Topping L30 II Review (Headphone Amp)

[Bleib]

I'm pretty sure it's an outlier. We guarantee less than 0.5db deviation down to -40db attenuation. You can swap for a new one if you find yours outside the spec.

How could regular consumers verify this easily? Won't happen.

 

[Veri]

So are tou saying that it is limited to 110V for the US version? Asking because most switched power adapters are 100-240V or so, and it looks a bit tiny for a real transformer. Thanks.

The device itself is not in any case limited, the supply however is not a switcher it is a little transformer supplying 15VAC:
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/power-supply/power-supply-220-230v-ac-to-15v-1a-ac-p-15370.html this one is 230V.

Don't plug a DC supply into the L30, you'll break it and if I'm not wrong BTW, both the JDS Atom and the Schiit Magni (heresy) also use VAC tranfos. See for example https://www.schiit.com/products/wall-warts

 

[TK750]

How could regular consumers verify this easily? Won't happen.

By listening? If an imbalance is noticeable enough to be an issue it is likely 0.5db or more.

 

[Bleib]

By listening? If an imbalance is noticeable enough to be an issue it is likely 0.5db or more.

You could have such variation on the headphones itself. I doubt most consumers would notice where the error lies.

 

[BeerBear]

How could regular consumers verify this easily? Won't happen.

You can play a mono signal through the HP out and record it with something that you know has good L-R balance, like Amir did. You don't need expensive gear for that, even a motherboard's line input can be good enough.
And you should test at various levels/positions, because an analog pot can vary a lot depending on how much it's turned.

 

[Jimster480]

Yeah, im in Poland. Only EX5 I can see is being sold used, which makes no sense for me as i can deduct it from VAT when new. I was also thinking about this sabaj combo reviewed here lately.

The SABAJ A20d Combo can also do MQA too (if you care) however its price is closer to that of the DX5 rather than the cheaper EX5.

By listening? If an imbalance is noticeable enough to be an issue it is likely 0.5db or more.

True, people can not generally hear imbalance below that point. So technically anyone can test this claim out. No measurements required.

You could have such variation on the headphones itself. I doubt most consumers would notice where the error lies.

That would be a pretty poor pair of headphones honestly.

 

[selthier]

They haven't announced one. However the Ex5 is pretty affordable right now and it has everything basically.
There is a new DX7 coming out though, Aug 23rd supposedly.

unfortunately EX5 still same price in my local seller shop, but i saw secondhand one at same price as DX3 pro+....from what i see EX5 is DX3 pro+ with a bit more powerful amp & XLR output?
and the new dx7 looks like gonna be too expensive for my office setup

and lol, i think many people become not sure what to buy because of this new L30 II

 

[Opto]

Hey guys !
Not sure if I can discuss this here, but I just got the DX3 Pro+ few days ago, jumping from a Soundblaster X3, to drive a DT 900 Pro X and a DT 1990 Pro, maybe an Edition XS later. I must say that I can't find a huge difference between the X3 and the DX3 Pro+ apart from volume control, I might have a ****** ear though, so I was wondering if maybe I should return the DX3 Pro+ and try this E30II+L30II stack instead ?
As @selthier said, this new option is entering pretty high in a lot of people watchlist, and that's great !
Thanks Amir for you wonderful work.

 

[oscar_dziki]

Hey guys !
Not sure if I can discuss this here, but I just got the DX3 Pro+ few days ago, jumping from a Soundblaster X3, to drive a DT 900 Pro X and a DT 1990 Pro, maybe an Edition XS later. I must say that I can't find a huge difference between the X3 and the DX3 Pro+ apart from volume control, I might have a ****** ear though, so I was wondering if maybe I should return the DX3 Pro+ and try this E30II+L30II stack instead ?
As @selthier said, this new option is entering pretty high in a lot of people watchlist, and that's great !
Thanks Amir for you wonderful work.

Perhaps Soundblaster is good enough for these headphones. They play bass and treble anyway

 

[Jimster480]

unfortunately EX5 still same price in my local seller shop, but i saw secondhand one at same price as DX3 pro+....from what i see EX5 is DX3 pro+ with a bit more powerful amp & XLR output?
and the new dx7 looks like gonna be too expensive for my office setup

and lol, i think many people become not sure what to buy because of this new L30 II

EX5 has a more powerful amp, balanced output, MQA. It also has an integrated PSU.
I think that is it.
L30 II is nice but also basic.

 

[Jimster480]

Hey guys !
Not sure if I can discuss this here, but I just got the DX3 Pro+ few days ago, jumping from a Soundblaster X3, to drive a DT 900 Pro X and a DT 1990 Pro, maybe an Edition XS later. I must say that I can't find a huge difference between the X3 and the DX3 Pro+ apart from volume control, I might have a ****** ear though, so I was wondering if maybe I should return the DX3 Pro+ and try this E30II+L30II stack instead ?
As @selthier said, this new option is entering pretty high in a lot of people watchlist, and that's great !
Thanks Amir for you wonderful work.

Has the sound blaster been measured here? If it measures well, then it maybe already powerful enough for your headphones.
It also depends on what music you are listening to.

 

[Opto]

Has the sound blaster been measured here? If it measures well, then it maybe already powerful enough for your headphones.
It also depends on what music you are listening to.

Thanks guys for your answers !
I can't seem to find it if it's been reviewed.
I listen a lot of alternative rock, classic rock, modern pop, a lot of ost too. But mostly, and I should have said it before, I use my headphones to play games where positioning is crucial. And that's where I expected to see a great difference between the X3 and the DX3 Pro+...
But yeah, after all, if the Soundblaster gives ME the same thing, 100 or 200$ less, who cares but you always expect better performance from praised gear, and it's always disappointing to feel like you miss what other people like if you tend to prefer your old gear...
Thank you for your insight guys !

 

[oscar_dziki]

Thanks guys for your answers !
I can't seem to find it if it's been reviewed.
I listen a lot of alternative rock, classic rock, modern pop, a lot of ost too. But mostly, and I should have said it before, I use my headphones to play games where positioning is crucial. And that's where I expected to see a great difference between the X3 and the DX3 Pro+...
But yeah, after all, if the Soundblaster gives ME the same thing, 100 or 200$ less, who cares but you always expect better performance from praised gear, and it's always disappointing to feel like you miss what other people like if you tend to prefer your old gear...
Thank you for your insight guys !

At this point, amplification isn't the bottleneck. Maybe you should try Sennheisers 8** series for better positioning?

 

[TK750]

You could have such variation on the headphones itself. I doubt most consumers would notice where the error lies.

Sure that's possible but people are likely to have listened to the headphones on other devices and will notice a difference or would have other pairs of headphones to verify whether it is the headphones themselves or the amp. I think it's fairly easy to determine.

 

[kondalord]

hi guys, someone who bought the l30-II, could you tell me if the operating temperature is very high like its predecessor L30 v1 ?

 

[thecity2]

I just got a DX3+ and I have a JDS Labs Atom (the original not the new + edition). I’m wondering if my best listening experience would be a) via the DX3 headphone output directly b) DX3 connected to the Atom or c) DX3 connected to the L30 II.

 

[Jimster480]

I just got a DX3+ and I have a JDS Labs Atom (the original not the new + edition). I’m wondering if my best listening experience would be a) via the DX3 headphone output directly b) DX3 connected to the Atom or c) DX3 connected to the L30 II.

They should all be pretty close. Technically the DX3+ feeding the L30 II. However I don't think there would be an audible difference between the atom and the DX3+ in Most cases as they should technically be audibly transparent.

 

[Atanasi]

Which graph are you talking about? Where that is not the case.

"Distortion vs Power @ 32 ohm" has the equivalent of 50 mV SNR at 100u. The value is -95 dB, which corresponds to the previous records of 50 mV SNR.

 

[oscar_dziki]

I just got a DX3+ and I have a JDS Labs Atom (the original not the new + edition). I’m wondering if my best listening experience would be a) via the DX3 headphone output directly b) DX3 connected to the Atom or c) DX3 connected to the L30 II.

What are the headphones. Honestly I'm surprised that anyone answered your question, without this info.

 

[Tavus]

yes

Are you sure your new l30ii amps wont explode like your older l30 amps? I will buy one soon if I find it safe.