Topping LA90 Review (Integrated Amplifier)

[Ziofrenko]

I hope I don't expect anything...

 

[staticV3]

Hi
If you still have this amplifier or if you no longer have it, maybe you remember its sound character and could help me.
How does this amplifier build the sound stage?
How deep and wide is the soundstage?
Where is the beginning of the soundstage - in front of the speaker line, on the speaker line or behind the speaker line?
Is the sound detached from the speakers and coming out to the sides?
Kind regards
Michal

The LA90 is a simple amplifier. It cannot "build a sound stage".

That's the job of your speakers, listening environment, music, and potentially DSP.

 

[daniboun]

Hi
If you still have this amplifier or if you no longer have it, maybe you remember its sound character and could help me.
How does this amplifier build the sound stage?
How deep and wide is the soundstage?
Where is the beginning of the soundstage - in front of the speaker line, on the speaker line or behind the speaker line?
Is the sound detached from the speakers and coming out to the sides?
Kind regards
Michal

Sold it sorry.... Got some reliability issues with my second one btw. Nice amplifier but I dont want to trust Topping anymore.

 

[mike70]

I cannot afford a high-quality amplifier with such measurements

Well, I think that's incorrect ... you can find near SOTA hypex amps at the topping price tag. Search for (in the US) buckeye, Vtv, ... etc.

That modules are high quality and have proved durability.

 

[Ziofrenko]

Could you please write something regarding my questions?

Your questions are completely meaningless... And I speak as a sound professional for 10 years and as a bass player for 20 years.
Once the crasstalk measurements are at such high levels, the soundstage cannot be compromised...
It is the other amplifiers with more relevant crosstalk and distortion values that disturb the soundstage present in the support.

 

[Deleted member 48726]

I am aware of this, but I cannot afford a high-quality amplifier with such measurements.
Could you please write something regarding my questions?

You don't need anything close to this level of THD+N.

Can you hear a difference between dac+amp path with 92dB vs. 78dB SINAD? (test)

Can you hear a difference between dac+amp path with 92dB vs. 78dB SINAD? Quite a lot has been said here about “audibility” of SINAD, or existing/non-existing sound differences between amplifiers or DACs. Quite often we forget to evaluate SINAD of the whole audio chain consisting of a DAC, power...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[RCL162]

I hope I don't expect anything...

Well it is still the same product with no update about reliability then? Pity..i want two.

 

[daniboun]

I am aware of this, but I cannot afford a high-quality amplifier with such measurements.
Could you please write something regarding my questions?

Difficult to answer but as far as I remember. Ultra transparent amp with a great soundstage. Lack a bit of power.... Nice for small / medium rooms.
If you are looking for an alternative check my "Micro audio project" ))

 

[Palladium]

You don't need anything close to this level of THD+N.

Can you hear a difference between dac+amp path with 92dB vs. 78dB SINAD? (test)

Can you hear a difference between dac+amp path with 92dB vs. 78dB SINAD? Quite a lot has been said here about “audibility” of SINAD, or existing/non-existing sound differences between amplifiers or DACs. Quite often we forget to evaluate SINAD of the whole audio chain consisting of a DAC, power...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I took my phone SPL app inside of my crappy car and measured 60db dBA broadband noise floor with the engine idling and 70dbA at 60kph, and yet people are still worried about a "mere" SINAD of ~75dB of a car amp for some reason.

 

[Ziofrenko]

In a "mere sinad" there is also distortion as well as noise!!!! THD It's always perceptible.
So if you have a 100dB speaker, that can reach easily 120/125dB of max SPL, and yuo have a room with 40dB of noise floor here the difference between 90 and 120dB of sinad is clearly perceptible.
As well is very noticeable a difference of 30dB of noise on a Mic preamp when you have to do 60 or 70dB of gain on a Mic...

 

[antcollinet]

In a "mere sinad" there is also distortion as well as noise!!!! THD It's always perceptible.
So if you have a 100dB speaker, that can reach easily 120/125dB of max SPL, and yuo have a room with 40dB of noise floor here the difference between 90 and 120dB of sinad is clearly perceptible.
As well is very noticeable a difference of 30dB of noise on a Mic preamp when you have to do 60 or 70dB of gain on a Mic...

If you are listening at a steady 125dB, your ears are going to be damaged before you need to worry about Sinad.

 

[Deleted member 48726]

I took my phone SPL app inside of my crappy car and measured 60db dBA broadband noise floor with the engine idling and 70dbA at 60kph, and yet people are still worried about a "mere" SINAD of ~75dB of a car amp for some reason.

Yeah. And in house it's about 30 dBA if it's really quiet.
No reason to chase the numbers.

 

[Palladium]

If you are listening at a steady 125dB, your ears are going to be damaged before you need to worry about Sinad.

That's only 40dB above the definite risk of incurring hearing damage.

I also wonder how many people have hearing damage and not even know it. 70dB SPL music is in the bloody loud territory to my ears.

At one time on a commuter train I was able to hear noise coming from someone's else earbuds from 3 meters away, that's crazy.

 

[john11]

Visitors knock on my door and say to me : We knew you were at home, we could hear your music from the bottom of the street

The neighbours: I won't tell you what the neighbours say

 

[Ziofrenko]

If you are listening at a steady 125dB, your ears are going to be damaged before you need to worry about Sinad.

120dB is a normal SPL on the stage for an orchestral plenum...
So if you can call hi-fi your sistem you have to reach 110dB SPL with less THD possible...
An acoustic drum set can easily go well above 120dB.
The majority of top class main monitors on studio have max SPL above 110/115dB.

 

[Deleted member 48726]

120dB is a normal SPL on the stage for an orchestral plenum...
So if you can call hi-fi your sistem you have to reach 110dB SPL with less THD possible...
An acoustic drum set can easily go well above 120dB.
The majority of top class main monitors on studio have max SPL above 110/115dB.

To be clear; when you talk about dB SPL you talk about dBC -right?

If you are, I agree with you. Having a system capable of high SPL and low distortion is something everyone should try. But it's not exactly the same to say you want the levels that are present on the stage. The musicians are wearing hearing protection (I hope).

 

[DrSpan]

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping LA90 integrated amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $800.
View attachment 202305
I must say, this is one interesting industrial design. Everything oozes style despite the diminutive package. This aspect continues in the operation of the unit with the sound of the relays solidly clicking indicating something good is going to happen. Here is the side view:


Due to more power available now, we cross the amazing 140 dB SNR threshold. What this says is that even if you play at 140 dB, the noise level will be at or below threshold of hearing! Of course there is not enough power there to do that but basically you know that noise is not part of the equation with LA90 as even 5 watt measurement hits below threshold of hearing.

We want to know the power increase though so here it is (with 8 ohm which is the minimum impedance):

Amazing. Also funny format. It looks like someone took an Spl Volume 2 and put an amp inside.
This site is amazing. If it was easier to send things ot the U.S but….customs. I would have send you the Tangent Powerampster 2 i had for a few days. Felt very well build
but i send it back cause i had no way of testing it since my speaker died one day before it arrived.
Keep up the good work Amir!

 

[Ziofrenko]

To be clear; when you talk about dB SPL you talk about dBC -right?

If you are, I agree with you. Having a system capable of high SPL and low distortion is something everyone should try. But it's not exactly the same to say you want the levels that are present on the stage. The musicians are wearing hearing protection (I hope).

A drummer wear ear protection (now, non in 70' or 80' or 90').
A symphony orchestra, no, it seems banal to me... The orchestra can reach 120dB, but it doesn't maintain it for 10 minutes.
And I would also like to remind you that there are tables on hearing damage based on pressure... They depend on the amount of time clearly.

 

[glorei]

I have just one question. Its a good choice (L90) for B&W 683 S2? Now i have dac Topping DX3 Pro+, but amplifier (receiver) Yamaha RX V 659. Thank you

 

[antcollinet]

I have just one question. Its a good choice (L90) for B&W 683 S2? Now i have dac Topping DX3 Pro+, but amplifier (receiver) Yamaha RX V 659. Thank you

What do you expect to get from the change.

If it is sound quality there is a good chance you won't be able to hear a difference from the Yamaha in pure direct mode. The Yamaha is already very good.