Topping PA5 II, don't buy

[davirix]

Hi all,

Just to let you know that I bought a Topping PA5 II, based on Amir's review, and thinking that the well known issues affecting the first model had been sorted out. However, after less thank a year, one channel died completely.

Aoshida, where I bought it, did not reply to my emails, very disappointing.

I contacted Topping and they were kind enough to send a replacement unit for just USD 20.

They told me this model has been discontinued, but it's still selling on Aoshida for USD 200, 50 less of what I paid one year ago.

I deduct the product has still reliability issues and I would recommend not to buy it.

@Amir, considering the many reports of failure, of both mk I and II, I think you should put a stronger disclaimer in your review, and ideally remove it from the histogram chart. I'm afraid many may be tempted to buy such cheap and performing amp, just to get a short lived lemon.

Thanks,

Best

 

[JSmith]

Topping PA5

Yes there were many failures.

Topping PA5 II

There have not been mass reports of failures, just a few here and there which isn't unusual. I'm glad to hear you got a replacement.


JSmith

 

[respice finem]

In the interest of audio science, it would be interesting (IMHO) to analyze the failures together with the manufacturer, if possible.

 

[AcousticTheory]

This is an aspect of low cost gear that may not be factored into everyone's purchase decision; low-cost gear is not necessarily unreliable, but warranty periods and guarantee periods are not long, and the manufacturer is not exactly a phone call away. Everyone has to take a calculated risk. Penalizing the manufacturer by removing the product from the ranking chart is an overreaction, imo.

Then there's someone like me who's assembling his own amps, and when something does go wrong, the warranty department is me.

 

[DVDdoug]

This is an aspect of low cost gear that may not be factored into everyone's purchase decision;

I usually buy "economical" stuff (but I don't buy from eBay, AliExpress, or unknown 3rd-party Amazon suppliers).

It's almost never worth repairing cheap stuff, but it's super depressing if you pay a high price for something and it fails and is not worth repairing, or if you can buy a similar less-expensive replacement for less than repairing the expensive item.

If something inexpensive fails after a couple of years it's usually not so bad financially or emotionally.

Of course, it you are an audio pro you don't want down time or a failure during a performance or broadcast, etc., so it's worth sticking to reliable brands.

In the interest of audio science, it would be interesting (IMHO) to analyze the failures together with the manufacturer, if possible.

As far as I know, manufacturer's never reveal that information. And if it's out of warranty they may not know if there was a failure because owners trash it or have it repaired by an unassociated party.

And since most electronic products are updated every year or so, it's no longer available by the time the statistics are collected.

A few things like the famous Shure SM57 & SM58 microphones have been around for decades and they have a reputation of "lasting forever" even when occasionally abused!

And if an item is popular you are more likely to read about problems. More people have the item so there ARE more more problems and more people who post their bad experience on the Internet. It's sort-of like stolen cars. Hondas and Toyotas are the most commonly stolen cars because everybody has one! (At least that was the case before the easy-to-steal Kia fiasco...)

 

[Ahmonge]

They told me this model has been discontinued

Still listed on Topping's page:

PA5 II /PA5 II Plus - TOPPING AUDIO

www.toppingaudio.com

 

[Marc v E]

If you're looking for a good price/performance amp a hypex class d based one might be an idea. IOM ncore, audiophonics. Yamaha is also highly praised here.

I it were me though, I would ditch the idea of chasing highest sinad and start experimenting with rew, subwoofers and avr's.

 

[Solveit]

I have two PA5 II just running fine.
Not to compare with PA5 who had mass failure.

 

[Falconer]

I have two PA5 II just running fine.
Not to compare with PA5 who had mass failure.

I have two of them running every day, and they work flawlessly. I’d be very disappointed if one of them failed.

 

[perceptionist]

PA5 III will be launched as Mini 300 soon.

 

[Paco De Lucia]

I have had two PA5 II since they came out and have abused them running large tower speakers bigger and heavier than I am. No problems, I think they sorted out the reliability in the version II. Bring it to the levels expected from fairly reasonably priced gear. When i thrash them they get a bit warm, but considering the speakers they are driving, good job i reckon

 

[audiotron]

My 2 PA5 II are 2 years old and have been running for 12 hours a day just fine. I just wish they had more power.

 

[Jarrett]

Ooo discontinued. So a replacement is coming? They haven't made it clear if that's the Mini 300

 

[Ahmonge]

Ooo discontinued. So a replacement is coming? They haven't made it clear if that's the Mini 300

PA5 II is still present on Topping's website.

 

[egellings]

This is an aspect of low cost gear that may not be factored into everyone's purchase decision; low-cost gear is not necessarily unreliable, but warranty periods and guarantee periods are not long, and the manufacturer is not exactly a phone call away. Everyone has to take a calculated risk. Penalizing the manufacturer by removing the product from the ranking chart is an overreaction, imo.

Then there's someone like me who's assembling his own amps, and when something does go wrong, the warranty department is me.

Same for me. If one of my home-brewed tube amps takes a hot & steamy one on me, I just dump it upside down, fix it, flip it right side up, & listen again.