Topping Mini 300 Amplifier Review

[fpitas]

For those in the know :

How much does having a volume pot in the signal path actually affect the sound quality of this sort of amplifier?

Ta.

I doubt it affects it measurably. Obviously, Amir's unit was tested that way. Of course, he didn't try half volume etc.

 

[Chr1]

Thanks. This is what I thought. I don't quite understand why people insist that it is better for amplifiers to be without any kind of gain control.

My feeling is that it is a throwback to yester year. Similar to insisting on monoblocks.

ie. There are theoretical advantages, but ones that are usually unnoticeable these days.

 

[fpitas]

Thanks. This is what I thought. I don't quite understand why people insist that it is better for amplifiers to be without any kind of gain control.

I guess it's one more thing to go wrong.

 

[Chr1]

I'm all for some form of gain control myself.

Would vote for clipping indicator LEDs as standard too personally. One per channel. (With the ability to switch them off too preferably.)

Aparently this is easily implemented as it is featured on the chip.

Modern volume pots and LEDs should have good reliability and be relatively cheap to implement nowadays anyway too. My 2c.

 

[fpitas]

I'm all for some form of gain control myself.

Would vote for clipping indicator LEDs as standard too personally. One per channel. (With the ability to switch them off too preferably.)

These types of things should have good reliability and be relatively cheap to implement nowadays too. My 2c.

True, and I agree, but I bet they counted every penny when they designed this.

 

[staticV3]

For those in the know :

How much does having a volume pot in the signal path actually affect the sound quality of this sort of amplifier?

Ta.

Edit:
Here's a vintage Integrated Amp:

 

[ziggurcat]

Most people who own this amp have said that they don't hear a single thing from their Mini300 (which, to me, corresponds with the power on/off graph Amir has shown in this review), but I have seen two people here say that they experience the same thing as I do. It feels like it's out-of-spec to be hearing any pops when powering the amp on/off, which is why I finally got around to asking Topping about it after 8 months of use .

- Yes, it's in both channels. I have tested with only one channel connected at a time, and it is just as audible in either of them. I've also held my ears close to each speaker channel when both are connected, and it's the same level of audibility. I have also made sure that my cables are fully seated on either end, and that the binding posts on the amp as well as the binding posts/jumper plates are tight/secure. I have tried a few different speaker cables as well.

- Monitor Audio Silver 50 (6G)

- I haven't checked that yet, but it's on my to-do list. The Silver 50s aren't particularly sensitive (87dB, so fairly average/below average). I have a pair of speakers that are 89dB sensitive, and 85dB sensitive, so I can connect both of them to see if that changes anything. That won't be for a while, though since it's going to be a little busy in the next 7 days (I'll also be out of town for 3-4 days).

I have posted a recording of this here:

IMG_4952.MOV

drive.google.com

In this video, I am holding my phone pretty close to the speaker to be able to pick up the pops (you may have to turn the volume up, though). You'll also hear some remote button clicking because Topping just added a new feature on the DX5 II to be able set the 12v trigger to sync with the line output rather than power, and I was testing the feature out. For reference, the initial tick when the amp is powered on occurs at the 9 second mark (this happens about 3 seconds after the light on the amp has turned on), and the more audible pop when the amp is powered off occurs at the 12-13 second mark in the linked video. The tick when powered on is not really audible when standing 6+ feet away, but the powered off pop is still quite audible even further away.

To be perfectly clear: it's not the DX5 II causing the pops, it happens with only speakers connected to the amp, and I have sent video documentation to Topping with the amp in view as well as up close to the speakers, all showing that nothing else is connected to the Mini300.

mini300_Pop.MOV

drive.google.com

mini300_Pop2.MOV

drive.google.com

In the video showing the amp, I had to carefully turn the amp off because the clicking of the toggle switch would drown out the actual pop, but in the other video, I'm close enough to the speaker that the toggle switch doesn't drown it out (you sort of hear both the toggle switch and the pop at the same time in that video).

@Dave TR3A in case you miss my edit...

Update to this (I have been preoccupied with family being in town the last few weeks):

This morning I tried a different pair of passive speakers (Polk RTiA1), and it was the same result as shown in the videos. I have let Topping know.

 

[ziggurcat]

Update to this (I have been preoccupied with family being in town the last few weeks):

This morning I tried a different pair of passive speakers (Polk RTiA1), and it was the same result as shown in the videos. I have let Topping know.

Apologies, the edit window has expired, so I am posting a small update since Topping replied this morning:

"We have reported this issue to the testing department, but we have been unable to reproduce it so far. If you find the noise excessive and feel it affects usability, you can send the unit back to China for further inspection."

It's not surprising that the can't reproduce it based on the power on/off graph in this review, and the reports from other owners saying they have no popping noise at all. I'm not sure what to do at this point as I have heard it's pretty complicated to send something back to China (all of the paperwork, and I am certain I have to foot the bill on the shipping). Part of me just wants to order a new one, and compare.

 

[Linear Power]

If anyone was looking for another use of their Mini 300, I bought mine especially to pair with a Fiio IMP XLR-4 speaker to headphone adapter. Now I have a ridiculously powerful headphone amp for around $150 with a dead silent background even on more sensitive headphones but still has plenty of power to drive my HE6's and SJY Carbons. Adds a ton of output impedance though so keep it in mind with headphones who's FR is affected by it.

 

[TNT]

at max the day I got it and haven't touched it since then, works just fine.

Well this is the exact problem - there it sits and build up oxide and what not and starts to distort... analog pots in cheap electronics are basically shit.

I suggest you twist it every week...

//

 

[fenugrec]

Hi, I've tried to search this thread (and the 'net in general) for an answer, but the terms are too ambiguous - I'm wondering how noisy the amp box itself (and its external PSU) are. Not talking about the signal on the speaker leads (so dutifully measured in earlier posts), but sound emitted from the amp housing and powerbrick. I could be more lenient towards the PSU as it can be relocated, but I don't ever want to hear an amp when I have nothing playing back. I'm vexed by the 60hz transformer hum from my current amp.

Very much aware this is not easy to measure quantitatively - need anechoic chamber, measurement mic, test at various loads / orientations etc. But I'd be happy with a subjective assesment from current owners. Thanks !

 

[Bleib]

Hi, I've tried to search this thread (and the 'net in general) for an answer, but the terms are too ambiguous - I'm wondering how noisy the amp box itself (and its external PSU) are. Not talking about the signal on the speaker leads (so dutifully measured in earlier posts), but sound emitted from the amp housing and powerbrick. I could be more lenient towards the PSU as it can be relocated, but I don't ever want to hear an amp when I have nothing playing back. I'm vexed by the 60hz transformer hum from my current amp.

Very much aware this is not easy to measure quantitatively - need anechoic chamber, measurement mic, test at various loads / orientations etc. But I'd be happy with a subjective assesment from current owners. Thanks !

Well, I've only had PA5, PA5 II and TP RA3 and they've all been quiet across the entire hearable frequency range

 

[Dave TR3A]

Hi, I've tried to search this thread (and the 'net in general) for an answer, but the terms are too ambiguous - I'm wondering how noisy the amp box itself (and its external PSU) are. Not talking about the signal on the speaker leads (so dutifully measured in earlier posts), but sound emitted from the amp housing and powerbrick. I could be more lenient towards the PSU as it can be relocated, but I don't ever want to hear an amp when I have nothing playing back. I'm vexed by the 60hz transformer hum from my current amp.

Very much aware this is not easy to measure quantitatively - need anechoic chamber, measurement mic, test at various loads / orientations etc. But I'd be happy with a subjective assesment from current owners. Thanks !

Both of mine are silent. During testing I was able to get them to emit noise but only when I set them to maximum gain and fed them an input signal larger than the recommended input sensitivity.

 

[magreen]

Hi, I've tried to search this thread (and the 'net in general) for an answer, but the terms are too ambiguous - I'm wondering how noisy the amp box itself (and its external PSU) are. Not talking about the signal on the speaker leads (so dutifully measured in earlier posts), but sound emitted from the amp housing and powerbrick. I could be more lenient towards the PSU as it can be relocated, but I don't ever want to hear an amp when I have nothing playing back. I'm vexed by the 60hz transformer hum from my current amp.

Very much aware this is not easy to measure quantitatively - need anechoic chamber, measurement mic, test at various loads / orientations etc. But I'd be happy with a subjective assesment from current owners. Thanks !

I have the PA5 II on my desktop right next to my computer screen. Both the amp and the power supply. Maximum gain. I never hear any sound from it.

 

[fenugrec]

perfect, thanks !

 

[fpitas]

Hi, I've tried to search this thread (and the 'net in general) for an answer, but the terms are too ambiguous - I'm wondering how noisy the amp box itself (and its external PSU) are. Not talking about the signal on the speaker leads (so dutifully measured in earlier posts), but sound emitted from the amp housing and powerbrick. I could be more lenient towards the PSU as it can be relocated, but I don't ever want to hear an amp when I have nothing playing back. I'm vexed by the 60hz transformer hum from my current amp.

Very much aware this is not easy to measure quantitatively - need anechoic chamber, measurement mic, test at various loads / orientations etc. But I'd be happy with a subjective assesment from current owners. Thanks !

Not much but DC reaches the main box. I can't hear anything from either the PSU or amp box in my setup.

 

[Timcognito]

Not much but DC reaches the main box. I can't hear anything from either the PSU or amp box in my setup.

Me too, dead quiet and others talk about heat, but mine is luke warm at 3/4 knob setting. It fills my 3-bay garage shop with plenty of volume with 2-way 8" woofer speakers.

 

[fpitas]

Mine never gets warm, but it's basically idling, since the horns take about 50mW at full cry.

 

[haskellcurrying]

My units run hot, but they are in an enclosed space with an E50 / E50 II sitting on top. Plus they never get turned off.

 

[diotima]

Can this be used with a powered subwoofer like a speedwoofer?