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Topping L30 Headphone Amplifier Review
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Pdxwayne
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Would someone please help confirm if power off and on the L30 (like unplugged and plug in the power supply) would produce any pops to external speakers (connected via RAC out of L30) when L30 is in either preamp or headphones mode?
Also, if the connected DAC is producing pops during power on and off, if L30 is already powered off, would it still pass on the signal of DAC to connected external amp?
Thanks!
Also, if the connected DAC is producing pops during power on and off, if L30 is already powered off, would it still pass on the signal of DAC to connected external amp?
Thanks!
Vini darko
Major Contributor
Never had any pops from the l30 it's one of it's best features. I use it as a pre amp and headphone amp and have no fear using the switches.
Jose Hidalgo
Major Contributor
So here we are, early november and some questions pending.
John, a Topping update would be most welcome, hopefully with some precise blue & red availability info. Thanks !
Waiting for assembly.So here we are, early november and some questions pending.
John, a Topping update would be most welcome, hopefully with some precise blue & red availability info. Thanks !
Jose Hidalgo
Major Contributor
If one month ago you could give us an estimated date, I certainly hope that you'll be able to do it again now. You know that's the info that we want.
If that bothers you, imagine how much it bothers us to keep waiting week after week. 
I don't like giving dates not because it bothers me but the fact I can't guarantee everything would go as planned tightly. I mean it's pretty close to it now. Assembly will be pretty fast. Then there's shipping etc.If one month ago you could give us an estimated date, I certainly hope that you'll be able to do it again now. You know that's the info that we want.
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That's a great table actually
I would have thought that the HD600 required much more current, but no, it's voltage. And even that is well within L30 limits of course.
- Audioquest Nighthawk : 25 Ohm / 100dB per mW --> 0.55 V and 22 mA for 105 dB SPL
- Hifiman Sundara : 37 Ohm / 94dB per mW --> 0.68 V and 18 mA for 105 dB SPL
- Sennheiser HD600 : 300 Ohm / 100dB per mW --> 0.97 V and 3 mA for 105 dB SPL
Yes, and the killers for most amps aren't high impedance (600 ohm say) but low(ish) impedance and low sensitivity. So the mr speakers aeons now or the legendary Hifiman he6 50 ohm and 83.5 dB (don't know if that's mw or v) which is waaay lower than the Sundara. I suppose high impedance and very low sensitivity might be a problem too. Not aware what models fit into that bracket.
raif71
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broondan
New Member
Hey everyone, I've been really enjoying my L30 for the past month or so, but recently I've started encountering a few problems. I've searched around ASR and the web, and I haven't found many others that have experienced the same issues, so I've decided to create an account (after lurking for several months) to post here and share my experiences.
Current setup is Topping L30 connected via Amazonbasics 3.5mm to 2-male RCA adapter cable to Tempotec Sonata HD Pro conected to my pc via USB-C, playing Spotify Premium.
I've recently experienced hearing static in the right channel and the right channel cutting in and out from time to time on my L30 and I've ruled out the headphones (and cables) themselves by trying them with other sources with no issue. Similarly, I've swapped the RCA cables between left and right and the right side would still cut out on my heaphones, which isolates the issue with the amp (please correct me if I'm wrong). What I find weird is that sometimes when I tap the amp, it may fix the issue momentarily, but also results in more static and sometimes even a loud pop (painful) through my headphones. Ever since these issues started, I've also noticed a slight channel imbalance with the right side being slightly quieter than the left, as well as static coming from the right channel when adjusting the volume pot (with or without music playing). Additionally, there is a somewhat loud pop that comes from the right channel when I turn on or off the amp.
I don't think these issues are normal, but I wanted to see whether anyone else has experienced these issues. The return period has passed on Amazon, but I'm going to try contacting the seller. If I'm using the amp incorrectly, please let me know as well.
Current setup is Topping L30 connected via Amazonbasics 3.5mm to 2-male RCA adapter cable to Tempotec Sonata HD Pro conected to my pc via USB-C, playing Spotify Premium.
I've recently experienced hearing static in the right channel and the right channel cutting in and out from time to time on my L30 and I've ruled out the headphones (and cables) themselves by trying them with other sources with no issue. Similarly, I've swapped the RCA cables between left and right and the right side would still cut out on my heaphones, which isolates the issue with the amp (please correct me if I'm wrong). What I find weird is that sometimes when I tap the amp, it may fix the issue momentarily, but also results in more static and sometimes even a loud pop (painful) through my headphones. Ever since these issues started, I've also noticed a slight channel imbalance with the right side being slightly quieter than the left, as well as static coming from the right channel when adjusting the volume pot (with or without music playing). Additionally, there is a somewhat loud pop that comes from the right channel when I turn on or off the amp.
I don't think these issues are normal, but I wanted to see whether anyone else has experienced these issues. The return period has passed on Amazon, but I'm going to try contacting the seller. If I'm using the amp incorrectly, please let me know as well.
Contact the seller to get a new unit.
broondan
New Member
Thanks, John, appreciate your input. I'll be contacting the seller shortly.
Lifu
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I'm sorry to hear you have issues with your unit. That sucks.
The Amazon period to return actually never ends for a full year. They call it a warranty, but the way they handle it it's the same as the 30 days return policy. You send back the unit for a full refund and it's up to you what to do with the money. You can keep them or imediately buy another unit.
One other option if you have the budget and you don't want to wait for the refund, you can order another unit and deal with the return after than one arrives.
broondan
New Member
Thanks, I didn't know that Amazon does that. I'm speaking with the seller currently, but Amazon has "made an exception" and are willing to accept the return either way. I think I'll give the L30 another shot since I have an E30 on the way as well to complete the stack. Additionally, the L30 is basically the same price as Magni Heresy and Atom here in Canada after shipping and taxes so it was an easy choice originally.
Lifu
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Magni Heresy was not an option for me because it has the controls on the back which I really don't like.
Here in the UK, Atom was actually more expensive (£150) than L30 (£120) both from Amazon.
I ordered both to test them. I couldn't hear a difference between them so I kept the L30. The controls are amazingly helpful, it looks beutiful and premium, and it's so small! I can have the stack on the corner of my desk at arms reach and it's very easy to use. I love it!
D
Deleted member 18309
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I've recently got a power amp (vintage Denon POA-800), and tried using my Asgard 3 as a preamp (with E30 as source). While I enjoyed using a volume knob, I couldnt get past 9-10 o'clock without speakers getting too loud. POA-800 has 1V sensitivity so I assume Asgard preamp output voltage is quite high at low gain.
So I tried using E30 as a preamp (using a splitter to daisy-chain my power amp and Asgard so I can listen to speakers and headphones independently). Now I get much more volume play (-45 to -50 is a good low/moderate listening volume and I never need to go beyond -25). However I really want a volume knob of some sort. Was considering either L30 as preamp, or switching my E30 to a DX3 Pro (which doesn't measure as well as E30) or Loxjie D30 (which does measure better than E30).
However my concern is whether the L30 will colour my speaker sound. I (subjectively) feel like I got clearer and my dynamic sound when I used my E30 as a preamp and really like the sound. Does this observation even make sense?
The way I see it:
Pros of getting L30:
1) @JohnYang1997 has mentioned better SNR at low listening levels
2) Nice physical volume knob
3) I get a high-performance headphone amp, who knows I may like the sound better than my Asgard 3 and could sell my A3
4) Cheaper (£120) than getting either a DX3 Pro (£160) or D30 (£132) and so is the cheapest option for a non-passive volume knob which I can integrate into my system
5) I get a dedicated switch to select preamp which makes the system more idiot proof and prevents me from easily blowing out my speakers
Cons:
1) Extra component on desk, need extra power socket, which I have limited number of despite having two power strips
2) Adding extra component to (speaker) signal chain, unclear how that will affect my sound
3) I forego extra features such as bluetooth
Thoughts? Am I just overthinking this?
Edit: Added more pros and cons
So I tried using E30 as a preamp (using a splitter to daisy-chain my power amp and Asgard so I can listen to speakers and headphones independently). Now I get much more volume play (-45 to -50 is a good low/moderate listening volume and I never need to go beyond -25). However I really want a volume knob of some sort. Was considering either L30 as preamp, or switching my E30 to a DX3 Pro (which doesn't measure as well as E30) or Loxjie D30 (which does measure better than E30).
However my concern is whether the L30 will colour my speaker sound. I (subjectively) feel like I got clearer and my dynamic sound when I used my E30 as a preamp and really like the sound. Does this observation even make sense?
The way I see it:
Pros of getting L30:
1) @JohnYang1997 has mentioned better SNR at low listening levels
2) Nice physical volume knob
3) I get a high-performance headphone amp, who knows I may like the sound better than my Asgard 3 and could sell my A3
4) Cheaper (£120) than getting either a DX3 Pro (£160) or D30 (£132) and so is the cheapest option for a non-passive volume knob which I can integrate into my system
5) I get a dedicated switch to select preamp which makes the system more idiot proof and prevents me from easily blowing out my speakers
Cons:
1) Extra component on desk, need extra power socket, which I have limited number of despite having two power strips
2) Adding extra component to (speaker) signal chain, unclear how that will affect my sound
3) I forego extra features such as bluetooth
Thoughts? Am I just overthinking this?
Edit: Added more pros and cons
Last edited by a moderator:
solderdude
Grand Contributor
I think you are. Adding this in speaker chain won't affect sound in any other way than volume. That's what transparent means.
infinitesymphony
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If you really just want a volume knob, you can get that with something like the JBL Nano Patch+.
Or if you're using a computer, a USB volume knob is an option:
Or if you're using a computer, a USB volume knob is an option:
Veri
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I have this Droking one. Works perfectly for what it is, just a digital volume wheel on USB
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