Topping Mini 300 Amplifier Review

[DACsNoMore]

With small factor amps like this - you need to watch out for adequate cooling. I have similar Fosi mono blocks and it sounds great for a 5-10 mins on moderate levels, but then base will start to disappear, then highs are gone and finally transforming to narrow mids short wave radio (exuberated for fun). After placing those on the fan - it never happened.

 

[ziggurcat]

With small factor amps like this - you need to watch out for adequate cooling. I have similar Fosi mono blocks and it sounds great for a 5-10 mins on moderate levels, but then base will start to disappear, then highs are gone and finally transforming to narrow mids short wave radio (exuberated for fun). After placing those on the fan - it never happened.

I've never had that happen with any of these types of amps.

 

[harkpabst]

With small factor amps like this - you need to watch out for adequate cooling. I have similar Fosi mono blocks and it sounds great for a 5-10 mins on moderate levels, but then base will start to disappear, then highs are gone and finally transforming to narrow mids short wave radio (exuberated for fun). After placing those on the fan - it never happened.

The Mini300 is a pretty different design (starting with the different chip). And the V3 Mono is known for running hot even when idling.

I would get rid of any amp that needs an external fan.

 

[ziggurcat]

The Mini300 is a pretty different design (starting with the different chip). And the V3 Mono is known for running hot even when idling.

I would get rid of any amp that needs an external fan.

Do we know what chip they're using with the Mini 300? I thought it was the TPA3251.

 

[harkpabst]

Do we know what chip they're using with the Mini 300? I thought it was the TPA3251.

No, we don't know for sure because Topping didn't officially reveal this information. But it's very likely the TPA3251.

OTOH it's very unlikely to be the TPA3255, because no known TPA3255 design has ever reached this level of performance.

 

[ziggurcat]

No, we don't know for sure because Topping didn't officially reveal this information. But it's very likely the TPA3251.

OTOH it's very unlikely to be the TPA3255, because no known TPA3255 design has ever reached this level of performance.

I thought maybe someone was brave enough to remove that heatsink where the amp chips are to find out, but I guess not!

 

[unveiled]

Finally set up my Mini 300 this afternoon.

@Jarrett my only review of it is that it works, and sounds great (as I expected). Compared to the 3e A7, it isn't as loud at the same volume level (for obvious reasons, and it was the same between the PA5 II, and the 3e A7). Only minor things of note is that when I turn the amp on, there's a very slight tick from my speakers after a few seconds, and a more audible pop when I turn the amp off that is mostly masked by the clicking of the toggle switch. The pop while turning it off is the same as the 3e A7, but with that amp, if I changed the output to HPA on my DX5 II, it went from a pop to a slight tick when turning the amp off. Unfortunately, that is not the case with the Mini 300, the pop is equally as audible when powered off regardless of the input on the DX5 II.

I fully recognize that that could be a product of my environment, but would like to know if anyone else hears anything like that (I also know that it's more or less normal, but if there's a way to lessen it, I am all ears). Not that it's causing any real concern (i.e. I'm not worried that it is going to do any damage), but it would be nice to eliminate it as much as possible.

I got my mini today and can report exactly the same behaviour: slight delayed tick after turning on, and a louder pop in sync with power off. I am also using the trigger, so the sound is more noticeable. Fortunately, the pops are very short, similar to what you get from vinyl.

 

[ziggurcat]

I got my mini today and can report exactly the same behaviour: slight delayed tick after turning on, and a louder pop in sync with power off. I am also using the trigger, so the sound is more noticeable. Fortunately, the pops are very short, similar to what you get from vinyl.

It's nothing that I'm particularly concerned about as far as it damaging my speaker or anything, but if there's a way to lessen it by any amount, I wouldn't mind.

 

[capslock]

With small factor amps like this - you need to watch out for adequate cooling. I have similar Fosi mono blocks and it sounds great for a 5-10 mins on moderate levels, but then base will start to disappear, then highs are gone and finally transforming to narrow mids short wave radio (exuberated for fun). After placing those on the fan - it never happened.

While the Fosi may be cooling challenged, the protection circuitry is inside the chip and it either activates or not. I don't see how the sound could degrade gradually.

 

[DACsNoMore]

While the Fosi may be cooling challenged, the protection circuitry is inside the chip and it either activates or not. I don't see how the sound could degrade gradually.

You do not see it or theorize, you would hear it. Protection is the last resort. They are a little bit more creative to avoid backlash from buyers with disabling the amp completely, small volume reduction "where it counts" is less noticeable by many consumers. Both chips are from TI, so the design would be similar, lol. Would be nice if someone would catch them red handed with test on moderate load/volume (~90dB) for long enough duration to trigger it. BTW, the fans are silent and specifically designed for this amps form factor, just creates small air circulation through the amps holes in the case.

 

[Chr1]

I am curious about this too. I am using my Mini 300 with sensitive speakers, often at high volume. It gets warm, but not hot. It always sounds good too, but I am wondering how much I can push it, what it's behaviour will be and if I am risking my speakers.
Personally I wish that all amplifiers would have clipping indicators, but I also realise that this would add additional cost.

Edit : My theory is that they don't add these as they would rather not have people know their amplifier is struggling!
I may be wrong however. YMMV!

 

[staticV3]

Would be nice if someone would catch them red handed with test on moderate load/volume (~90dB) for long enough duration to trigger it.

trigger what? Neither Amp has the ability to apply loudness compression or to purposely pull back just the bass and treble.

see the datasheet here: https://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tpa3251.pdf?ts=1770078217377&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ti.com%2F

 

[DACsNoMore]

trigger what? Neither Amp has the ability to apply loudness compression or to purposely pull back just the bass and treble.

see the datasheet here: https://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tpa3251.pdf?ts=1770078217377&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ti.com%2F

you expect them to publish it? right. classD is a black box.

 

[Bruce Morgen]

you expect them to publish it? right.

Imaginative credulousness posing as skepticism? You can't possibly be serious...

 

[gwing]

you expect them to publish it? right. classD is a black box.

It is perhaps true that there is more to learn about class D before it ceases to be a black box. Lack of knowledge makes many things seem like magic

 

[DACsNoMore]

I am perfectly fine with my tiny classD mono blocks on small silent fan. Never needed or seeking for others input, could figure out on my own. I shared my experiences with those, that is all. White papers are available on anything and are well known. BTW internal design is trade secret, so no-one has a clue on specific implementation. Just hilarious to see some projections from the bottom up. YMMV

 

[harkpabst]

IFIFY

I shared my irrelevant experiences with those, that is all.

 

[HKPolice]

Has anyone measured topping amps that weren't sent by the company? Pretty standard practice to send "golden samples" to reviewers.

 

[Bleib]

Has anyone measured topping amps that weren't sent by the company? Pretty standard practice to send "golden samples" to reviewers.

Here's another source for PAII
"I bought this Topping PA5 Mk II Plus (which I'll abbreviate as PA5II+ for simplicity) myself from Amazon, currently around US$325 with the intent to use in my own system."

Part I: Topping PA5 Mk II Plus (PA5II+) Class D amplifier review. (And RME ADI-2 Remote, "cultural pressure" for subjectivist audiophile reviews to include measurements?)

A blog for audiophiles about more objective topics. Measurements of audio gear. Reasonable, realistic, no snakeoil assessment of sound, and equipment.

archimago.blogspot.com

 

[Mort]

Has anyone measured topping amps that weren't sent by the company? Pretty standard practice to send "golden samples" to reviewers.

Nah. You are the first to ever bring that up.