having amps with a sinad of 120)
- NC252 have been around a long time, all longevity issues resolved
- apollon are a top tier vendor
- I can buy a spare NC252 to cover issues outside of warranty
- vendor is in EU and not New Zealand

Topping:
- more boxes (basically 8 verses 2)
- better sinad (which I probably can't use)
- no track record in amp longevity
- topping will discontinue this in a year so spares in 5/10 years will be non-existent
- probably can't buy a spare board even now as a backup
- can buy locally but once outside of the stupidly short warranty period, that doesn't provide any real advantage


My gut tells me the Apollon but am I missing something special here by not getting the B200's

Thanks

Peter

Are you aware that the B200 only has balanced inputs? Does your pre-amp have balanced outputs?

How many watts do you need?

Have you considered the Fosi V3 Mono?

Fosi Audio V3 Mono Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Fosi Audio V3 Mono class D amplifier. It was sent to me by the company. The price with the power supply I tested is US $139.99. I must say the concept of a "monoblock" amplifier in such a small size runs foul of any expectation a longtime...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[fatoldgit]

Are you aware that the B200 only has balanced inputs? Does your pre-amp have balanced outputs?

How many watts do you need?

Have you considered the Fosi V3 Mono?

Fosi Audio V3 Mono Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Fosi Audio V3 Mono class D amplifier. It was sent to me by the company. The price with the power supply I tested is US $139.99. I must say the concept of a "monoblock" amplifier in such a small size runs foul of any expectation a longtime...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I have been an audiophile for 45 years and have been running balanced for 30 years... when I was spinning vinyl my cartridge was wired for balanced output into a balanced phone stage... I only own XLR analogue cables.

My choice (for many reasons not articulated here) are the Apollon (NC252 or maybe NCx500) or the Topping B200 (or I just go wild and buy gear from well regarded establishment players).

This is all new to me in the sense that I have been buying hi-fi gear since 1980 from well regarded establishment players that have dealer/support networks and with that chain came the expectation (if you selected the right vendors) of support being available for decades and gear being designed to last decades. Now players like Topping have huge product churn with a typical device having a sales life of one year (for example, Bryston have been making DAC's for 20 years and in that time have released 4 DAC's.. topping release at least four DAC's a year).

So now we are in a world where good gear is available for reasonable $$$ but that gear has no dealer/support network, warranties are crap and the cost of gear from well regarded establishment players is now exponentially more expensive.. especially where I live due to exchange rates, transportation costs, local taxes and high holding costs for retailers.

Peter

 

[fritobugger]

I have been an audiophile for 45 years and have been running balanced for 30 years... when I was spinning vinyl my cartridge was wired for balanced output into a balanced phone stage... I only own XLR analogue cables.

My choice (for many reasons not articulated here) are the Apollon (NC252 or maybe NCx500) or the Topping B200 (or I just go wild and buy gear from well regarded establishment players).

This is all new to me in the sense that I have been buying hi-fi gear since 1980 from well regarded establishment players that have dealer/support networks and with that chain came the expectation (if you selected the right vendors) of support being available for decades and gear being designed to last decades. Now players like Topping have huge product churn with a typical device having a sales life of one year (for example, Bryston have been making DAC's for 20 years and in that time have released 4 DAC's.. topping release at least four DAC's a year).

So now we are in a world where good gear is available for reasonable $$$ but that gear has no dealer/support network, warranties are crap and the cost of gear from well regarded establishment players is now exponentially more expensive.. especially where I live due to exchange rates, transportation costs, local taxes and high holding costs for retailers.

Peter

I'm also old. A simple, "Yes, I am aware that it is balanced." would have sufficed.