Topping L30 II Review (Headphone Amp)

[nanook]

RME Fireface UC (manual page 94):

 

[birb]

i might go for one of these myself for my Planars so i have something a little more portable than using a PA Amplifier lol

 

[BobInDE]

I finally found an amp that can drive my legacy Audeze LCD-2s.

 

[Shando]

My L30 ii has gotten much quieter for some reason. I have to have the audio turned up all the way on my computer and I have the amp on HPA - High - Volume knob turned all the way right for it to be decently "loud". It was working fine before, but I am not sure why it is not outputting correctly anymore.

 

[staticV3]

My L30 ii has gotten much quieter for some reason. I have to have the audio turned up all the way on my computer and I have the amp on HPA - High - Volume knob turned all the way right for it to be decently "loud". It was working fine before, but I am not sure why it is not outputting correctly anymore.

You can use a basic multimeter to make sure that the defect actually lies with the L30II.

For this use REW or an online tone generator to play a 60Hz test tone.

First, plug the L30II out of your DAC, then measure the DACs output voltage by probing the RCA cable:


Then without changing volume, plug your L30II back in, unplug your headphones but leave the headphone cable plugged into the Amp, turn the volume knob all the way up and use the other cable end to measure the L30II output voltage.

If you don't have a headphone or IEM with removable cable, then you can buy a headphone solder plug or breakout board for ~$2.

Measure the output voltage in all three gain settings and you can calculate the gain using 20*log10(L30II output voltage / DAC output voltage).

You can then compare against Topping's official figures:


If there's significant deviation, then it'll be easy to communicate and demand replacement from customer service.

 

[Ahmonge]

My L30 ii has gotten much quieter for some reason. I have to have the audio turned up all the way on my computer and I have the amp on HPA - High - Volume knob turned all the way right for it to be decently "loud". It was working fine before, but I am not sure why it is not outputting correctly anymore.

You can also check the volume adjustment of both the player app on your computer and the external DAC (if you have one)

 

[Shando]

You can use a basic multimeter to make sure that the defect actually lies with the L30II.

For this use REW or an online tone generator to play a 60Hz test tone.

First, plug the L30II out of your DAC, then measure the DACs output voltage by probing the RCA cable:
View attachment 492574

Then without changing volume, plug your L30II back in, unplug your headphones but leave the headphone cable plugged into the Amp, turn the volume knob all the way up and use the other cable end to measure the L30II output voltage.

If you don't have a headphone or IEM with removable cable, then you can buy a headphone solder plug or breakout board for ~$2.

Measure the output voltage in all three gain settings and you can calculate the gain using 20*log10(L30II output voltage / DAC output voltage).

You can then compare against Topping's official figures:
View attachment 492576

If there's significant deviation, then it'll be easy to communicate and demand replacement from customer service.

Need to buy a voltage meter and then try this.

 

[Shando]

You can also check the volume adjustment of both the player app on your computer and the external DAC (if you have one)

The players app is near max too.

I have an Topping E30 DAC for an external DAC, but this wasn't an issue before.

 

[Ahmonge]

I have an Topping E30 DAC for an external DAC, but this wasn't an issue before.

Just in case, I would check that the E30 is in DAC mode and not in Preamp mode with the volume turned down.

 

[patoulol]

Hello. When I turn off my 230v mains switch (to stop powering the transformer), I have a little noise a few seconds later. You too?

Video Unavailable

This video is unavailable.

streamable.com

 

[nanook]

Hello. When I turn off my 230v mains switch (to stop powering the transformer), I have a little noise a few seconds later. You too?

Video Unavailable

This video is unavailable.

streamable.com

I have not payed attention to this, but I would expect this behavior.
The L30II doesn't have relays or muting switches in the output and powering an amplifier on and off without any noise is a real challenge with speakers or headphones connected.

 

[patoulol]

I have not payed attention to this, but I would expect this behavior.
The L30II doesn't have relays or muting switches in the output and powering an amplifier on and off without any noise is a real challenge with speakers or headphones connected.

Okay. That said, it also makes that noise without headphones connected.

 

[nanook]

Okay. That said, it also makes that noise without headphones connected.

You are completely right - my fault.
The Topping L30 II does have relays and there's this clicking sound when switching it on and off or between Preamp mode and HPA.
When you unplug the L30 II without turning it off before, the active relays will get deactivated when the reservoir caps run empty.
--> The clicking should sound the same as if you would turn of the L30 II using its mode switch.

 

[patoulol]

Yes, I understand, I just wanted to know if my topping had a normal behavior

 

[patoulol]