Topping Mini 300 Amplifier Review

[Jcrow]

Cool! Which speakers did you upgrade to? The Yamaha's are great for the money, but not the most pleasant listening speakers I suppose.

I got the new Dali Sonik 3. Everything else in my set up has been reviewed here (topping dac and amp), but I took a bit of chance on the Dalis, considering they haven’t been reviewed objectively anywhere. I figured it was highly unlikely they’d be worse than the Yamahas. So far I’m very happy with them.
Yeah the HS5s served me well for 17 years! But so glad I upgraded finally.

 

[ferossan]

Ordered! This seemed the perfect option to have my first go with class D amplification.

Curious to hear how it'll stack up against my trusty Rotel RB-06.

Don’t forget to let us know how it stacks up against the Rotel; it’ll be an interesting read.

 

[ferossan]

I got the new Dali Sonik 3. Everything else in my set up has been reviewed here (topping dac and amp), but I took a bit of chance on the Dalis, considering they haven’t been reviewed objectively anywhere. I figured it was highly unlikely they’d be worse than the Yamahas. So far I’m very happy with them.
Yeah the HS5s served me well for 17 years! But so glad I upgraded finally.

I’m a huge Dali speaker enthusiast. I’m currently using a Topping Mini 300 to drive a pair of Oberon 3s. I’ve been thinking about upgrading to the Sonik 3s to use with the Mini 300, but I haven't had the chance to audition them yet, I’m not sure if they’d be a real upgrade. They’re a relatively new model and aren't available in my country yet.

 

[Jcrow]

I’m a huge Dali speaker enthusiast. I’m currently using a Topping Mini 300 to drive a pair of Oberon 3s. I’ve been thinking about upgrading to the Sonik 3s to use with the Mini 300, but I haven't had the chance to audition them yet, I’m not sure if they’d be a real upgrade. They’re a relatively new model and aren't available in my country yet.

I don’t think they’d be a significant upgrade to be honest. The woofer is new, but I don’t know if it’s any better than before (they don’t seem to state that either). I nearly went with Oberon because they’re discounted at the moment, but liked the look of the sonik.

If you want an upgrade, I think it’s probably the Opticon, but they’re 2x the price.

 

[Kaos13]

I’m a huge Dali speaker enthusiast. I’m currently using a Topping Mini 300 to drive a pair of Oberon 3s. I’ve been thinking about upgrading to the Sonik 3s to use with the Mini 300, but I haven't had the chance to audition them yet, I’m not sure if they’d be a real upgrade. They’re a relatively new model and aren't available in my country yet.

I’m “jumping in” for the first time on this forum, although I read it often, because I noticed that Dali speakers are being mentioned.

In my small 23 sqm workshop, I have a mini desktop setup consisting of: PC → Topping E30 → Loxjie A30 → Dali Spektor 1.

Do you think upgrading from the Loxjie A30 to the new Topping Mini 300 could bring truly noticeable improvements? At the moment, I would only use the unbalanced RCA inputs, and on the Loxjie I only use the volume knob.

Any advice or direct experience would be greatly appreciated.

 

[RandomEar]

I’m “jumping in” for the first time on this forum, although I read it often, because I noticed that Dali speakers are being mentioned.

In my small 23 sqm workshop, I have a mini desktop setup consisting of: PC → Topping E30 → Loxjie A30 → Dali Spektor 1.

Do you think upgrading from the Loxjie A30 to the new Topping Mini 300 could bring truly noticeable improvements? At the moment, I would only use the unbalanced RCA inputs, and on the Loxjie I only use the volume knob.

Any advice or direct experience would be greatly appreciated.

If you currently hear any noise/tweeter hiss, that will likely become inaudible with the Mini300. If you currently lack power and the amp distorts, switching over might also help - but in that case, I would rather look for at least 4x the power. In any other case, I wouldn't expect audible improvements.

Yes, the Loxjie doesn't measure great, but it's passable distortion-wise. Its main problem is that the analog input sucks - if possible, you should therefore switch to the A30's USB, optical or coax input and drop the Topping E30 from your current setup. That would be an immediate improvement and would be free.

 

[somebodyelse]

Its main problem is that the analog input sucks - if possible, you should therefore switch to the A30's USB, optical or coax input and drop the Topping E30 from your current setup. That would be an immediate improvement and would be free.

That's not true - see later in the review where the review where the analog input is retested with the same volume setting as the digital, giving the same result as the digital input. It does mean you need to be aware of gain staging though.

 

[RandomEar]

That's not true - see later in the review where the review where the analog input is retested with the same volume setting as the digital, giving the same result as the digital input. It does mean you need to be aware of gain staging though.

Interesting. Relevant post here and yes, that seems to be the case. Amir concludes that

So the preamp is noisy.

so maybe using digital input you don't risk running into that problem, but you're also fine with analog in as long as the input level is high enough.

 

[Kaos13]

Interesting. Relevant post here and yes, that seems to be the case. Amir concludes that

so maybe using digital input you don't risk running into that problem, but you're also fine with analog in as long as the input level is high enough.

I have always used the Topping E30 in "DAC mode" where I read in the manual: "Volume is fixed to 0dB in DAC mode and volume adjusting is invalid in this mode." In addition, in my Windows player (foobar2000 v2.25.6) the volume is set to 0 dB. When I listen to music, I only use the volume control on the Loxjie A30.

Is this configuration okay, or is it always better to use the solution without an external DAC and instead use a digital input on the Loxjie?

 

[RandomEar]

I have always used the Topping E30 in "DAC mode" where I read in the manual: "Volume is fixed to 0dB in DAC mode and volume adjusting is invalid in this mode." In addition, in my Windows player (foobar2000 v2.25.6) the volume is set to 0 dB. When I listen to music, I only use the volume control on the Loxjie A30.

Is this configuration okay, or is it always better to use the solution without an external DAC and instead use a digital input on the Loxjie?

That would definitely be the best case configuration if you want to use analog input. After reading that additional post, I don't think this would be much different from using USB or optical.

But it's free to test it, if you like: Listen to or measure the tweeter noise now at your typical volume level without any music playing. Detach the E30 and attach the A30 directly via USB, then compare the new tweeter noise level to the old one. If it's the same: All good, keep the E30 in the chain. If it's lower: Stay with direct USB/optical into the A30.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

I have always used the Topping E30 in "DAC mode" where I read in the manual: "Volume is fixed to 0dB in DAC mode and volume adjusting is invalid in this mode." In addition, in my Windows player (foobar2000 v2.25.6) the volume is set to 0 dB. When I listen to music, I only use the volume control on the Loxjie A30.

Is this configuration okay, or is it always better to use the solution without an external DAC and instead use a digital input on the Loxjie?

Looking like digital input completely avoids all these, "what ifs," inherent to the analog input.

 

[Kaos13]

Looking like digital input completely avoids all these, "what ifs," inherent to the analog input.

Correct, I’ll try an optical cable!

 

[pieterv1]

Okay, I've done some testing & switching back and forth between my Rotel RB-06 and the Topping, fed directly from a WiiM Ultra's RCA output.

I prefer the Mini 300. Listening to Oliva Dean's "Nice To Each Other", there's more definition in the bass, the acoustic guitar strumming and more air in her voice. Syllables sound clearer and less muffled. Overall imaging is improved. Seems like a great match for the Wharfedales which are often described as a bit on the warmer side.

I'm a bit torn. I got this little amp as an experiment, to try something class D for the first time. I was prepared to return it, but it's totally clicked with me since the moment I first heard it. I'm just not a fan of the external PSU and the fact that the volume control can't be bypassed. And I still can't wrap my head around the fact that a €139 amp could be all I need

Hoping we'll get some more info soon about FiiO's Level 1 class D amp that was teased just 2 days ago.

 

[Jarrett]

Okay, I've done some testing & switching back and forth between my Rotel RB-06 and the Topping, fed directly from a WiiM Ultra's RCA output.

I prefer the Mini 300. Listening to Oliva Dean's "Nice To Each Other", there's more definition in the bass, the acoustic guitar strumming and more air in her voice. Syllables sound clearer and less muffled. Overall imaging is improved. Seems like a great match for the Wharfedales which are often described as a bit on the warmer side.

I'm a bit torn. I got this little amp as an experiment, to try something class D for the first time. I was prepared to return it, but it's totally clicked with me since the moment I first heard it. I'm just not a fan of the external PSU and the fact that the volume control can't be bypassed. And I still can't wrap my head around the fact that a €139 amp could be all I need

Hoping we'll get some more info soon about FiiO's Level 1 class D amp that was teased just 2 days ago.

My exact experience! All these years having not heard a high sinad amp. The sound change was not subtle. TBH, I was hoping the Mini 300 would somehow be better (than my Bryston B60) and it allowed me to run a balanced setup where I used to get audio nasties in combination with the computer.

 

[Chr1]

Seems to me that, providing it has enough power for your needs, the Mini 300 is very hard to beat for the low cost.

 

[renaudrenaud]

Seems to me that, providing it has enough power for your needs, the Mini 300 is very hard to beat for the low cost.

Agree. Bought one for a gift and a second one for me. Especially @85€ in China!

Whas hesitating with the Ampapa but Topping Mini 300 is cheaper, with better measurements at 5W, and don't need the beefier Ampapa.

 

[pieterv1]

After 2 weeks, I decided to return the Mini 300. It was a pleasant surprise, but I'm taking the DIY route and building an NCx252MP based amp with the Ghent Audio enclosure.

Just to have a bit more power on tap, in a larger, but more practical enclosure with built-in PSU. I hope it'll sound at least as good though.

 

[Ktacos]

Grabbed one of these for Mechano23 in nearfield. Definitely sound like a good amp, which is to say sounds like nothing.

Gain seems low on these, I've got my motu m4 feeding it, tried RCA and balanced but maxing out the amp and the motu is not really very loud to me.

I actually ordered two, with the intent of using them for active speakers, but will return one as I can't really afford an appropriate DSP unit. I need a low latency unit with balanced ins and robust control and that's basically just the minidsp flex which is wrecked by tariffs. These amps seems good for that as the self noise is basically non-existent.

I do wish the gain was higher, my aiyima A07 amp seems to have it much higher so I can get more volume out of the amp, but it also scares me because the amp is 'hot' signal wise. It also likes to spark if the leads touch, or touch any part of the chassis.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

...but will return one as I can't really afford an appropriate DSP unit. I need a low latency unit with balanced ins and robust control and that's basically just the minidsp flex which is wrecked by tariffs...

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[staticV3]

Grabbed one of these for Mechano23 in nearfield. Definitely sound like a good amp, which is to say sounds like nothing.

Gain seems low on these, I've got my motu m4 feeding it, tried RCA and balanced but maxing out the amp and the motu is not really very loud to me.

I actually ordered two, with the intent of using them for active speakers, but will return one as I can't really afford an appropriate DSP unit. I need a low latency unit with balanced ins and robust control and that's basically just the minidsp flex which is wrecked by tariffs. These amps seems good for that as the self noise is basically non-existent.

I do wish the gain was higher, my aiyima A07 amp seems to have it much higher so I can get more volume out of the amp, but it also scares me because the amp is 'hot' signal wise. It also likes to spark if the leads touch, or touch any part of the chassis.

Gain is 19dB with TRS and 25dB with RCA.

Accordingly, you will need 2.45V TRS or 1.23V RCA to max out the Amp.

If you're struggling with volume, get a cheap multimeter and double check your output voltage and Amplifier gain.