Topping L30 II Review (Headphone Amp)

[Roland68]

I just ordered mine in blue. Through Amazon I got it from hifigo, they sent me the EU version with the wrong power supply. I can't use it.
Due to it being 3rd party I am now waiting for a back and forth, return lables...
It really gets me because I paid $20 for expedited shipping.
I guess I have another few weeks of my btr7 hd6xx combo before I can try the l30ii.

Funny, that seems to happen quite often.
I had bought my L30 II (also blue) from HiFi College via Amazon and, although shipped from Amazon.de, received a device with a UK power supply. Ridiculous offer for a refund (not 30% off the price of a replacement PSU) or wait at least 4 weeks for a replacement.
I compared it to my old L30 and sent it back.
Then I ordered a Sabaj A20h (Balanced with absolute channel equal relay-based volume control and remote control) from Amazon for €20 less.#

I would definitely try to get the shipping cost refunded from Amazon as they sent you the wrong device that you can't use. It is the seller's fault and the shipping cost is not legal.

 

[Jose Hidalgo]

I'm happy that the L30 II doesn't suffer from any of the issues of good old L30. It looks like this can indeed become the 'default reference' for 99% of listeners!

The volume imbalance in L30II is intolerable.
Why has it deteriorated from L30?

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?attachments/topping-l30-headphone-amplifier-channel-balance-audio-measurements-png.77401/

I don't use the volume knob with my L30. It's always in max position, and I control the volume digitally via foobar and my keyboard. Since foobar outputs in 32-bit, there's a lot of headroom while remaining bitperfect. I'm perfectly happy that way.

PS : it feels a bit entitled to use big words like 'intolerable' about small details like that. Things you can't even hear / haven't even heard yourself

 

[jindorii]

Hello. I currently have a FiiO E10K which I'm using as DAC and L30 II as amp.

I'm planning to buy E30 II to partner with my L30 II.


My daily use case is:
E10K -> Line Out -> powered speakers
E10K -> Line out -> L30 II -> headphones

I have a question about the difference of preamps between E30 II and L30 II.

If I setup (E30II -> L30II), would I be able to use my powered speakers with L30 II pre-amp? So that I just need to flick the switch on L30 II whether I'm using speakers or headphones?

I'm currently swapping cables on E10K line out depending if I'm using speakers or headphones. And doing the same for using E30II as pure DAC would be a pain.

 

[Miiksuli]

Hello. I currently have a FiiO E10K which I'm using as DAC and L30 II as amp.

I'm planning to buy E30 II to partner with my L30 II.


My daily use case is:
E10K -> Line Out -> powered speakers
E10K -> Line out -> L30 II -> headphones

I have a question about the difference of preamps between E30 II and L30 II.

If I setup (E30II -> L30II), would I be able to use my powered speakers with L30 II pre-amp? So that I just need to flick the switch on L30 II whether I'm using speakers or headphones?

I'm currently swapping cables on E10K line out depending if I'm using speakers or headphones. And doing the same for using E30II as pure DAC would be a pain.

Yes. You can switch gain settings for your liking.

 

[Roland68]

So that I just need to flick the switch on L30 II whether I'm using speakers or headphones?

I'm currently swapping cables on E10K line out depending if I'm using speakers or headphones. And doing the same for using E30II as pure DAC would be a pain.

My question is, why don't you connect both to the L30 II now and toggle with the switch?
Adding the E30 II wouldn't change that.

 

[jindorii]

My question is, why don't you connect both to the L30 II now and toggle with the switch?
Adding the E30 II wouldn't change that.

Yes, that's my main question.

I was just emphasizing that swapping cables on E30II would be harder since it would be two cables instead of one with the E10k. Especially if I stack them and put it below.

I don't use my L30 II when using speakers because I'm just being frugal since L30II would just consume electricity and I don't actually need a preamp.

It's just that if I get the E30II, I would have no choice but to use the preamp for convenience.

 

[jindorii]

Yes. You can switch gain settings for your liking.

Thanks

 

[Roland68]

I don't use my L30 II when using speakers because I'm just being frugal since L30II would just consume electricity and I don't actually need a preamp.

Please keep in mind that the power supply of the L30 (II) always consumes power, as it is only a transformer, even if you switch off the L30.

 

[jindorii]

Please keep in mind that the power supply of the L30 (II) always consumes power, as it is only a transformer, even if you switch off the L30.

Didn't know about this. But yes, I'm also plugging it off when I'm not using it.

 

[shoto]

all dac reviews use 100k load for testing, but very low input impedance 2.5kohm is on most of the topping amps I think.
How can we know the DACs perform at the level in the reviews under those low impedance loads? has it been tested??
isnt this something important to consider?

 

[jasonhanjk]

all dac reviews use 100k load for testing, but very low input impedance 2.5kohm is on most of the topping amps I think.
How can we know the DACs perform at the level in the reviews under those low impedance loads? has it been tested??
isnt this something important to consider?

It's actually 10k ohm.

If uses old DACs (example a CD player), avoid these Topping amps as they are spec min 10k ohm.
If uses Topping DAC, hope that the engineer at Topping tested their DAC Amp combo.
Your best bet is to get DAC can drive HP, example Sxfi amp or 7Hz 71 dongle.

Yes it is important because loading too much will increase distortion at the source.

 

[shoto]

all the dashboard measurement say 100k, where do you see 10k.

I know it is important, that is literally the point I am making, so why isnt it being tested?

 

[jasonhanjk]

all the dashboard measurement say 100k, where do you see 10k.

I know it is important, that is literally the point I am making, so why isnt it being tested?

Some history:

Line level - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

10k ohm is actual real world product specification.
For proper dac measurements, the engineer will use a 10k ohm load externally. Not the AP dashboard.

Why is anybody guess, for me I won't buy this product knowing it's won't fit my vintage player.

 

[shoto]

Ok, thanks for history lesson, where is evidence the ASR dac tests use 10k load?

 

[Piere]

I am quite happy with the E30/L30-II stack on my desk. Great performance! But.... I don't know if it has already been noted, I didn't dig through all the past 35 pages, the power entries for both units are the same and near the same place. Powering can easily be interchanged by accident. The L30 will probably survive 5V DC but I don't think the E30 DAC will do the same when feed with 15VAC!

 

[solderdude]

And to think that there are different versions of those barrel type power plugs that could prevent plugging higher/AC voltage plugs into 5Vdc receptacles.

 

[Dunring]

Just got one of these and with the E50 DAC, it's really impressive how low the noise floor is. Compared to the SMSL SP200 it's really noticeable. Might get an XLR 4 pin to RCA 1/4" adapter for testing balanced headphones that come in and keep it as a daily driver. I have a Sabaj A20h next to it and for single end performance I think it's the best out there. The A20h has a ton of grunt on the balanced side, but if you like the 600 ohm Beyers, this and an adapter is the winner for me. Hope they make an E50 II with XLR someday with this performance. Until then I'm keeping this puppy. I have an A90 Discreet behind me too, but for single ended power this pulls way ahead. The A90D rocks the HE6se if you do a preamp reduction to equalize, but these and the He5xx and maybe get the DT880 600ohm again to compare.

 

[Veri]

Just got one of these and with the E50 DAC, it's really impressive how low the noise floor is. Compared to the SMSL SP200 it's really noticeable. Might get an XLR 4 pin to RCA 1/4" adapter for testing balanced headphones that come in and keep it as a daily driver. I have a Sabaj A20h next to it and for single end performance I think it's the best out there. The A20h has a ton of grunt on the balanced side, but if you like the 600 ohm Beyers, this and an adapter is the winner for me. Hope they make an E50 II with XLR someday with this performance. Until then I'm keeping this puppy. I have an A90 Discreet behind me too, but for single ended power this pulls way ahead.

Sick amps set-up mate

 

[Piere]

To help avoiding disaster a bit:

 

[Lambo1985]

Greetings All,

This is my first post on this forum. I recently purchased the L30 ii. It is an incredible amp. I've been comparing to the highly rated/regarded usual suspects in this range/category (4 different HP Amps), and this is the sharpest, cleanest, and most dynamic of them all. Right now, the purpose/goal of the amp is to be my living room couch companion that I feed with a Galaxy S10+ (Snapdragon 855 version. Low output, but sounds awesome), and listen with an Edition XS & Ananda Stealth. - I have a question regarding the L50/L70. I do music production and have audio interfaces (Motu M4, Focusrite Clarett 2pre) with 1/4 balanced line outs. I'm curious to know if there is a difference (if any) in sound, between the L30 ii and the L50/L70 when fed with the same source/connection. I'm so impressed with the L30 ii, that I've been thinking of getting an L50 or L70 as a dedicated HP amp for my interfaces (I can feed them balanced 1/4). Given how great the L30 ii is, It's hard to imagine how much can be improved. Especially considering my needs for dynamics and neutrality in a studio setting.

Will there be any sonic improvement or change moving up to either the L50/L70 from the L30 ii? - Any objective or subjective opinions will be greatly appreciated! - Thanks!