This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping Mini300 balanced stereo class D amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and is on sale for US $128 (normal $139).
While in the typical desktop configuration, there is a level of polish to the look and feel of the mini 300. Controls are what you need in the form of input selection, power and trigger. The amplifier gain is appropriately on the low side so I performed all of my testing at maximum volume.
It is a relief to see an external amplifier power supply that is manageable in size and weight. It is Topping branded with extensive regulatory certifications. Nicely so, it comes with a screw on, locking power connector.
Balanced inputs are provided in the form of 1/4 connectors which are quite common in pro industry. You can purchase low cost adapters to XLR or do as I did which is use a cable with 1/4 inch at one and XLR at the other.
There are generous and large vents all around and underneath which managed to keep the amplifier quite cool even after my stress tests.
Topping Mini 300 Measurements
I started with balanced inputs:
Distortion is vanishingly low and well below threshold of hearing at -122 dB. Noise sets SINAD to a very respectable 104.5 dB, comfortably landing the mini 300 in the "excellent" category of all amplifiers tested to date:
RCA input costs you a bit of dynamic range and hence SINAD as usual:
EDIT: forgot to post SNR:
Post filter feedback seems to have been implemented resulting in almost no load dependency:
Crosstalk is better than average amplifier:
Multitone and 19+20 kHz show the typical rise in distortion with frequency although they are still excellent for the category:
Plenty of power is on top for such a small amp and small power supply:
EDIT: graph should say 90 watts, not 104.
Naturally you loose fair bit into 8 ohm but such a speaker impedance is rare:
It was difficult to measure power at 40 Hz as the amp would go into some intermediate protection mode where it would distort but not shut down. Eventually I got a single measurement:
Getting another bite at that apple, we see the response in our sweeps vs frequency:
I was pleasantly surprised to see the lowest power on/off noise I have ever measured and by a good bit:
Edit: as usual, the amp was ready to party on power up even though it dances a bit:
Conclusions
The Topping Mini 300 provides a polished execution with excellent implementation of class D using chip amplifier. For the cost of a single meal at a restaurant, you have a stereo amplifier that produces plenty of power yet occupies very little space. It certainly breaks the cliche that you have to spend a lot of money to get good performance.
I am happy to recommend the Topping Mini 300 stereo amplifier. It represent the category excellently, putting a smile on my face in test after test.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
While in the typical desktop configuration, there is a level of polish to the look and feel of the mini 300. Controls are what you need in the form of input selection, power and trigger. The amplifier gain is appropriately on the low side so I performed all of my testing at maximum volume.
It is a relief to see an external amplifier power supply that is manageable in size and weight. It is Topping branded with extensive regulatory certifications. Nicely so, it comes with a screw on, locking power connector.
Balanced inputs are provided in the form of 1/4 connectors which are quite common in pro industry. You can purchase low cost adapters to XLR or do as I did which is use a cable with 1/4 inch at one and XLR at the other.
There are generous and large vents all around and underneath which managed to keep the amplifier quite cool even after my stress tests.
Topping Mini 300 Measurements
I started with balanced inputs:
Distortion is vanishingly low and well below threshold of hearing at -122 dB. Noise sets SINAD to a very respectable 104.5 dB, comfortably landing the mini 300 in the "excellent" category of all amplifiers tested to date:
RCA input costs you a bit of dynamic range and hence SINAD as usual:
EDIT: forgot to post SNR:
Post filter feedback seems to have been implemented resulting in almost no load dependency:
Crosstalk is better than average amplifier:
Multitone and 19+20 kHz show the typical rise in distortion with frequency although they are still excellent for the category:
Plenty of power is on top for such a small amp and small power supply:
EDIT: graph should say 90 watts, not 104.
Naturally you loose fair bit into 8 ohm but such a speaker impedance is rare:
It was difficult to measure power at 40 Hz as the amp would go into some intermediate protection mode where it would distort but not shut down. Eventually I got a single measurement:
Getting another bite at that apple, we see the response in our sweeps vs frequency:
I was pleasantly surprised to see the lowest power on/off noise I have ever measured and by a good bit:
Edit: as usual, the amp was ready to party on power up even though it dances a bit:
Conclusions
The Topping Mini 300 provides a polished execution with excellent implementation of class D using chip amplifier. For the cost of a single meal at a restaurant, you have a stereo amplifier that produces plenty of power yet occupies very little space. It certainly breaks the cliche that you have to spend a lot of money to get good performance.
I am happy to recommend the Topping Mini 300 stereo amplifier. It represent the category excellently, putting a smile on my face in test after test.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
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