Topping L70 Headphone Amp Review

[bearcatsandor]

Mine is doing something strange. I tend to listen at lower volumes, so I don't actually know when the volume started going weird. At -40.0 the soundstage is centered. From -40.5 through -30 it seems to shift left as I adjust the volume then goes back to center after -30. I think. It's driving me nuts now because I heard it while listening to a few songs, and not when playing a warble tone.

Is anyone else hearing that? I have been having some USB reliability issues on my motherboard, so that could be it. EIther that or I'm losing it.

 

[Blashyrkh]

Mine is doing something strange. I tend to listen at lower volumes, so I don't actually know when the volume started going weird. At -40.0 the soundstage is centered. From -40.5 through -30 it seems to shift left as I adjust the volume then goes back to center after -30. I think. It's driving me nuts now because I heard it while listening to a few songs, and not when playing a warble tone.

Is anyone else hearing that? I have been having some USB reliability issues on my motherboard, so that could be it. EIther that or I'm losing it.

No, I currently use it low gain with westone um pro 50 balanced 4.4

Volume -40/50 with Amazon music normal output

Volume -35, gain -15 with equalizer APO to compensate the +15 bass peak of a Hesuvi 3d virtualizer algorithm

With HD800 I usually stay above -30 low gain with Amazon music or high gain with Hesuvi.

Also used it from -20 to -5 low gain with single ended hd800

I tested probably all volume ranges, never heard headstage issues

 

[bearcatsandor]

I was really tired yesterday, so who know. I'll keep an ear on it.

 

[ethanhallbeyer]

Guys, this Toppping L70 or SMSL SH-9 (or something even better now in 2023)? The L70 seems to have more features, including a 12v trigger.

 

[Nordling]

Guys, this Toppping L70 or SMSL SH-9 (or something even better now in 2023)? The L70 seems to have more features, including a 12v trigger.

Depends on what you use it for. The Topping L70 can also be used as a preamplifier (that's what I use it for). The SMSL SU-9 can only be used as headphone amplifier.

 

[Bleib]

Guys, this Toppping L70 or SMSL SH-9 (or something even better now in 2023)? The L70 seems to have more features, including a 12v trigger.

A70pro is probably better, but I doubt it's possible to notice

 

[SYJ]

A70pro is probably better, but I doubt it's possible to notice

I have all three, SH9, L70, and A70Pro. I think they all sound petty similar, maybe a little difference (which may be from which DAC being used). The headphones have most impact on sound.

Anyway, the new A70Pro has big screen which can emulate VU meter and more importantly it can be used with EXT90 for more inputs.

 

[Doodski]

I think they all sound petty similar, maybe a little difference (which may be from which DAC being used).

Not likely that a decent DAC will sound different than another. They are a solved device and anything from a ~$90 SMSL to higher end models are all flat frequency response and have near perfect linearity of the input to the output.

 

[BigBeard]

I just got L70 in and am comparing it to my THX789.
Listening with my HD800 and SMSL VMV D1 Dac

There is hardly any difference between the two amps. The 789 actually sounds like it has a much cleaner background - something I prefer.

I am also thinking the L70 may be defective. When I change the volume I hear crackling/popping. The distortion also shows up sometimes during listening. Anyone else experience this?

 

[staticV3]

I am also thinking the L70 may be defective. When I change the volume I hear crackling/popping.

That's usually what happens with relay volume control. It enables perfect channel balance at all times, but in turn you get clicks and pops as the relays switch between resistors.

 

[Bobesku]

Does this usual behavior of relay volume control happens every time, upon each input change? Or is it also dependent on other variables in the chain?
I mean, I get it that it's an engineered tech to make channel balance perfect but in return it ruins UX... I'm not sure what I would pick, tbh?

 

[bearcatsandor]

Does this usual behavior of relay volume control happens every time, upon each input change? Or is it also dependent on other variables in the chain?
I mean, I get it that it's an engineered tech to make channel balance perfect but in return it ruins UX... I'm not sure what I would pick, tbh?

The click isn't in your headphones, it's in the unit itself. It's a very gentle click. My keyboard is louder than it. It also gives a little bit of tactile feedback, which is nice.

 

[Bobesku]

@bearcatsandor This is great news! I can definitely live with that. I think I would like it as well, although planning to use it as a preamp for power amp and large speakers, so no tactile feedback for me as I will be 4 meters away from it. Thank you very much for this!

 

[bearcatsandor]

No problem!

 

[Mr:River]

I'm analyzing the purchase of the L70/E70 but looking at the videos and photos on Google it shows two display tones, sometimes it's white and another time it's blue. Is that just a point of view or is there really a newer version with a white display?

 

[Blashyrkh]

I'm analyzing the purchase of the L70/E70 but looking at the videos and photos on Google it shows two display tones, sometimes it's white and another time it's blue. Is that just a point of view or is there really a newer version with a white display?

View attachment 328947 View attachment 328948

There's no blue screen. It's probably due to ambient light/camera

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

I'm analyzing the purchase of the L70/E70 but looking at the videos and photos on Google it shows two display tones, sometimes it's white and another time it's blue. Is that just a point of view or is there really a newer version with a white display?

View attachment 328947 View attachment 328948

It's white. But due to different white balance setting of the camera or/and lighting it may come as 'blueish'

 

[IAtaman]

It's white. But due to different white balance setting of the camera or/and lighting it may come as 'blueish'

Another reason why it is never a good idea to judge only with your senses, if one was ever needed.

 

[ThatGuyYouKnow]

Finally decided to update the firmware and noticed... absolutely nothing different. That is a good sign considering I did not have issues with the L70 before. Just wish Topping would simply say what has been fixed other than presumably the sporadic 12v trigger error some have.