Topping L30 Headphone Amplifier Review

[escalibur]

I just added this notice to the review:

EDIT: I have learned that one member has had his headphones damaged in use of the L30 headphone amplifier. Topping is aware of this and is trying to investigate. This could be an isolated experience and hopefully it is. If not, I wanted members to know about this potential issue.

FYI I have not kept track of this myself so don't know anymore than I have typed above.

Please update the topic as well.

 

[ngs428]

It's poor English but I suspect they meant to type:

"... to a charge equaling 20% of the total cost to cover these fees."

"the total cost" being what you paid for the product.

Quite possibly as that would be how most of these policies work. As written that is not what I am comprehending. I am not using the policy, so more of an FYI for others out there considering to exercise this Apos policy.

 

[GGroch]

I just added this notice to the review:

EDIT: I have learned that one member has had his headphones damaged in use of the L30 headphone amplifier. Topping is aware of this and is trying to investigate.,,,,,,

amirm, I believe the number of existing ASR members who reported blown L30s that took out headphones is three. Myself (post 2534) as well as posts 2,391 and post 2,315. I count 4 posts by new members who joined to describe the problem (2,309, 2,418, 2,512, and 2,596). Perhaps "several" would be a more accurate description.

Considering the length of the discussion I had figured the number was higher...but I can't see anyone who is keeping tabs. I imagine hundreds of existing ASR members bought L30s so the percentage is not high. However, many like me may not have reported the failure immediately.

 

[artburda]

Your findings would be interesting to say the least. When did you purchase yours btw? To know if it's an early one or not..

I finally did the ESD stress test. All I can say is: I had to retire the L30. It sent my Motu M4 into some sort of protection mode and a samsung galaxy 3303 earbud has now a crippled right driver that gets hot when playing music.

 

[_theLaughingman]

Considering the length of the discussion I had figured the number was higher...but I can't see anyone who is keeping tabs. I imagine hundreds of existing ASR members bought L30s so the percentage is not high. However, many like me may not have reported the failure immediately.

I proactively returned mine because I couldn't figure out why I was getting pops and crackles in my headphones when listening to music or videos. I discussed that in a prior post as well.

 

[Jack]

Well this is a bummer, hopefully they can figure out what's going wrong. I was looking forward to pushing the one I just bought yesterday.

 

[amirm]

amirm, I believe the number of existing ASR members who reported blown L30s that took out headphones is three. Myself (post 2534) as well as posts 2,391 and post 2,315. I count 4 posts by new members who joined to describe the problem (2,309, 2,418, 2,512, and 2,596). Perhaps "several" would be a more accurate description.

Thanks. Updated the notice. I had only heard of the one instance myself as I have not been keeping up with the topic.

 

[NemoReborn]

The single 1-star rating doesn't have an accompanying review.

The ReviewMeta for the Topping L30 looks good, granted there aren't many reviews yet.

It's hard to know what to think of that review because we don't know what equipment the reviewer was using before. It's possible that the previous device was not flat, the reviewer got used to that signature, and now the reviewer is hearing and not liking the true sound signature of the equipment. The only way to know for sure would be to have the reviewer take a measurement.

Amir's measurement shows that the frequency response of the unit he tested was flat as a pancake:

In fact. During the 5 first minutes of listening, ive noticed a slight difference in bass between the l30 stack and the midi3/heresy stack.
Bass felt definitely lighter .. id say especially in sub bass ...

but in revenged felt less congested..

 

[enomiss]

If you are in the US and want to avoid the anxiety, return it and get a JDS Labs Atom or Schiit Heresy. Each of them also measures extremely accurate, such that the L30, Atom, and Heresy should all be indistinguishable in sound quality from each other due to the limits of human hearing. And they can power difficult to drive headphones just as well. So your listening experience would be just as good.

Worthless comment. We (most) buy L30 cos we buy E30. We (most) want the combo. E30 plus whatever looks horrible on desk.

 

[SJ777]

Worthless comment. We (most) buy L30 cos we buy E30. We (most) want the combo. E30 plus whatever looks horrible on desk.

In what way, shape or form is that @raistlin65's comment worthless? Good advice given in good faith. If you want a matching stack then that's great. Others may prefer something else, particularly in light of the documented issues with the L30.

I rather like a mix-and-match approach. It's somewhat reminiscent of the mismatched bikini that so often graces the physique of many a celebrity beach-goer.

For my part I pair the JDS Atom HPA with the Topping D50s DAC. Great combo that won't fry your phones - the benefits of a plastic case!

 

[enomiss]

Topping must :

1. Find a technical solution to the L30 issue, or at least a workaround that doesn't degrade the amp performance.
   Like John said, they hope to get it done by february or so.
   
   
2. Offer a free L30 exchange to all L30 customers who request it, upon proof of purchase.
   Procedure should be easy and not handicapping for customers. For example :
   • Option 1 : Customer doesn't pay anything. He sends his L30. Topping receives it, checks it, and sends back a new L30.
   • Option 2 : Customer deposits a caution fee. Topping sends a new L30. The customer receives it and sends back the old L30. Topping receives it, checks it, and reimburses the caution fee.
     --> This would allow all customers who want it to receive a new L30 before sending back the old one, thus not being handicapped.
3. Fix the sent-back L30s (upgrade them to the latest revision) and sell them again as refurbished.

There is no other way IMHO.

Who pays for sending it back?
Why is sending back needed after the research is done? Serial number of purchase is enough.
What happens to the (perhaps better) warranty that one had with the original purchase? For example I bought it from a Dutch webshop, I explicitly chose that over the cheaper AliExpress (or whatever method coming directly from China). I don't like sending things back to China for RMA.

Here is a better procedure, also better for the planet:

1. Customer sends proof of purchase in digital form to Topping over e-mail with a specific subject as instructed by Topping.
2. Topping let's customers choose:
   • A: Receive new unit from new batch directly from China with warranty as can be expected from a China purchase.
   • B: Refund of original purchase. ---> Customer gets his money back and can explore where to buy a new L30 from the new batch (some shops advertise with serial number).
3. If there is a price increase for the new purchase, customer can send proof of purchase again and get a refund for the extra costs.
4. If Topping has direct relations with certain shops, step 1 to 3 can be skipped and Topping can instruct these shops to help their customers. Topping could publish a list of Shops where this is possible.
5. Make someone poor happy with your 'not trusted L30'. Make pic of super happy kid with 'not trusted L30' and send it to Topping for winning another L30.
6. Realize we are rich whining pricks. Anyway I think step 1 to 4 would do.

 

[raif71]

Btw L30 is available at Drop atm. Available in all 4 colors. https://drop.com/buy/topping-l30-headphone-amplifier

Should be matching with these men's cologne

 

[raistlin65]

Worthless comment. We (most) buy L30 cos we buy E30. We (most) want the combo. E30 plus whatever looks horrible on desk.

Well, it's a good thing my comment wasn't directed towards you.

I was replying directly to a student who bought his L30 through Amazon. He was still within the return period and wondering what he should do.

Meanwhile, I've seen lots of photos of setups on reddit and head-fi that don't stack so neatly on top of each other. So without hard evidence, I am not convinced of your assessment that "most" people are concerned as much about matching as you are.

 

[filipduarte]

Who pays for sending it back?
Why is sending back needed after the research is done? Serial number of purchase is enough.
What happens to the (perhaps better) warranty that one had with the original purchase? For example I bought it from a Dutch webshop, I explicitly chose that over the cheaper AliExpress (or whatever method coming directly from China). I don't like sending things back to China for RMA.

Here is a better procedure, also better for the planet:

1. Customer sends proof of purchase in digital form to Topping over e-mail with a specific subject as instructed by Topping.
2. Topping let's customers choose:
   • A: Receive new unit from new batch directly from China with warranty as can be expected from a China purchase.
   • B: Refund of original purchase. ---> Customer gets his money back and can explore where to buy a new L30 from the new batch (some shops advertise with serial number).
3. If there is a price increase for the new purchase, customer can send proof of purchase again and get a refund for the extra costs.
4. If Topping has direct relations with certain shops, step 1 to 3 can be skipped and Topping can instruct these shops to help their customers. Topping could publish a list of Shops where this is possible.
5. Make someone poor happy with your 'not trusted L30'. Make pic of super happy kid with 'not trusted L30' and send it to Topping for winning another L30.
6. Realize we are rich whining pricks. Anyway I think step 1 to 4 would do.

If Topping pays for shipping, for example via DHL, I will ship mine without problems.
Now shipping an object to China in my country is extremely expensive and may be dangerously close to the value of a new one.

Edit: I made a simulation and the price goes from $ 50.00 "to the infinity and beyond"

 

[Jose Hidalgo]

Who pays for sending it back?

That has yet to be determined by Topping. Wait for their procedure.

Why is sending back needed after the research is done? Serial number of purchase is enough.

Because of this :

Fix the sent-back L30s (upgrade them to the latest revision) and sell them again as refurbished.

Why would Topping offer you a brand new L30 when they can offer you a brand new L30 AND sell a refurbished L30 to minimize losses ?
Of course it all depends on the production cost for a L30 vs. the cost of refurbishing a L30. That needs to be decided by Topping.

Here is a better procedure, also better for the planet

Better for you, no doubt. For Topping, I'm not so sure.
I just tried to imagine a procedure that would be good for both the customers and Topping. Maybe the production cost for a L30 is low enough to make your procedure better, and maybe it isn't. Just don't be so assertive. At least add "IMHO" to your sentences like I do. A little humility goes a long way.

 

[BDWoody]

Worthless comment.

Seemed like some sound advice given in good faith.
Maybe take the edge off.

 

[Screwdriver]

i came across this review and i only learned about the topping L30 problem today - mine is 2007******
i bought mine thru amazon shenzhen audio store - sept 9 2020 .
its my only amp and i sue it with the e30 - this will be a rough few weeks for me - iw ont use it for now
wonder whats a good amp to get right now .

 

[Doodski]

JDS Labs Atom
JDS Labs El Amp II
Schiit product is nice too. I'm not sure what models are preferable but somebody can chime in on what is good.

 

[jeffbook]

Serial number series 2011. Arrived last Tuesday from Amazon (HiFi College). Will try to wait to see what Topping says.. JDS Atom looks like a good replacement possibility.

 

[raif71]

JDS Labs Atom
JDS Labs El Amp II
Schiit product is nice too. I'm not sure what models are preferable but somebody can chime in on what is good.

I just got a used Schiit Magni 3+ the other day. It's comparable to L30 in both price and performance.