Topping Mini 300 Amplifier Review

[Chr1]

Hi, a bit off the subject, but I bought this Topping amp after reading on this forum : https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping’s-new-amplifier-mini300.67036/page-11

I've been using a Mission LX-2 mk1 for 6+ years with a small SMSL-SA-50.
While this is quite cheap (it did the job haha), it worked well enough for nearfield (desk usage) for gaming/musics.

Thus, I wanted to go bigger, bought :
- SVS SB 1000 (I listen to all sorts but rock, EDM sounds more fun with one)
- Topping Mini 300
- SMSL SU 1 DAC

And now I'd love to upgrade my speakers, from what people say KEF LS 50 meta is a great uppgrade (very detailed) for nearfield.
Is it fair to think Topping mini 300 could work with that speaker ? Should I consider different speakers ?

Sorry if it's off subject again, just a bit confused why people say some Class D can work very well and then keep recommending 2k € amplifier for any speaker uppgrade (the speaker themselve are already quite an investment). Thanks if anyone has some advices/experiences to share.

Zuvila

If you can offload the lower frequencies to your subwoofer (say <80 Hz), it should be fine. Otherwise it may struggle as the KEFs are not a particularly easy load.

The usual caveat :
All of this is volume dependant obviously.

 

[zuvila]

If you can offload the lower frequencies to your subwoofer (say <80 Hz), it should be fine. Otherwise it may struggle as the KEFs are not a particularly easy load.

The usual caveat :
All of this is volume dependant obviously.

In 99% daily usage I would be sitting 1-1,5m away from the speaker.
If the quality of the sound is fine with this Topping then I would assume the volume is fine too (at 80-83db its quite loud already to me, so I'm aiming 70-75db most listening).
The subwoofer question has already been considered heavily yes (I also planned for a Mini DSP to adjust the bass).

 

[Roland68]

This is partially trauma from PA5 but would it be possible to add heatsinks to more components inside the case? I think the original failure point were op mans in the Topping casing. They removed it on PA5 II, and I see it looks kind of the same deal here. Is it possible to just add a small heatsink? Adding to that the ventilation holes still look small to me. AFAIK PA5 II has been mostly fine so I'm not strongly stating anything. It'd just add more peace of mind. I'd rather the cooling be little over-engineered and pay $50 more. Or the case be slightly larger to accomodate stuff.

At such a low price you could destroy 4 of these to match the price of a Hypex amp so the price reductions since the original PA5 are also doing some lifting here.

IDK, maybe nobody ever adds heatsinks to those op amps and they're expected to work for a long time and the issue was only the potting. If that's the case LMK.

Also correct me if I'm wrong. PA5 had op amp + PFFB circuitry under potting. PA5 II had the op amps moved out as that generated most the heat and was what failed. This one I don't seem to detect any potting whatsoever.

That's an old wives' tale; the PA5 never had a heat problem. It's a rumor spread out of ignorance and based on false assumptions.
The problems with the PA5 were caused by the modules being potted with potting compound.

The PA5 II also doesn't have heat sinks for the op-amps.

 

[BoredErica]

That's an old wives' tale; the PA5 never had a heat problem. It's a rumor spread out of ignorance and based on false assumptions.
The problems with the PA5 were caused by the modules being potted with potting compound.

The PA5 II also doesn't have heat sinks for the op-amps.

Huh, I thought it had thermal problems because of potting?

 

[Jiraya369]

What does this mean?


JSmith

speakers that make sounds vs speakers that dont make sound

 

[Roland68]

Huh, I thought it had thermal problems because of potting?

No, it was a technical problem, not a thermal one. There are hundreds, or rather thousands, of old PA5 units that have been working perfectly for years.

 

[OldTimer]

This is the usual way of bi-wiring, the only difference from "regular" wiring is the length of each cable-segment. This has no effect on the impedance of the speaker.
View attachment 502116

Speaker Impedance: Serial vs Paralel

Parallel wiring drops your total impedance considerably-two 8-ohm speakers become a 4-ohm load, delivering maximum power and superior sound quality.

I am using the term Paralel, not bi-wring but actually this is what I mean bi-wiring.

 

[Chr1]

No, it was a technical problem, not a thermal one. There are hundreds, or rather thousands, of old PA5 units that have been working perfectly for years.

Can you elaborate please? It's still unclear to me what the problem with the PA5 was.
Thanks.

 

[MCH]

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-pa7-plus-amplifier-review.43932/post-1561732

 

[Chr1]

Thanks for the information.

 

[Roland68]

View attachment 502154

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-pa7-plus-amplifier-review.43932/post-1561732

This false information doesn't become true just because you post it again in an oversized format.

Topping already obscured the true reasons for the ESD problem with the L30.

With the PA5, a false reason was also given, whether intentionally or out of ignorance, I can't say. Perhaps they didn't want to admit that they only intended to hide the circuitry with the potting compound and that improper handling of the compound led to the failure. Some companies have trouble taking responsibility for their actions.

The facts are:
- In many PA5s, one or both channels failed.
- The affected channel became quieter and began to distort until it failed completely.
- This didn't change even after cooling down.
- A few units recovered, but that was the exception.

I initially suspected an overheating issue, but in one of our heat/aging chambers, the encapsulated module in the PA5 barely exceeded 70°C at an ambient temperature of 40°C and under high load.
The installed op-amps still function perfectly even at 120°C.

After the user Gamerpaddy opened the first module and was able to reactivate his PA5, I also started repairing my own and those belonging to friends and acquaintances.
I've now repaired over 15 PA5s, all of which have been working flawlessly ever since.
None of the PA5s required any component or op-amp replacement. Removing the potting compound, cleaning thoroughly, resoldering any loose connections if necessary, and the PA5s were working again.

If it had been an overheating problem, the PA5s would have had to function again after cooling down, or components like op-amps would have needed to be replaced. Neither was the case. The heat problem is complete nonsense.

 

[Chr1]

Thanks for the explanation. But what exactly does the potting compound do to make the amp fail in this way though? Still not clear to me. Ta.

 

[howard416]

What are the benefits of the A5 over this? More power?

A5 comes with a volume bypass option (good) and an auto-off (good or bad, depends on your needs and preferences). Selectable gain for SE input. Actual XLR combo jacks instead of just 1/4" jacks. And yes, a bit more power, which at this range is definitely helpful. Though, the Mini 300 does have slightly better distortion performance and a trigger input, as well as better on/off noise.

Also, to my knowledge, 3e never had a number of widespread issues with their amps that then took way too long to address properly with still arguably inadequate transparency about root cause. So if you like supporting companies with better after-market support, there is that.

 

[rolfrander]

Speaker Impedance: Serial vs Paralel

Parallel wiring drops your total impedance considerably-two 8-ohm speakers become a 4-ohm load, delivering maximum power and superior sound quality.

I am using the term Paralel, not bi-wring but actually this is what I mean bi-wiring.

Yes, if you connect two speakers to the same terminals, the impedance will drop. I don’t think this is what @Chr1 does (the post you quoted and replied to)

 

[Chagall]

I am using the term Paralel, not bi-wring but actually this is what I mean bi-wiring.

I don't think you are...because connecting in parallel doesn't require speakers to have bi-wire terminals. You are confusing two different things...it happens.

the class D amp is smart enough. Of course your speakers must have bi-wire capability, such as Fyne Audio F501E, Wharfedale Diamond 12.3, etc.

Parallel wiring is simply two speakers on the same channel (LL / RR), which halves the impedance if the speakers have the same impedance.
Bi-wiring is just running two sets of wires to the same speaker (L / R). It does not change impedance or power delivery, and in practice does nothing measurable.

 

[spookym]

Thanks for the explanation. But what exactly does the potting compound do to make the amp fail in this way though? Still not clear to me. Ta.

Quoting gamerpaddy:

"Its potting compound expands and contracts when it heats/cools and rips off components in the process."

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-replacement-for-everyone.44219/#post-1572910

 

[Roland68]

Thanks for the explanation. But what exactly does the potting compound do to make the amp fail in this way though? Still not clear to me. Ta.

Quoting gamerpaddy:

"Its potting compound expands and contracts when it heats/cools and rips off components in the process."

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-replacement-for-everyone.44219/#post-1572910

Cracks at the solder joints caused by the expansion and contraction of the potting compound due to heating and cooling can be a problem.

Inadequate cleaning before potting, failure to apply a protective and insulating layer, incompatibility of the circuit board material and soldering process with the potting compound, etc., are likely further issues. Simply put, a lack of know-how.

Presumably, the aforementioned issues have led to the formation of high- and low-resistance creepage paths under the potting compound, which explains both the nature and the slow progression of the failures, as well as the miraculous recovery after removal of the potting compound and thorough cleaning.

 

[Chr1]

Thanks for the explanation folks. I guess it must be frustrating when other manufacturers copy your circuit designs. Presumably this was the only reason the potting compound was used?

Apologies. Realise I'm verging off topic here, but surely this analysing of competitors circuitry happens all the time and not just with Topping and the PA5...

 

[amirm]

Also, is there a power up stability graph for this amp? Like this:

Oops. Forgot to post. Just updated the review:

 

[awdelft]

About the noise spectrum for rca vs balanced input: I am a bit puzzled by the appearance of supply noise with rca ONLY. Hope the source generator can be ruled out?