Topping LA90 Discrete Amplifier Review

[antcollinet]

Well - when it comes to one's own perception versus another person's - how can we know what is perceived? For me, it has nothing to do with volume. Transparency is a quality I hear at any volume, it includes a spatial aspect, and the lack of a veil or feeling like I've got a piece of plastic or cloth between me and the speakers. I suspect it is the contact between the power supply and the amp (outboard power supply) that is causing this. But it was plain to hear. And yes, if you don't hear it and I do, then it's my issue not yours!

But when all three devices have defects that are below the level of audibility, or so close to it as to make no difference - for all humans - there is no difference to be heard.

 

[jkorten]

But when all three devices have defects that are below the level of audibility, or so close to it as to make no difference - for all humans - there is no difference to be heard.

Ah so here you are telling me what I perceive? This is the error in your thinking. You are wrong. The difference was plain for me to hear. I'm not telling you what you hear. Don't tell me what I hear.

 

[kyuu]

I'm not telling you what you hear. Don't tell me what I hear.

No one is telling you what you hear. What you're being told is that just because you heard it doesn't mean it was actually a result of any difference in the sound. Your eyes and your brain can and will alter your perception even when the actual audio stimulus is exactly the same. This is well documented and proven. This is why properly conducted double-blind listening tests are required to prove actual audible differences.

 

[antcollinet]

Ah so here you are telling me what I perceive? This is the error in your thinking. You are wrong. The difference was plain for me to hear. I'm not telling you what you hear. Don't tell me what I hear.

No, I fully believe you percieve a difference. What I am disputing is the reason for that perception:

We know that our hearing is subject to perceptive bias. What we hear is impacted by what we know, what we believe, how we feel, our life experiences, what we see etc etc. No-one is immune to this if they are human - it is how we are built. In fact we would be unable to function if our senses were not filtered by our unconscious brain. Everyone is subject to this, it happens at the unconscious level, and it is not possible to avoid it - even when we are aware it is happening.

Those differences you describe can and do come from cognitive bias. Further, the fact that you hear clear differences when the measurements say there is nothing, or almost nothing to be heard suggests bias as the cause is vastly more likely than actual audible differences in the sound waves reaching your ears..

Further more, we know that small differences in level (volume) of less than around 0.5 dB, are not perceived as a volume change, but are perceived as a difference in the quality of the sound - with (normally) the higher level sounding better. To eliminate this confounding factor in listening tests it is necessary to level match the signal by using a multimeter to equalise the voltage. A sound level meter is not accurate enough.

This two things are the main reasons why - if we want to understand whether we are hearing a genuine difference between devices - we use controlled and blind testing.

The only way to know is to test level matched and blind with at least 10 repeats. If you really trust your ears, then use them (and only them) to determine the difference.

 

[Jimbob54]

Lets keep this thread about this specific device. To discuss "hearing" vs measurements please move the conversation to here https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...asurements-everything-or-nothing.29062/unread

Im going to leave the last few posts here to inform anyone else. Long story short- sighted and uncontrolled listening observations about this or any other device is going to get pushback on here. Any continuation along that vein is going to get moved.

Thanks

 

[MAS4T0]

The WiiM is a streaming amp of course, whilst the others are integrated/ power amps so you'd need a streaming DAC in the loop with your server for the Topping and Fosi.

If I may ask, where in the UK are you getting Topping with upto 10 year warranty?

Yes, I realise that.

The Topping LA90D is available from AV.com for £799 with a 5-year warranty included and can be upgraded to 10 years for £56 (so £855 with a 10-year warranty). The extended warranty seems well worthwhile given the reliability concerns. I don't know if I'm permitted to share links to retailers, but it should be easy to find.

 

[WeekendWarrior]

Yes, I realise that.

The Topping LA90D is available from AV.com for £799 with a 5-year warranty included and can be upgraded to 10 years for £56 (so £855 with a 10-year warranty). The extended warranty seems well worthwhile given the reliability concerns. I don't know if I'm permitted to share links to retailers, but it should be easy to find.

Thanks, I've found it. I've got the LA90D which I bought from Electromod.

 

[stefanovesa]

Arrived today. For now it is a pleasure, driving ELAC DBR 62.
Low gain set, the volume knob needs to be rotated much further than that of PA 5 II with the same inputs.
Finally got rid of RCA cables.

 

[Roland68]

Arrived today. For now it is a pleasure, driving ELAC DBR 62.
Low gain set, the volume knob needs to be rotated much further than that of PA 5 II with the same inputs.
Finally got rid of RCA cables.

View attachment 434005

There is basically no connection between the potentiometer setting and the volume or performance achieved with different devices.
The different potentiometers (linear/logertimic/different factor and resistance), different amplification factors in the devices (this doesn't just mean GAIN), previous devices, etc., have too many influences, sometimes even cascaded.
Just for information.

 

[abbazaba]

Reporting in at 17 months of near daily use and no issues. Desktop setup, Topping D70Pro Sabre DAC to a Topping LA90 Discrete powering some SVS Ultra Bookshelves with a Paradigm Ultracube 10 sub.

Very happy... Upgradeitis symptoms have been non existent since first dose

 

[stefanovesa]

Bottom view

A question from a not expert. Why here I see 4 wires per channel?

 

[Roland68]

A question from a not expert. Why here I see 4 wires per channel?

Always 2 in parallel to reduce the resistance.