Topping PA5 II or PA5 Plus?

[Esprit]

A friend of mine wants to try the Topping amplifier, he has a pair of Tannoy Ardens:
is the PA5 II or the PA5 II Plus better?
Alternatives recommended by ASR?
Thank you.

 

[staticV3]

The Plus can play ~10% louder at 4Ω.

No difference with 8Ω speakers or in any other way.

 

[Esprit]

Thanks,
can he use it as a power amplifier with a preamp upstream?

 

[staticV3]

Thanks,
can he use it as a power amplifier with a preamp upstream?

Yes.

 

[Esprit]

Good evening,
What advantage, if there is an advantage, in using RCA -> TRS adapters in order to use the balanced Topping input with a preamp with only RCA outputs?
Thank you

 

[staticV3]

What advantage, if there is an advantage, in using RCA -> TRS adapters in order to use the balanced Topping input with a preamp with only RCA outputs?

With the right cable construction, doing RCA->TRS can get rid of mains hum and other ground loop related noises.

If you don't have any issues with RCA->RCA, then there'd be no advantage.

 

[Esprit]

I can't make a cable.
I found this:

https://www.amazon.it/Adattatore-Keple-connettore-adattatore-convertitore/dp/B07J5B5Y64/ref=pd_ci_mcx_mh_mcx_views_0_title?pd_rd_w=NFilC&content-id=amzn1.sym.57a351cf-ba07-47e8-b302-aa2aa1a3f209%3Aamzn1.symc.ca948091-a64d-450e-86d7-c161ca33337b&pf_rd_p=57a351cf-ba07-47e8-b302-aa2aa1a3f209&pf_rd_r=2GM5YJ0PNX10V5NNZ35P&pd_rd_wg=3zqGE&pd_rd_r=1f665f8f-aa90-41ea-aac3-ba52e9fa5fe1&pd_rd_i=B07J5B5Y64

 

[staticV3]

I can't make a cable.
I found this:

https://www.amazon.it/Adattatore-Keple-connettore-adattatore-convertitore/dp/B07J5B5Y64/ref=pd_ci_mcx_mh_mcx_views_0_title?pd_rd_w=NFilC&content-id=amzn1.sym.57a351cf-ba07-47e8-b302-aa2aa1a3f209%3Aamzn1.symc.ca948091-a64d-450e-86d7-c161ca33337b&pf_rd_p=57a351cf-ba07-47e8-b302-aa2aa1a3f209&pf_rd_r=2GM5YJ0PNX10V5NNZ35P&pd_rd_wg=3zqGE&pd_rd_r=1f665f8f-aa90-41ea-aac3-ba52e9fa5fe1&pd_rd_i=B07J5B5Y64

Using this adapter you'll get sound, but none of the advantages of balanced input.

 

[Esprit]

Not even the higher input impedance?
I don't think I will find an RCA - TRS cable that respects the instructions you posted, much less I am not able to make it nor would I know who to ask to make it for me...

 

[magreen]

The Plus can play ~10% louder at 4Ω.

No difference with 8Ω speakers or in any other way.

Sorry to revive an old thread. But can you point me to any data that the Plus is no better than the regular for 8 ohm speakers? I'm trying to figure out an amp for my 8 Ohm speakers.

 

[staticV3]

can you point me to any data that the Plus is no better than the regular for 8 ohm speakers?

PA5 II /PA5 II Plus - TOPPING AUDIO

www.toppingaudio.com

Go to "Specs"

 

[magreen]

PA5 II /PA5 II Plus - TOPPING AUDIO

www.toppingaudio.com

Go to "Specs"

Thanks, I see that. 65 W x 2 @ 8ohm for both the regular and the Plus version, for THD+N<1%.
Why would that be the case? Not current limited?

 

[antcollinet]

Thanks, I see that. 65 W x 2 @ 8ohm for both the regular and the Plus version, for THD+N<1%.
Why would that be the case? Not current limited?

Voltage limited. You need higher voltage for same power at 8ohm, compared with 4ohm.
Both amps have the same voltage PSU - so can achieve the same max power.