Topping Mini 300 Amplifier Review

[gasolin75]

The balanced in on the topping should sound better than the se,rca input, as should the digital in on the loxjie amp compared to the analog se,rca input

Comparison since this am,these amps do sound better not using the normal se, rca input

Since i wanna try it, i wanted to have some inputs before i do it

 

[Angst92]

XLR will be more resilient to mains hum and EMI.

Besides that, why would there be a difference in sound quality?

Both inputs feed the same Amplifier chip, the RCA input only goes through an FDA first. No these do not affect sound quality.

Sorry if I've misunderstood, but a balanced cable wouldn't have any impact on mains hum would it? Unless you were running the cables directly alongside each other at which point just separating them by a few inches would fix it.

 

[staticV3]

Sorry if I've misunderstood, but a balanced cable wouldn't have any impact on mains hum would it? Unless you were running the cables directly alongside each other at which point just separating them by a few inches would fix it.

Balanced audio separates the audio signal from Ground, making ground loop induced mains hum less likely.

 

[stuartkohl]

Balanced connections also have better common-mode rejection if the input of the amp acts as a differential amplifier. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differential_amplifier

 

[Angst92]

Probably showing my ignorance again but it the noise is introduced to the signal before it is inverted and sent over the cable then the differential at the remote end wouldn't remove it right?

 

[tccalvin]

Probably showing my ignorance again but it the noise is introduced to the signal before it is inverted and sent over the cable then the differential at the remote end wouldn't remove it right?

If it is ground-related noise, then a balanced cable will fix it.

 

[stuartkohl]

Probably showing my ignorance again but it the noise is introduced to the signal before it is inverted and sent over the cable then the differential at the remote end wouldn't remove it right?

Correct. It has to be introduced equally to the + and - of the balanced connection and is then canceled at the diff input of the amp. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differential_amplifier

 

[somebodyelse]

If it is ground-related noise, then a balanced cable will fix it.

'Should' rather than 'will' - unfortunately they aren't always implemented properly, despite AES48 being many years old now, so 'pin 1 problems' still exist.

 

[gasolin75]

Any compared it to the fosiaudi V3 just like 10 euros cheaper than the mini 300 or the fosi audio ZA3 that is more expensive or the super inexpensive (no powern supply 100 euros total + shipping shouldn be impossible) Aiyima A07MAX for 70 euros

 

[stuartkohl]

You can compare them yourself:

Fosi Audio V3 Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Fosi Audio V3 stereo amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $89.99 with stock 32 volt supply. Price goes up to $109.99 with the 48 volt supply. There is a $10 discount coupon right now. Despite its budget price, the V3...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Fosi Audio ZA3 Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Fosi Audio ZA3 stereo amplifier with balanced XLR inputs. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $149.99 with 48 volt power supply. The amplifier has really dressed up from its earlier origins of common enclosures in budget class...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Aiyima A07 Max Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Aiyima A07 Max stereo class D amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and sells for (I think) $85 with the included power supply: I like the little design touches and the much heavier enclosure (made out of steel?). I really appreciate the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Personally, I think the Topping Mini 300 is superior to these others, but it's your money and you have to make your own choice. I chose the Topping amp, for whatever that's worth.

I'm not sure if there would or could be an audible difference between the 4, and I don't have these others to listen to. I strongly suspect that I wouldn't hear a difference, but the Topping amp measures well and seems to be built pretty well too. I'm happy with mine.

I did compare it in a sighted, informal test with the Schiit Gjallarhorns. I thought I heard a difference at first, but after a couple of swaps the differences vanished. I suppose that with less sensitive speakers or at higher volume levels the Topping might win since it makes more power.

In the past I have done level-matched ABX tests with a number of different amplifiers and perceived (sighted) differences went away. I don't see any reason why that wouldn't be true now.

I do wish I still had the Hafler DH-220 that I built from a kit when I was (much) younger, but that's just nostalgia. There are certainly a wide variety of good amplifiers on the market now and the reviews on this site are great for choosing which you want to buy. (Or for pointing out that what you currently have is more than sufficient.)

 

[tb2025]

Topping recently replaced my unit because of random sound quality fluctuations. They also swapped the power supply for a different brand (see Pic 2)—same brand but a different model compared to the one Amir tested. I just realized that for the exact same amplifier, Topping has mixed and matched three different brands/models of power supplies! I am absolutely blown away by this. My original power supply was the one in Pic 1. Did anyone else get the Pic 1 power supply?

 

[Jarrett]

Topping recently replaced my unit because of random sound quality fluctuations. They also swapped the power supply for a different brand (see Pic 2)—same brand but a different model compared to the one Amir tested. I just realized that for the exact same amplifier, Topping has mixed and matched three different brands/models of power supplies! I am absolutely blown away by this. My original power supply was the one in Pic 1. Did anyone else get the Pic 1 power supply?

I have one like in your second pic (bottom)

 

[tb2025]

I have one like in your second pic (bottom)

There is a slight difference in the rated power compared to Amir's unit, but they should actually be the same model. The main difference from the one in Pic 1 is that the JYH power supply has more complete safety certifications. It runs cool and features a thicker cable with a shielding ferrite ring. So, it should be better than the one in Pic 1. At least the sound quality isn't fluctuating anymore.

 

[tb2025]

Topping recently replaced my unit because of random sound quality fluctuations. They also swapped the power supply for a different brand (see Pic 2)—same brand but a different model compared to the one Amir tested. I just realized that for the exact same amplifier, Topping has mixed and matched three different brands/models of power supplies! I am absolutely blown away by this. My original power supply was the one in Pic 1. Did anyone else get the Pic 1 power supply?View attachment 549854View attachment 549857

I suspect I received a revised version of the Mini 300, and Topping might have upgraded the cooling design. I noticed a slight increase in weight, and it runs barely warm now, whereas the previous unit got quite hot to the touch. Also, looking through the side vents, I can clearly see the inductor model is Codaca CPD1495-6R8 2552, whereas it was completely invisible on my previous unit.

 

[Jarrett]

I ordered mine in January not long after the review here. I had a quick look tonight for those internals and found the same COD...CDP...149...25 (don't have a pic). Never had troubles with mine, so hopefully what they sent you is good.

 

[tb2025]

I ordered mine in January 2026 not long after the review here. I had a quick look tonight for those internals and found the same COD...CDP...149...25 (don't have a pic). Never had troubles with mine, so hopefully what they sent you is good.

I bought mine in January as well. I suspect Topping might be allocating different power supplies based on regions. It seems clear now that the issue was the poor quality of the power supply I received back in January, rather than the amplifier itself. This amp has extremely high transparency, making the quality of the power supply crucial. As SylphAudio also pointed out, swapping different power supplies with this type of amplifier can lead to different subjectively perceived sound, mainly reflected in the high frequencies. I received the replacement unit yesterday, and I'm glad to report that everything has been flawless so far.

 

[stuartkohl]

I bought mine in January as well. I suspect Topping might be allocating different power supplies based on regions. It seems clear now that the issue was the poor quality of the power supply I received back in January, rather than the amplifier itself. This amp has extremely high transparency, making the quality of the power supply crucial. As SylphAudio also pointed out, swapping different power supplies with this type of amplifier can lead to different subjectively perceived sound, mainly reflected in the high frequencies. I received the replacement unit yesterday, and I'm glad to report that everything has been flawless so far.

It's also possible that this is simply the way things are done in Shenzhen. I've talked to some people who have worked with mini PC suppliers from there and it's common practice to buy commodity parts like power supplies from whoever has stock that week, or whoever offers you the best price.

I've also watched videos on Huaqiangbei and it's like nothing I've ever experienced in the US. It's like something out of a William Gibson novel, but cleaner.

https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_CA/inspiration/shopping/shenzhen-guide-huaqiangbei-electronics-market.html

In other words, you had a bad power supply that happened to be made by one manufacturer. By the time Topping replaced it, they were using another supplier. It doesn't say that one supplier was bad and another good, just that you got a bad power supply.

 

[tb2025]

It's also possible that this is simply the way things are done in Shenzhen. I've talked to some people who have worked with mini PC suppliers from there and it's common practice to buy commodity parts like power supplies from whoever has stock that week, or whoever offers you the best price.

I've also watched videos on Huaqiangbei and it's like nothing I've ever experienced in the US. It's like something out of a William Gibson novel, but cleaner.

https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_CA/inspiration/shopping/shenzhen-guide-huaqiangbei-electronics-market.html

In other words, you had a bad power supply that happened to be made by one manufacturer. By the time Topping replaced it, they were using another supplier. It doesn't say that one supplier was bad and another good, just that you got a bad power supply.

Yes, I'm in China and have stayed in both Huaqiangbei and Guangzhou. Topping definitely uses more than one power supply supplier. The one they sent to Amir was a JYH power supply, but the one I received is the one in Figure 1. Clearly, JYH has higher standards. Therefore, I speculate that they send better power supplies to countries with strict safety standards. As for the unit I sent back to Topping, their customer service claimed that it tested fine, but I suspect they probably found some issues but just didn't tell me.

 

[whazzup]

Therefore, I speculate that they send better power supplies to countries with strict safety standards.

Don't think that's true. I have the same adapter. My mini300 was purchased and delivered locally in China before a friend bought it back.

 

[tb2025]

Don't think that's true. I have the same adapter. My mini300 was purchased and delivered locally in China before a friend bought it back.

Did you receive the JYH one? Then you must have bought it recently. I asked some Chinese friends, and one of them mentioned they also got the JYH with their purchase in May. Topping might have stopped using the Kailiyuan power supply.