Topping L70 Headphone Amp Review

[TSky]

Thank you all for the advice. As a result, I bought A30pro and SMSL DO100PRO for my new Nano. I hope the bundle will be pleasing. I decided not to save money, the overpayment is not big (The sale made it possible to buy this kit profitably). I plan to connect via XLR.

 

[PhnomPenhPaul]

I'm thinking of buying a L70 as my main headphone amp. I very much like its aesthetics and features. The only thing holding me back from buying one is Topping's questionable reliability as regards its headphone amps. Topping's A70 Pro and A90 Discrete seem to have a lot of reports on this forum of problems. From my reading this seems to be due to their use of closed modules. [I should like to thank @Roland68 for his posts on this]. From the pictures I have seen of the L70's PCB, unless I have made a very big mistake, no such closed modules are used on the L70. May I ask current owners of the L70 if they are happy [so far] with their L70's from a reliability perspective. Many thanks.

 

[Roland68]

I'm thinking of buying a L70 as my main headphone amp. I very much like its aesthetics and features. The only thing holding me back from buying one is Topping's questionable reliability as regards its headphone amps. Topping's A70 Pro and A90 Discrete seem to have a lot of reports on this forum of problems. From my reading this seems to be due to their use of closed modules. [I should like to thank @Roland68 for his posts on this]. From the pictures I have seen of the L70's PCB, unless I have made a very big mistake, no such closed modules are used on the L70. May I ask current owners of the L70 if they are happy [so far] with their L70's from a reliability perspective. Many thanks.

Thank you, but I would like to correct you.
I am not aware of any questionable reliability in Topping headphone amplifiers or other devices, except for all devices with these potted modules.
I have had an L70 myself for a year and have not been able to say anything negative so far.
If someone is looking for a proven reliable device, I would refer them to Violectric and Lake People devices (also used), because they have proven this for over 30 years, many of their devices have been around for that long, defects are the exception and repairs are never a problem.

 

[Blashyrkh]

I'm thinking of buying a L70 as my main headphone amp. I very much like its aesthetics and features. The only thing holding me back from buying one is Topping's questionable reliability as regards its headphone amps. Topping's A70 Pro and A90 Discrete seem to have a lot of reports on this forum of problems. From my reading this seems to be due to their use of closed modules. [I should like to thank @Roland68 for his posts on this]. From the pictures I have seen of the L70's PCB, unless I have made a very big mistake, no such closed modules are used on the L70. May I ask current owners of the L70 if they are happy [so far] with their L70's from a reliability perspective. Many thanks.

I have had it for 1.5 years, and the only issue I'm facing is that sometimes I get R3 Error (or 5, don't remember), probably around 1 every 10 switch ons.
It disapears as soon as I restart it, and I always switch it off from the back button when I finish using it.
Using it pretty much every day

 

[PhnomPenhPaul]

Sorry for the late reply. Thanks @Roland68 for your reply and suggestions. [I agree, Violectric make some fantastic headphone amplifiers. At my age I don't think I'll need a 30 year service life but none the less I would love to get a HPA V550 - sadly it is out of my budget at the moment. Maybe I should start saving now]. I understand from your comments that the L70, unlike Topping's more expensive headphone amplifiers, does not use these problemmatic potted modules. Thank you also, @Blashyrkh, for your comments. I had read that some people were getting the R3 Error from time to time but, like you, this could be resolved by turning the unit 'off' and then back 'on' again - not ideal, but not a deal breaker either...I think I'll wait to see how people get on with SMSL's new headphone amp, the H400, which might fit my needs - let's hope Amir gets sent one soon. Anyway, thanks once again @Roland68 and @Blashyrkh for taking the time to help with your posts.

 

[Rover]

Topping's A70 Pro

I used a couple of them and returned them both due to a breakdown.

 

[raif71]

I used a couple of them and returned them both due to a breakdown.

May I know the DAC and headphone you used with the A70 Pro ? Thanks

 

[Rover]

May I know the DAC and headphone you used with the A70 Pro ? Thanks

sennheiser 570&Topping D90se good devices.The topping L70 is a very reliable device.​

 

[raif71]

sennheiser 570&Topping D90se good devices.The topping L70 is a very reliable device.​

I see nothing out of the ordinary that would cause the A70 pro to malfunction unless your audio files have DC component or you're really unlucky to have 2 bad units

 

[Roland68]

I see nothing out of the ordinary that would cause the A70 pro to malfunction unless your audio files have DC component or you're really unlucky to have 2 bad units

The problem with the molded modules in some topping devices should be known by now.
These lead to the failure of many devices and it has nothing to do with the headphones, speakers, DACs, other devices or music being used.

This user wasn't unlucky, but lucky. There are now some users for whom no guarantee is recognized and/or extremely high shipping costs for there and back shipping are to be borne. For a problem caused by the manufacturer, an absolute disgrace.

 

[raif71]

The problem with the molded modules in some topping devices should be known by now.
These lead to the failure of many devices and it has nothing to do with the headphones, speakers, DACs, other devices or music being used.

This user wasn't unlucky, but lucky. There are now some users for whom no guarantee is recognized and/or extremely high shipping costs for there and back shipping are to be borne. For a problem caused by the manufacturer, an absolute disgrace.

When you refer to "molded modules" ,are you talking about this :

This pic is taken from the site https://www.toppingaudio.com/product-item/a70-pro . If this is not what you are referring to, kindly point it out... if there is a picture at that site, would be great if you can post it here. Thanks

 

[56suited]

Hello, friends. I am contemplating this as a set-up. Will it work?

• Turntable --> iFi Phono Stage --> WiiM Ultra (for streaming, ADC, DAC, and Samsung TV via eARC) --> Topping L70 --> (via XLR) Adam T10S subwoofer --> (via XLR) Adam T5V active monitors

You may say "why the phono stage?" and frankly, I don't have a great answer other than 'the power and flexibility of separates'.

 

[staticV3]

Hello, friends. I am contemplating this as a set-up. Will it work?

• Turntable --> iFi Phono Stage --> WiiM Ultra (for streaming, ADC, DAC, and Samsung TV via eARC) --> Topping L70 --> (via XLR) Adam T10S subwoofer --> (via XLR) Adam T5V active monitors

You may say "why the phono stage?" and frankly, I don't have a great answer other than 'the power and flexibility of separates'.

You can use an external Phono pre (iFi) and an external Pre (L70), but neither is strictly necessary.

Also, I'd connect the Sub to the Ultra's Sub out and the monitors to the Ultra's Line out.
That way, you can make use of the Ultra's Sub integration features.

 

[56suited]

You can use an external Phono pre (iFi) and an external Pre (L70), but neither is strictly necessary.

Also, I'd connect the Sub to the Ultra's Sub out and the monitors to the Ultra's Line out.
That way, you can make use of the Ultra's Sub integration features.

What you are saying is that the iFi and Pre could be kicked to later on...yeah, I was thinking that as well...maybe pour more money into the turntable, or upgrade the line of Adam monitors I am looking at.

The originating thought was "XLRs > RCA", and I missed that the WiiM Ultra has a headphone output. Thanks for the help! I am beyond rookie in this space.

 

[staticV3]

What you are saying is that the iFi and Pre could be kicked to later on...yeah, I was thinking that as well...maybe pour more money into the turntable, or upgrade the line of Adam monitors I am looking at.

The originating thought was "XLRs > RCA", and I missed that the WiiM Ultra has a headphone output. Thanks for the help! I am beyond rookie in this space.

Loudspeakers should be your #1 priority.

Beyond that, a UMIK-1 is an extremely useful investment.

 

[Roland68]

When you refer to "molded modules" ,are you talking about this :

This pic is taken from the site https://www.toppingaudio.com/product-item/a70-pro . If this is not what you are referring to, kindly point it out... if there is a picture at that site, would be great if you can post it here. Thanks

This is off topic in this thread, as the L70 does not have any of these modules.
It is only about devices that have modules built in that are encapsulated with a potting compound.
This affects PA5, LA90D, A90D, A70 Pro from Topping, among others. You can find more information about the problems in the relevant threads for the devices. The biggest problem is how Topping behaves when these problems occur and the costs for many owners if they cannot simply return the device.
The user @gamerpaddy has created a solution for owners of the PA5, information about this can be found here Topping PA5 fix - D01 Module Replacement for everyone and here Poll for Topping PA5 owners only please.

 

[56suited]

Loudspeakers should be your #1 priority.

Beyond that, a UMIK-1 is an extremely useful investment.

I have a stupidly small home office, so I am probably going with the Adam T10S subwoofer (just for the purpose of frequency extension) and Adam T5V active monitors. I'll probably be going 75% of the time with headphones because my wife is a wagon.

 

[Sylvia]

First of all thank you so much for the review.
I apologize if my question is silly, but has the performance as preamp been tested as well?
The reason why I ask is that I would like to buy this device as preamp
Thank you very much in advance

 

[Rover]

First of all thank you so much for the review.
I apologize if my question is silly, but has the performance as preamp been tested as well?
The reason why I ask is that I would like to buy this device as preamp
Thank you very much in advance

Excellent result with Fosi v3.xlr connection.

 

[Sylvia]

Excellent result with Fosi v3.xlr connection.

Cheers