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Topping LA90 Review (Integrated Amplifier)

Rate this amplifier:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 35 4.3%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 51 6.3%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 196 24.1%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 531 65.3%

  • Total voters
    813
Does anyone know the reasoning behind it? Torn between selling my LA90 and getting 2 discretes or getting an extra LA90 for $300 off on clearance
 
Does anyone know the reasoning behind it? Torn between selling my LA90 and getting 2 discretes or getting an extra LA90 for $300 off on clearance
The new one is 100$ cheaper (MSRP) than the old model, so it's net 200$ difference.
(Also, how much would you lose by selling the old one is another thing to consider)

My ears couldn't tell the difference between the 2 models, and I might love to save that 200$...
that being said, if only I don't need them to run 4ohms in mono. (new one can, old one can't)
 
What would be the reason anyone to rate this amp anything other than "Great (golfing panther)" based on performance?
 
DF = speaker impedance/amplifier impedance. LA90 has 0,003 Ohm in stereo.
8/0,003≈2,7K. Not bad)
Hi - I looked and couldn't find it. Where did you find the 0.003 figure?

Thanks.
 
tp_la90_01.png

 
DF = speaker impedance/amplifier impedance. LA90 has 0,003 Ohm in stereo.
8/0,003≈2,7K. Not bad)
Yamaha A-S3200
Damping Factor ≧ 250 (1 kHz, 8 ohms)

What does this mean? 2700 DF from Topping vs 250 DF from Yamaha.
 
Yamaha A-S3200
Damping Factor ≧ 250 (1 kHz, 8 ohms)

What does this mean? 2700 DF from Topping vs 250 DF from Yamaha.
Probably not much audible in practice.
Here's a artical from benchmark on the subject.
 
Yamaha A-S3200
Damping Factor ≧ 250 (1 kHz, 8 ohms)

What does this mean? 2700 DF from Topping vs 250 DF from Yamaha.
250 is already good enough.
 
DF is not an easy measure... It changes with frequency, even with cable impedance ... and doesn't have a direct effect with good sound, I mean, forget about it.

If you want a clear explanation from a trusty speakers brand, you can read this:

https://us.kef.com/blogs/news/damping-factor-explained

... and they agree with @tonycollinet ... DF 200 is very good indeed
 
Hi, noob question - I recently picked up an LA90D to replace my AIYIMA A07, but I’m unsure if the power is enough to drive my KEF R3 alone in stereo mode. I think the Discrete is just slightly more power than the AIYIMA given I drove it with the included power supply? If I wanted to go for two LA90D, is the process running both in pass through mono mode and adding a preamp or are there other setups? Would my A90 headphone amp work as preamp in this case? Does anyone have any recommendations on power needed then for KEF R3? Is the one LA90D enough?
 
Hi, noob question - I recently picked up an LA90D to replace my AIYIMA A07, but I’m unsure if the power is enough to drive my KEF R3 alone in stereo mode. I think the Discrete is just slightly more power than the AIYIMA given I drove it with the included power supply? If I wanted to go for two LA90D, is the process running both in pass through mono mode and adding a preamp or are there other setups? Does anyone have any recommendations on power needed then for KEF R3? Is the one LA90D enough?
Try it.
 
Is my understanding of the two LA90 setup right? That I would use them in pass through mode and use the volume on my e.g. topping A90D as a preamp to control volume?

And yeah I’ll be trying when it arrives. What kind of things would I be looking for to know if the speaker is being underpowered? I have a UMIK-1 so I can do very basic measurement but my room has poor acoustics so I’m not sure it would be super enlightening.

It looks like their picture also shows a D90SE feeding two of these - in that setup would the LA90D be in pass through and you use the DAC volume? Is that preferable to using the A90D or no big difference?
 
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Is my understanding of the two LA90 setup right? That I would use them in pass through mode and use the volume on my e.g. topping A90D as a preamp to control volume?

And yeah I’ll be trying when it arrives. What kind of things would I be looking for to know if the speaker is being underpowered? I have a UMIK-1 so I can do very basic measurement but my room has poor acoustics so I’m not sure it would be super enlightening.
In the bass region where you need the most power, the impedance of the R3 is pretty low (<4 ohm from 40-60 Hz and 110-280 Hz).

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With bridged LA90, you are only getting an increase from 120 W to 180 W at 4 ohm (1.8 dB increase). I don't think it is worth it. I'd think the new Hypex or Purifi are better choices if you want more power than a single LA90.

topping_la90.png
 
Is my understanding of the two LA90 setup right? That I would use them in pass through mode and use the volume on my e.g. topping A90D as a preamp to control volume?

And yeah I’ll be trying when it arrives. What kind of things would I be looking for to know if the speaker is being underpowered? I have a UMIK-1 so I can do very basic measurement but my room has poor acoustics so I’m not sure it would be super enlightening.

That's why many people (and i) always talk about a high powered SOTA class D at almost the same price tag that the LA90.

Recognize undepowered conditions can be easy at extreme situations, in other way is extremely difficult ... listening only to the test amplifier. Normally you listen to a high power decent amplifier side by side with the test amp and is more easy to figure out. The power and definition on low frequencies and high frequencies (hi-hats, cimbals) more transparent in complex moments can be audible. It seems that the sound "shouts" instead of a transparent sound.

I have the R3 with a 75 watts class AB amp and it sounds wonderful at 80-85dB (my listening level of volume) in a small room.
With a medium sized room my amp wouldn't work ... or maybe for someone that listens at 90dB or something more.
 
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