Topping L30 Headphone Amplifier Review

[o7_brother]

And how no one talked about it when A90 came out?

Because that one has XLR inputs as well... wait, do those require the standard 4Vrms from the DAC or is it some higher number?

 

[Veri]

Because that one has XLR inputs as well... wait, do those require the standard 4Vrms from the DAC or is it some higher number?

A90 can do XLR in XLR out, so with double input voltage and balanced output it will obviously go a lot louder than L30... it doesn't need >4Vrms...

 

[Yuno]

The real reason to buy this over a magni/atom gonna be availability or that sexy output switch

And better gain switch. And actual availability in Europe (pending).

Side note: my current dac/amp outputs 200mW@300Ohm, the only thing I get from this is being unable to use most of volume pot. I would gladly cut it's power in half if I could.

 

[Feanor]

The L30 is yet another stunning achievement from Topping. Amir, thanks for the review.

What could make hi-fi sound lovers happier that ultra-low cost, high-performance equipment? Clearly it's possible to do; pity it isn't done in AV receivers.

I am hoping the Topping soon comes up with a 200 wpc power amp for, say, <US$500.

 

[Infernosaint]

The A90 was tested with XLR in, 4Vrms. It measured 2W @33ohm, Unbal out, matching the spec sheet.

 

[JohnYang1997]

most rambling "audiophiles" I've seen listen at like 120db (judging from their power requirements and gear), they're most likely deaf or on the way

I can't even max out mid gain with dt880 600Ohm....

 

[JohnYang1997]

The A90 was tested with XLR in, 4Vrms. It measured 2W @33ohm, Unbal out, matching the spec sheet.

But RCA input? Anyway. I get it.

 

[Chocomel]

Because that one has XLR inputs as well... wait, do those require the standard 4Vrms from the DAC or is it some higher number?

Quick (hopefully correct maths) and a90 spec sheet would need 3Vrms input for the balanced output to get full power, ~18Vrms although higher distortion threshold than 0.1% will probably yield more power (in turn need higher input voltage). It's gain is 15.5dB or about x6 for the balanced output.

Edit: or i could have just had a better look a the spec sheet
Input sensitivity
9.5Vrms @ Gain = low
8.8Vrms @ Gain = medium
2.9Vrms @ Gain = high
This is for both the SE and balanced output so for the A90 need 3Vrms as well for the SE to get full power just like the L30, like John mentioned

 

[Infernosaint]

But RCA input? Anyway. I get it.

I don't think it was tested, at least not in the original.

I am currently using an A90 RCA in (until tomorrow) and I max out medium gain Balanced into my Sundaras. No idea what that means, but I assume I will not need nearly as much with XLR in.

 

[JohnYang1997]

Ok guys. That's cool. Next amp: +18dB gain we go.

 

[Sgt. Ear Ache]

Yes as I mentioned, for me the 3 gain stages is a nice feature. I'd ideally like to be able to max the volume on the amp and use the E30 for attenuation. I find with the Heresy, high gain is too loud maxed - i never have to have the volume in foobar much above 50%. But low gain is a little too low at max on the pot. That's with HE-400i headphones btw...

 

[Infernosaint]

Ok guys. That's cool. Next amp: +18dB gain we go.

Not for me, I love my A90, and with XLR in, I doubt I would ever even need high gain, as I make all my headphones balanced.

 

[JohnYang1997]

The real reason to buy this over a magni/atom gonna be availability or that sexy output switch

Good channel balance, absolutely no noise with most sensitive iems, actually usable with IEMs, -9dB gain setting, DC protection, DC blocking input.

 

[bahamot]

Ok guys. That's cool. Next amp: +18dB gain we go.

With A90, I never need high gain even with 600Ohm DT880. In fact I just bought Audio Technica R70x for its 400Ohm and sound tuning. Because my other headphone is Oppo PM1 (64Ohm).

 

[odyo]

How many you guys listen to headphones with high gain volume maxed?

Well i prefer L30 any day but the specs are confusing. This is as powerful as Atom then. Heresy more powerful.

I will criticize Topping product management though. There are too much products and prices all over the place. A90 could've been THX 789 killer but it's priced premium. Dac amp combos have ridiculous output impedances.

 

[JohnYang1997]

Not for me, I love my A90, and with XLR in, I doubt I would ever even need high gain, as I make all my headphones balanced.

Will it bother you if I only put it in High gain? Just asking for some suggestions. Personally I only use mid gain or -9dB gain.

 

[JohnYang1997]

Well i prefer L30 any day but the specs are confusing. This is as powerful as Atom then. Heresy more powerful.

I will criticize Topping product management though. There are too much products and prices all over the place. A90 could've been THX 789 killer but it's priced premium. Dac amp combos have ridiculous output impedances.

There will be the true THX 789 killer.

 

[odyo]

Those are not necessarily practical issues. Gain settings are. It would affect user experience if you have too much gain, unusable high gain setting.
Even in terms of performance, noise performance definitely matters for sensitive IEMs. This is one of the few amps that actually usable for sensitive IEMs. Low noise essentially made the high SINAD number.
In the end I'm not at all saying this amp is just better because it has better performance.
But at this rate of competition you need to have higher performance.

Yep strong points of THX 789. Good to see on cheaper product. Schiit high gain is ridiculous. But i don't understand the relation between gain and power. Can't you have more power but same gains ? My SBX AE5 is louder than SE THX 789 but THX have 4x more power.

 

[Veri]

Ok guys. That's cool. Next amp: +18dB gain we go.

Y though. SP200 wasn't that great with its super high gain. meh. people be deaf, I guess.

 

[odyo]

The real reason to buy this over a magni/atom gonna be availability or that sexy output switch

Honestly this is better than all.

1- Atom: Bad build. Less functionality. Doesn't matter but worse performance. $99
2- Heresy: OK build. Less functionality. Doesn't matter but worse performance. More power. $99
3- L30: +$40 premium but really nice build, knob, gains, functions, performance etc...

Atom and Heresy not easily available outside US. Only the power is a little bit disappointing imo. I was expecting same power as Heresy.