Topping Mini 300 Amplifier Review

[staticV3]

Hope the source generator can be ruled out?

Don't think so.

The APx is not immune to GND loops when using its single ended I/O.

 

[VientoB]

There is a slight hump even with balanced.

 

[Roland68]

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?

How did you arrive at ONLY?
And where did you get this information?

 

[Timcognito]

Does anybody know if the Mini 300 goes into standby in the ON mode with no signal in from the preamp? The manual online says that it does in the TRIGGER mode when the switch is activated.
I just bought one for my garage/shop to save some shelf space and saw dust intrusion, as the one that it replaces had a lot vent perforations.

 

[SlowJim]

I don't use trigger and mine doesn't go into standby

 

[Timcognito]

I don't use trigger and mine doesn't go into standby

Thanks how can you tell?

 

[SlowJim]

Because it is warm to the touch and there is no lag when resuming music play

 

[Timcognito]

Just Googled it and this is what it says. But like you I came into my shop this morning to warm amp. I like music when I work and often forget to power down.

 

[ziggurcat]

The delays continue with my Mini 300 order, unfortunately, but I think the light at the end of the tunnel is in sight, and looks like I will be getting it sometime around the end of this month. The seller (Aoshida) -- who offered a bit of a rebate on the order when they initially informed me of the delay due to stock -- did bump that rebate up a bit more to compensate me for my continued patience. Again, it's not a lot, but it's not something I was expecting or even asking for/demanding (they were also very forthright/honest about the situation, and kept me informed on the progress throughout this process).

 

[somebodyelse]

Just Googled it and this is what it says. But like you I came into my shop this morning to warm amp. I like music when I work and often forget to power down.

Be aware that the AI gets this type of answer wrong. When I was trying to find out whether the Wiim Ultra could be configured to operate trigger only when specific outputs were selected (say to power up the power amp only when the line out was selected) the AI from the search insisted that was how it operated. It isn't - not in the Wiim docs, their forum or when I stuck a meter on the trigger output and measured it.

 

[Timcognito]

Be aware that the AI gets this type of answer wrong. When I was trying to find out whether the Wiim Ultra could be configured to operate trigger only when specific outputs were selected (say to power up the power amp only when the line out was selected) the AI from the search insisted that was how it operated. It isn't - not in the Wiim docs, their forum or when I stuck a meter on the trigger output and measured it.

Thanks for both of your responses but AI referred to this Topping page (screenshot) and it clearly says it goes into standby in the ON position with no input. But like SlowJim its seems too warm for that after an hour without playing and no LED indicator change, so I'm not sure. Class D typically uses 4-10 w at idle for a 50w amp.

 

[Sokel]

Thanks for both of your responses but AI referred to this Topping page (screenshot) and it clearly says it goes into standby in the ON position with no input. But like SlowJim its seems too warm for that after an hour without playing and no LED indicator change, so I'm not sure. Class D typically uses 4-10 w at idle for a 50w amp.

View attachment 503138

It may be the language, but what I get by the description is that the auto off is controlled by the DAC (and possibly by the DAC-PC ability to put the DAC on standby so to then trigger off the amp.

 

[Timcognito]

Another related question: My garage system is has laptop with Roon, an old Node N100 with a 5v trigger out, the Mini 300 amp with 12v trigger in and some 2 way speakers, so what will happen if try to trigger the 12v mini with the 5v node. Do not risk breaking anything.

 

[Roland68]

Thanks for both of your responses but AI referred to this Topping page (screenshot) and it clearly says it goes into standby in the ON position with no input. But like SlowJim its seems too warm for that after an hour without playing and no LED indicator change, so I'm not sure. Class D typically uses 4-10 w at idle for a 50w amp.

View attachment 503138

No, that's definitely not what it says. I can't find anywhere that Topping writes "it goes into standby in the ON position with no input."
It clearly states "automatically powers on/off with connected DACs or devices—no manual switching needed." This only works via a trigger.

That's a typical misinterpretation of the AI.
Topping's statement refers exclusively to syncing via a 12V trigger with the new Topping DACs, which can also be controlled smartly via the new Topping Home app.
Auto Power Sync -> 12V trigger from the DAC (or other device)
Smart TRIG Control -> Control via the Home app using the DAC's 12V trigger

 

[Roland68]

Another related question: My garage system is has laptop with Roon, an old Node N100 with a 5v trigger out, the Mini 300 amp with 12v trigger in and some 2 way speakers, so what will happen if try to trigger the 12v mini with the 5v node. Do not risk breaking anything.

You can try it out first. Some 12-volt triggers also respond to 5 volts.

Alternatively, you could get an inexpensive 5-to-12-volt DC-DC converter from AliExpress.

Or you could get a 5-volt relay board and a small 12-volt switching power supply (really small), connect it to the trigger input, and use the relay board to switch the mains voltage.

 

[khuntim]

No, that's definitely not what it says. I can't find anywhere that Topping writes "it goes into standby in the ON position with no input."
It clearly states "automatically powers on/off with connected DACs or devices—no manual switching needed." This only works via a trigger.

That's a typical misinterpretation of the AI.
Topping's statement refers exclusively to syncing via a 12V trigger with the new Topping DACs, which can also be controlled smartly via the new Topping Home app.
Auto Power Sync -> 12V trigger from the DAC (or other device)
Smart TRIG Control -> Control via the Home app using the DAC's 12V trigger

I wonder how it would work with the Wiim Ultra? It just goes into standby as far as i know. I am guessing very small power draw from the power adapter when Mini 300 is off?

 

[magreen]

Do you want me to compare it to over $1,000 amplifier with discrete class D amplification?

That aside, those numbers are good even without those qualifiers.

Thank you for the excellent review, as always.

I think a great many are interested in your summary of whether there are any differences within the range of human hearing between this amplifier and top shelf Benchmark, Purifi, and Ncore units, even when paired with high end speakers. (Within the amplifier’s power envelope obviously.)

 

[Roland68]

I wonder how it would work with the Wiim Ultra? It just goes into standby as far as i know. I am guessing very small power draw from the power adapter when Mini 300 is off?

What exactly do you mean?
The WiiM Ultra is a device that can go into sleep mode when inactive, or the user can do it.
The Mini 300 can be switched off/put into standby mode via the trigger output of the WiiM Ultra.

 

[khuntim]

What exactly do you mean?
The WiiM Ultra is a device that can go into sleep mode when inactive, or the user can do it.
The Mini 300 can be switched off/put into standby mode via the trigger output of the WiiM Ultra.

Yeah, wasn't real clear, I never shut the Ultra off really, It just goes into sleep mode. not sure if that would turn the amp off, or have to power off the ultra.

if the amp went into standby that could work.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Yeah, wasn't real clear, I never shut the Ultra off really, It just goes into sleep mode. not sure if that would turn the amp off, or have to power off the ultra.

if the amp went into standby that could work.

Sleep mode on the WiiM cuts the trigger signal so the amp shuts off.