Topping LA90 Review (Integrated Amplifier)

[antcollinet]

Seems pretty direct? Nothing passive about it.

93.57% + 53.57 percent > 100% ???
That may be considered 'passive'

I'm sure you can understand the words "of which" . See now: Rolleyes - that is passive aggression.

 

[Kitarist]

Lets talk about the amp

 

[Ingenieur]

Lets talk about the amp

Wonder if it could drive these to a satisfying volume?
Fed from one of their higher tier DAC's.
Should sound pretty good.

$800 amp
$500 DAC
$400 speakers
$500 form factor computer, cd reader, SSHD
FooBar, DBPOWERAMP
All set

75 dB, 4 m, 6 dB room gain, 2,speakers.
Net eff 96 dB
0.008 W, headroom using 50W
38 dB, peak 113 dB, should be enough

https://d2um2qdswy1tb0.cloudfront.net/product-specsheets/RP-400M_Spec-Sheet_v01.pdf

 

[jjmanda]

Someone who actually has one would be worth hearing from.
The rest is noise.

But honestly, they are likely listening to it, not talking about it.

First few hours of use, I find the amp exceptional with clarity and detail.
Ample enough power for my personal requirements.

Only thing I notice is the power on/off switch operation is very suspect.

At first, it would not power on properly and the input 1 indicator light would blink.
Then after several attempts of unplugging and plugging back in the power supply, it would power on.
Then without interrupting the power supply from the outlet, it would power on via the front switch but immediately power off and finally stay on after 2-3 attempts.
Last few times though, it powered on okay on the first attempt.
Once it's powered on, it will cycle through the inputs and power off okay.
Very strange and in my opinion, not normal.

 

[Kitarist]

How does it compare to PA5 in terms of sound?

 

[jjmanda]

How does it compare to PA5 in terms of sound?

PA5 is very good performer, but I'll tell you, I'm not inclined to rush it back in unless I need to return the LA90 because of power switch malfunction.

 

[Enkay25]

First few hours of use, I find the amp exceptional with clarity and detail.
Ample enough power for my personal requirements.

Only thing I notice is the power on/off switch operation is very suspect.

At first, it would not power on properly and the input 1 indicator light would blink.
Then after several attempts of unplugging and plugging back in the power supply, it would power on.
Then without interrupting the power supply from the outlet, it would power on via the front switch but immediately power off and finally stay on after 2-3 attempts.
Last few times though, it powered on okay on the first attempt.
Once it's powered on, it will cycle through the inputs and power off okay.
Very strange and in my opinion, not normal.

Perhaps you forgot that you are beta testers? (Heck even alpha?)

 

[restorer-john]

Perhaps you forgot that you are beta testers? (Heck even alpha?)

That's what the rear mounted LA-90 micro USB (FW- firmware) is all about! Version 1.11 is full of bugs and you'll need the 'emergency' firmware patch so the power switch functions properly...

 

[AdamG]

Let’s dial back the personal insults and comments. Several posts deleted, warnings issued and a perm thread ban tossed in for good measure. Please and thank you kindly.

 

[Kitarist]

Damn now really curious how it sounds By measurements its better than the benchmark amp which is my favorite tho in terms of sound

 

[Jim Shaw]

You have been fleeced, could have bought a Yamaha A-S301, which does all that, for less.

Yeah, for $0.05 less. I'll buy you a nickel beer with the difference and keep the Denon.

 

[WILL]

No listening test for this one?

 

[jjmanda]

Tell us about the sound Make a video

Does not look like I can attach video.
Don't think a video taken from my phone would give a very good or accurate representation of its performance anyways.

I think it is outstanding in regards to clarity and nuances.

This power on/off operation is wonky as all get out though.

Like it needs to "warm" and "charge" up or something for a few minutes, especially if you completely disconnect the external AC/DC power supply from its power.

I'm going to ask Topping about this....we'll see what and if they respond.

 

[Kitarist]

Does not look like I can attach video.
Don't think a video taken from my phone would give a very good or accurate representation of its performance anyways.

I think it is outstanding in regards to clarity and nuances.

This power on/off operation is wonky as all get out though.

Like it needs to "warm" and "charge" up or something for a few minutes, especially if you completely disconnect the external AC/DC power supply from its power.

I'm going to ask Topping about this....we'll see what and if they respond.

Upload it to Youtube then post a link

 

[restorer-john]

This power on/off operation is wonky as all get out though.

Like it needs to "warm" and "charge" up or something for a few minutes, especially if you completely disconnect the external AC/DC power supply from its power.

I'm going to ask Topping about this....we'll see what and if they respond.

Sounds like you need to show the ASR community exactly what you are talking about in relation to the turn-on/off fuctionality or lack of.

Just make a simple video, upload it, and link.

 

[jjmanda]

Sounds like you need to show the ASR community exactly what you are talking about in relation to the turn-on/off fuctionality or lack of.

Just make a simple video, upload it, and link.

 

[PeteL]

You should return it. Can’t be ok.

 

[Zek]

You may need to hold the button a little longer for on/off.
Maybe this button works like this:
long press - on
short press - change of input
long press - off

 

[jjmanda]

You may need to hold the button a little longer for on/off.
Maybe this button works like this:
long press - on
short press - change of input
long press - off

Thanks for the suggestion, but nope tried all that.

Short press should turn it on.

When on, short press cycles through inputs 1, 2 and 3.

Long press only turns it off when it's on.

When it's on, it stays on and it hasn't shut down on me while using it.

 

[PeteL]

Thanks for the suggestion, but nope tried all that.

Short press should turn it on.

When on, short press cycles through inputs 1, 2 and 3.

Long press only turns it off when it's on.

When it's on, it stays on and it hasn't shut down on me while using it.

Interestingly (or not) My car has a button instead of a key starter and started developing weird issues like that and it's driving me nuts. Mechanics job is not what it used to be with all the electronics in cars. Seen a few and no one seams to be able to work that.... Those thing can be a pain... I know unrelated but I feel your pain... Why can it just start... and stop...