Topping LA90 Review (Integrated Amplifier)

[Tangram]

I'm confused (not difficult to do!).

One is supposedly linear, and one is switching? They both look identical to me.

View attachment 446439

View attachment 446435

Apologies if I've got the wrong end of the stick.

Edit: I suppose both of these are the Topping, and not the linear! Sorry, misunderstood.

Mani.

Here is another shot I just found, you can see the components at the AC end better

 

[Tangram]

I really appreciate you sharing the pictures of your opened power supply with us. I also absolutely cannot understand why @xaxxon is accusing you of such a thing. It is generally very impolite to assume something about other users or to put strange words in their mouths.

It looks like the power supply is well-built and well-made.
Could you please take some more pictures of the bottom and directly from the top?

Just added another shot I found.

 

[Architectorus]

Please tell what cable i need for connecting to preamp by rca? I doubdt that it is a regular xlr-rca cable. In fact, I don't understand how balanced connection can be converted to non balanced just with a cable..

 

[Bun-Bun]

How do you go from a Topping DX3 Pro to this LA90 amp but also to another power amp for a sub?

 

[knobtwiddler]

Please tell what cable i need for connecting to preamp by rca? I doubdt that it is a regular xlr-rca cable. In fact, I don't understand how balanced connection can be converted to non balanced just with a cable.

This link will show you the cable (but there is a caveat): https://www.ranecommercial.com/legacy/note110.html

The caveat is that you need to know what type of balanced out / in you are interfacing into RCA. There are different types (as the link shows). Most versions will be happy if you simply link pins 1+3 together (if it's a cross-coupled output or transformer you will not drop 6dB level this way). However, there are other types of output that may be active differential (for example), in which case you have to accept that you'll drop 6dB (and it may even stress the cold / pin-3 output if you short it to ground, potentially increasing overall distortion and possibly even damaging the buffer).

As far as balanced inputs are concerned, you cannot hurt anything if you short pins 1+3. However, as the Rane link shows, for best results it pays to know the topology that you're dealing with and use the correct cable. 9/10 XLR inputs and outs will be fine if you simply connect pins 1+3 together (RCA screen) and pin 2 to RCA tip - but there are exotic topologies that may not like this. A little homework is worth while before you reach for a generic XLR-RCA cable.

 

[babadono]

@Architectorus
this be "how to do RCA (unbalanced output) to XLR or TRS (balanced input)" see para 2.1

https://www.jensen-transformers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/an003.pdf

see also 2.4 if you are into tweaking your gear.

 

[babadono]

Monoprice wires their RCA to XLR cables in this fashion with Pins 1 and 3 tied together only at the RCA end.

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=4776.

inexpensive and gauranteed for life.

 

[Mike_Trueman]

Just wondering. Why is this thread sticky?

 

[Billy Budapest]

And where exactly is the fraud here?
A linear power supply with 64 volts and 4 A is being advertised for the Topping LA90. Does it not meet the specifications? Does it not work? Is something being advertised that isn't true?

Every manufacturer can sell whatever they want (of course, only if it's legally permissible), and every buyer is free to decide whether to buy something. That's exactly how the market is regulated.
If an adult buyer thinks they want to buy a linear power supply for their LA90, it's certainly not fraud if a dealer sells one to them.

The “fraud” could potentially come into play if people marketing power supplies make false claims their power supplies will make the LA90 sound better. I don’t know if any such claims are being made or by whom. Of course, a court would have to rule that the marketing was deceptive or fraudulent. I wouldn't just throw those words around.

 

[TheWalkman]

Just wondering. Why is this thread sticky?

I’m just guessing that having the best SINAD of any amp that Amir has measured might factor in.

 

[Sal1950]

Just wondering. Why is this thread sticky?

Amir was eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on day and -----------------------------

 

[AudioSceptic]

Amir was eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on day and -----------------------------

Only in the USA does "peanut butter and jelly sandwich" not seem really weird. ;-)

 

[gvl]

Only in the USA does "peanut butter and jelly sandwich" not seem really weird. ;-)

But they are missing out!

 

[Billy Budapest]

Only in the USA does "peanut butter and jelly sandwich" not seem really weird. ;-)

Don’t forget in Canada. And I believe they are eaten in Australia and New Zealand too.

I don’t eat peanut butter and jelly, technically. I always eat it with strawberry jam/preserves, or raspberry jam/preserves.. Don’t like jelly, grape or otherwise.

 

[antcollinet]

Only in the USA does "peanut butter and jelly sandwich" not seem really weird. ;-)

I eat them - but perhaps only because I have USAnian family.

They are delicious.

 

[Billy Budapest]

I eat them - but perhaps only because I have USAnian family.

They are delicious.

I gotta say, the Brits excel at jam:

Little Scarlet Strawberry Conserve

Our Signature conserve (also known as Little Scarlet strawberry preserve or jam) made with the rare and intensely sweet Little Scarlet strawberries grown exclusively on the Wilkin & Sons Estate. No artificial colours or flavours. 340g Jar.

www.tiptree.com

It pairs exceedingly well with my favorite peanut butter:

Natural Chunky Peanut Butter | Smucker's®

Stir up something special with Smucker’s® Chunky Natural Peanut Butter, made with two simple ingredients: fresh-roasted peanuts and a dash of salt. Its great for sandwiches and snacks, and also adds just the right crunch to recipes, dips, and dressings.

www.smuckers.com

And what I think is the classic bread for PB&J—the inexpensive, super-fluffy Bunny Bread:

White Soft-Twist Bread 16oz – Bunny Bread

Our White Soft-Twist Bread 16oz is the perfect bread for your favorite sandwich.

bunnybread.com

If you can’t get Bunny Bread in your area, the ubiquitous Wonder Bread works too.

If you want to class it up a little bit, Pepperidge Farm White Sandwich Bread is good as well.

I wouldn’t make PB&J on any kind of artisanal bread.

 

[AudioSceptic]

I gotta say, the Brits excel at jam:

Little Scarlet Strawberry Conserve

Our Signature conserve (also known as Little Scarlet strawberry preserve or jam) made with the rare and intensely sweet Little Scarlet strawberries grown exclusively on the Wilkin & Sons Estate. No artificial colours or flavours. 340g Jar.

www.tiptree.com

It pairs exceedingly well with my favorite peanut butter:

Natural Chunky Peanut Butter | Smucker's®

Stir up something special with Smucker’s® Chunky Natural Peanut Butter, made with two simple ingredients: fresh-roasted peanuts and a dash of salt. Its great for sandwiches and snacks, and also adds just the right crunch to recipes, dips, and dressings.

www.smuckers.com

And what I think is the classic bread for PB&J—the inexpensive, super-fluffy Bunny Bread:

White Soft-Twist Bread 16oz – Bunny Bread

Our White Soft-Twist Bread 16oz is the perfect bread for your favorite sandwich.

bunnybread.com

If you can’t get Bunny Bread in your area, the ubiquitous Wonder Bread works too.

If you want to class it up a little bit, Pepperidge Farm White Sandwich Bread is good as well.

I wouldn’t make PB&J on any kind of artisanal bread.

Oh dear, what have I started???!!!

 

[Roland68]

I gotta say, the Brits excel at jam:

Little Scarlet Strawberry Conserve

Our Signature conserve (also known as Little Scarlet strawberry preserve or jam) made with the rare and intensely sweet Little Scarlet strawberries grown exclusively on the Wilkin & Sons Estate. No artificial colours or flavours. 340g Jar.

www.tiptree.com

It pairs exceedingly well with my favorite peanut butter:

Natural Chunky Peanut Butter | Smucker's®

Stir up something special with Smucker’s® Chunky Natural Peanut Butter, made with two simple ingredients: fresh-roasted peanuts and a dash of salt. Its great for sandwiches and snacks, and also adds just the right crunch to recipes, dips, and dressings.

www.smuckers.com

And what I think is the classic bread for PB&J—the inexpensive, super-fluffy Bunny Bread:

White Soft-Twist Bread 16oz – Bunny Bread

Our White Soft-Twist Bread 16oz is the perfect bread for your favorite sandwich.

bunnybread.com

If you can’t get Bunny Bread in your area, the ubiquitous Wonder Bread works too.

If you want to class it up a little bit, Pepperidge Farm White Sandwich Bread is good as well.

I wouldn’t make PB&J on any kind of artisanal bread.

You forgot to mention the British (bitter) orange marmalade, very tasty

 

[Sal1950]

If you can’t get Bunny Bread in your area, the ubiquitous Wonder Bread works too.

If you want to class it up a little bit, Pepperidge Farm White Sandwich Bread is good as well.

I wouldn’t make PB&J on any kind of artisanal bread.

Just don't use any of the damn "bird seed" bread.
It just ain't fittin !

 

[Roland68]

Amir was eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on day and -----------------------------

Only in the USA does "peanut butter and jelly sandwich" not seem really weird. ;-)

To bring this particular topic to a fitting conclusion, I'd like to point out a very dirty and obscene American joke involving peanut butter and jam. The joke only works in English and is easy to find on Google .

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