Topping L30 Headphone Amplifier Review

[WoodyLuvr]

...Typical Chi-Fi electronics that will destroy your headphones. I should have known better than to buy Chi-Fi. I once bought a Chinese DAC for $500 that sounded AMAZING but died after only three months. I should have learned my lesson then. Well, I sure have learned to stay away from Chi-Fi now.
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I have a Ray Samuels XP-7 amplifier made in the USA that I purchased in 2003 or 2004. It still works flawlessly today and is the best amp I own. Heck, Ray would even sell you one today as they are still available on his website after seventeen years! Quality components and USA made is worth the money.
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You all need to do yourself a really big favor and buy American. If you can't afford a Ray Samuels or other American amp, get a USA made $99 Schiit Magni 3+ or $99 Schiit Heresy. Ultimately, stay away from the Chi-Fi crap. That way you don't have a disposable amp that you will have to throw in the trash. So what if it sounds good for two weeks. You won't have a working amp after that and now even this craziness of Chi-Fi now killing your cherished headphones.

FYI
As per the following thread linked below "@$*-Fi" is no longer an acceptable term here on ASR. Please respectfully refrain from using it further; thank you.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/.../lets-avoid-the-term-chi-fi.18243/post-594347

 

[mt196]

Lol the magical Mmmurica quality!

 

[WoodyLuvr]

Lol the magical Mmmurica quality!

I know you may have said this in jest but it will only be taken the wrong way and will further aggravate the situation. Let's try to keep this thread civil and polite in order to better help and respect those who have been directly affected by the issue at hand and are dealing with it.

 

[virtua]

I'm really satisfied with how Topping has handled this and the response has solidified my confidence in the brand. I know it's unfortunate this has happened, and I feel bad for the people who had their headphones destroyed - but I can understand how it might have flown under the radar for quite some time. I really don't understand the anti-chinese sentiment. Topping in my opinion has handled this situation very well and especially props to John Yang as I've seen him active and giving us constant updates not only here but on many other platforms as well - he's gone above and beyond in that regard.

The recall on L30 amplifiers was issued fairly quickly and seems to be very strong from sellers, and knowing that not only has Topping taken their time to remediate the issue issuing out 2012 SN amplifiers (which realistically remediate our real issue with damaged headphones and possible hearing damage in extension), John is working on an update beyond that to the L30 design which could see it be just about the safest amplifier design at minimum around it's own price point, showing that lessons learnt has been taken to heart and has been used to further improve their products to another level.

This is not the sort of response you will see from any old random no-name brand, this is quality.

I'll likely wait for the revised model, which I'm happy to wait for as I really like the L30 and its the only amplifier that I know of at the price which has the -9db gain mode which I appreciate as I'm a quiet listener.

 

[ronwan]

My headphone also got damaged, having distortion now in both channels. S/N=2010xxx

Topping offered no hassle support, offering to replace the amp immediately. Too bad it cost me my Sennheiser 560.. but nevertheless they way they deal with it gives a positive feeling.
Things go wrong (except in my own company of course) and its all about how you deal with it. If they replace the amp, I will get a new headphone... sharing our pain together. For sure exceeds my expectations, which says something about both their reaction and my expectations.

 

[renaudrenaud]

My headphone also got damaged, having distortion now in both channels. S/N=2010xxx

Topping offered no hassle support, offering to replace the amp immediately. Too bad it cost me my Sennheiser 560.. but nevertheless they way they deal with it gives a positive feeling.
Things go wrong (except in my own company of course) and its all about how you deal with it. If they replace the amp, I will get a new headphone... sharing our pain together. For sure exceeds my expectations, which says something about both their reaction and my expectations.

I want to see Topping continuing to sell excellent electronics. These brands (no more "xxx-Fi") from China have revolutionized the market and allowed us to save a lot of money.

 

[Giangi71]

Anyway, L30 is still the best SE headset amplifier for low impedance and sensible headphones (not a question of price), imho

 

[raistlin65]

JDS Atom also doesn't have protection whatsoever. DC in DC out, no protection. So USA made = better quality is simply BS.

How many headphones have you heard being destroyed by an Atom amp? I've never heard of any, and the Atom has been out for over 2 years and is an extremely popular headphone amp.

The L30 has been out around 6 months, and it has destroyed several pairs. So definitely seems like the Atom is better designed in this regard.

 

[Lucco]

My headphone also got damaged, having distortion now in both channels. S/N=2010xxx
Topping offered no hassle support, offering to replace the amp immediately. Too bad it cost me my Sennheiser 560.. but nevertheless they way they deal with it gives a positive feeling.
Things go wrong (except in my own company of course) and its all about how you deal with it. If they replace the amp, I will get a new headphone... sharing our pain together. For sure exceeds my expectations, which says something about both their reaction and my expectations.

I respect your point of view, but personally, I don't agree with that.

If you bought an L30 and it damaged your headphone, due to a technical defect, in my opinion, Topping should be responsible for the amplifier and the headphone, as a indemnity (insurance compensation for damages or loss).

Imagine you buy an L30 ($150) and plug an Meze Empyrean ($3,000) into it. After a few days of use, the L30 explodes and damages your Meze.
Topping will have a loss of approximately $100 (cost of manufacturing and shipping an L30) and you will have a loss of $ 3,000.

 

[facboy]

@JohnYang1997

• Within the replacement program, is it possible to add a note that one is willing to wait for an ESD fixed version to be send out as preplacement?
• Are you first cleaning 2012 stock for the replacements and do you continue to produce the non ESD fixed version until the fix is introduced in the manufacturing process?

I think a lot of people are very happy with the replacement program (I appreciate it a lot), but the same people are bit disappointed that they are still getting a version without the ESD fix.
With a warranty of only 1 year, I don't really understand your previous comment where you said it doesn't really matter if the L30 breaks, because you can get a replacement unit anyway. Most of us are probably hoping to use this device for several more years...

Maybe ask people that are requesting a replacement if they are willing to wait for an ESD version to be shipped to them?

my seller has said that "Topping send you a version without problem" but there may be a language issue. as far as i know there's been no word yet of an ESD fixed batch?

 

[Fregly]

Lol the magical Mmmurica quality!

Nobel Laureates

Mmmurica 390
Italy 20

 

[hottyson]

FYI
As per the following thread linked below "@$*-Fi" is no longer an acceptable term here on ASR. Please respectfully refrain from using it further; thank you.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/.../lets-avoid-the-term-chi-fi.18243/post-594347

View attachment 106187

I apologize. I was attempting to equate the poor track record of all of my Chinese mass produced gear in comparison to all of my other gear. I had just finished repairing a broken Little Dot amplifier that was constructed poorly from the factory and got caught up in the moment. I shall not use that term here. No intention meant to insult anyone here. Please accept my apology.

 

[Giangi71]

What does it mean Murica? Extreme patriottism or parochialism?

 

[Veri]

What does it mean Murica? Extreme patriottism or parochialism?

"Murica" is just derisive name for USA, but @all please let's stay on-topic this is hardly the place..

 

[filipduarte]

my seller has said that "Topping send you a version without problem" but there may be a language issue. as far as i know there's been no word yet of an ESD fixed batch?

Same with me, they are insisting that I send the serial number now and they will send "the latest version" when it becomes available ...

 

[threni]

I respect your point of view, but personally, I don't agree with that.

If you bought an L30 and it damaged your headphone, due to a technical defect, in my opinion, Topping should be responsible for the amplifier and the headphone, as a indemnity (insurance compensation for damages or loss).

Imagine you buy an L30 ($150) and plug an Meze Empyrean ($3,000) into it. After a few days of use, the L30 explodes and damages your Meze.
Topping will have a loss of approximately $100 (cost of manufacturing and shipping an L30) and you will have a loss of $ 3,000.

People keep saying Topping is legally responsible. To the extent that anyone is responsible, it's usually the supplier/seller who is responsible. It's nothing to do with the manufacturer. Perhaps it could/should/would be, but it's not. A manufacturer can offer a warranty, and can decide what they're going to cover, and Topping has already stated they're not interested in covering the repair/replacement cost of damaged headphones. You're better off contacting your home insurance, credit card company or retailer. Topping aren't interested.

 

[Lucco]

People keep saying Topping is legally responsible.

Just to clarify: I never said that "Topping is legally responsible". Especially because each country has its own "consumer rights law".
As I said earlier, I respect your opinion and I respect Topping's "return and refund policy". The company is not forcing anyone to buy their equipment, but as a consumer, I also have the right to have my opinion, and...

in my opinion, Topping should be responsible for the amplifier and the headphone, as a indemnity (insurance compensation for damages or loss).

 

[threni]

Just to clarify: I never said that "Topping is legally responsible". Especially because each country has its own "consumer rights law".
As I said earlier, I respect your opinion and I respect Topping's "return and refund policy". The company is not forcing anyone to buy their equipment, but as a consumer, I also have the right to have my opinion, and...

When I'm king, I'm going to ban covers of Beatles songs, but for now I'm powerless to prevent them. Likewise, you're free to hold your opinion that "Topping should be responsible for the amplifier and the headphone" (a right I'll probably let you keep as your king, unless you displease me). I was simply pointing out that it's not currently true. This is not an opinion.

 

[Lero]

Nobel Laureates

Mmmurica 390
Italy 20

facepalm

 

[Jose Hidalgo]

When I'm king, I'm going to ban covers of Beatles songs

I wouldn't.
Plus banning, censoring, all totalitarian impulses are generally bad, ya know...