Topping LA90 Review (Integrated Amplifier)

[mocenigo]

Anyway, I was able to find the data for the SMSL D1se2: Output Impedance: XLR 207 Ohm: RCA 142 Ohm. Should be ok.

Still no difference even with a (rare) high dac output impedance - as long as the reactive impedance of the load (including interconnect) is sufficiently high not to cause frequency response variations.

Which is exactly what I meant.

It would have to be a very high output impedance, and a very capacitive interconnect for that to result in audible FR changes.

Sadly, "very" is not a number. A ratio of at least 10 for the impedances is recommented, but higher is not necessarily worse.

Even then - if you use a preamp with low output impedance, it only helps if the reactive impedance into the Preamp is higher than the amp. And if you are using the same interconnects out of the DAC, then it doesn’t help.

True as well. An obvious question now is what an upped limit to the cable capacitance should be.

But yes - also as @voodooless says - don’t buy faulty gear in the first place, then there is no risk of needing to spend another £1K on fixing it.

Yup. I bought the pre90 to put between the 90D and my Purifi build to be able to switch between power amp and headmp with a remote, and have transparent volume control in the analog domain, instead of the digital domain, even though I am quite sure I never heard a verifiable sound difference. And it is cool to have SotA objects. It did not cost much, I did not even purchase the extension. Way, way less than £1K.

 

[babadono]

Output Impedance: XLR 207 Ohm: RCA 142 Ohm

Strange values...just sayin'

 

[Spkrdctr]

Then just get an AVR and be done with all the audiophile nonsense

But, this is nonsense headquarters at times. Thanks for the breath of fresh air. It seems 90% of the topics end up in an engineering numbers argument. They all admit none if it is audible, especially when listening to speakers in a real room, but the arguments continue everyday all day. Then there are the people who AB an item and claim they can hear differences that the numbers say are impossible to hear! What is a regular consumer to do? Luckily ASR caters to both types. Engineers and those wanting just simple advice on setting up a decent system. ASR for the win!

 

[babadono]

What led me to trying the Topping amps was a quest for the lowest possible "no signal " noise from my very efficient horn loudspeakers. The Toppings are the hands down winners in this albeit I have not tried everything. They also sound good when outputting signal as well.

 

[Sal1950]

What led me to trying the Topping amps was a quest for the lowest possible "no signal " noise from my very efficient horn loudspeakers.

Yea that can be tricky, I dealt with the same from my Klipsch La Scalas.
I wanted to run tubes back then and went thru a number of amps before I found one acceptable.
In the end my VTL Compact monoblocks were quiet at the listening chair, but I could hear some soft hiss with my ear close to the speaker.
Also every couple years a 12AT7 input would get noisy and need replacing, and there was more.
OH the joys of running very high efficiency speakers.

 

[john11]

Then just get an AVR and be done with all the audiophile nonsense

Avr's are rubbish. Seperates rule !!!

 

[john11]

What led me to trying the Topping amps was a quest for the lowest possible "no signal " noise from my very efficient horn loudspeakers. The Toppings are the hands down winners in this albeit I have not tried everything. They also sound good when outputting signal as well.View attachment 395726View attachment 395727View attachment 395728View attachment 395729

Amazing !!!!

 

[Mike_Trueman]

The new Node icon would be a good match with the LA90 amplifier, XLR connection and a subwoofer output.

NODE ICON - Reference Music Streamer

The NODE ICON is a flagship wireless music streamer, designed for the audio obsessed. With its sleek aluminum chassis, and vibrant 5” full-color display, it sets a new benchmark for wireless music streamers.

www.bluesound.com

 

[mike70]

The new Node icon would be a good match with the LA90 amplifier, XLR connection and a subwoofer output.

NODE ICON - Reference Music Streamer

The NODE ICON is a flagship wireless music streamer, designed for the audio obsessed. With its sleek aluminum chassis, and vibrant 5” full-color display, it sets a new benchmark for wireless music streamers.

www.bluesound.com

Wiim ultra is like 3x less ... sub out, no XLR

 

[Mike_Trueman]

Wiim ultra is like 3x less ... sub out, no XLR

Yeah i know it cost more but it has more features also and look nicer to me.
I am not saying the WiiM Ultra is bad for it's price. We will see what the reviews says

• Dual-mono DAC design with 2 x ESS Sabre ES9039Q2M DAC
• THX AAA™ headphone amplifier technology with 2 x 1/4" jacks for cable management
• High-quality balanced XLR outputs
• HDMI eARC, optical, analog and USB-C inputs
• RCA, coax, optical, USB outputs
• Apple AirPlay 2 and aptX Adaptive Bluetooth*
• Dirac Live Ready*
• Beautiful 5” full-colour HD display and backlit touch panel with presets and controls