Topping PA5 II Stereo Amplifier Review

[uwotm8]

Kinda OK but for almost $300 I'd rather find used desktop NAD D 3020 (v2) or spend more for a new one.
At least to be sure that it will last years without any problems.
Voted for "not terrible" as far as it does its desktop job but doesn't impress really.

 

[morpheusX]

Now lets wait 6 months to check if this is reliable or not.
I have a PA5 powering a TPL-150H, so far so good, but i'm in constant fear that it breaks sooner or latter.

I hope they have fix it in this new version.

 

[sweetchaos]

I think it’s pretty clear that reliability concerns are on top of everyone’s mind, considering that almost every comment is about it.

At this point, if you purchase this item and it has reliability issues, and you come back to complain about it, we’re just going to say “Have you read any of the comments before buying?”

In other words, you can’t complain that you weren’t warned.

 

[uwotm8]

Btw how 38V 3.2A = 121.6W turned into 70+W both channel driven? Seems like a quantum leap in technology, new era with 120% effectiveness

 

[Matias]

Also known as headroom or tolerance.

 

[uwotm8]

reliability concerns are on top of everyone’s mind

For more than $100-150 which can be considered as a borderline between "ok just for fun, no matter if it fails" and "I want to buy it and use as my main"

 

[Bleib]

Kinda OK but for almost $300 I'd rather find used desktop NAD D 3020 (v2) or spend more for a new one.
At least to be sure that it will last years without any problems.
Voted for "not terrible" as far as it does its desktop job but doesn't impress really.

Desktop? Even with a la90 I can play really loud in the main system..

 

[antcollinet]

There isn't much discussion about the low gain in balanced (19db) and sensitivity of 2.4 volts. Will it go loud enough if used beyond a desktop system? What do owners say?

Since most balanced outputs will go to 4V - well beyond the stated sensitivity is should not be an issue to drive the amp to full power. Whether this is loud enough beyond a desktop system you'll have to work out based on your own needs. In any case it will have nothing to do with gain/sensitivity - but with the actual power limit of the amp.

 

[MCH]

it will have nothing to do with gain

how is that?

 

[antcollinet]

I'm kind of surprised that no one has mentioned reliability concerns.

@amirm literally mentioned it in the actual review.

Conclusions
I am not sure of the motivation for going from PA5 to PA5 II (reliability?)

 

[antcollinet]

how is that?

Because with the stated gain a balanced input at 4V can drive it (well beyond) the point of full power. (2.4V)

 

[MediumRare]

Can it be bridged?

 

[DearSX]

When plugging in a DAC with no volume adjustment (like SMSL SU-1) and using the PA5's volume control affect the sound quality? Or would it have cleaner sound using a DAC with a volume control (like Topping D70)?

 

[antcollinet]

When plugging in a DAC with no volume adjustment (like SMSL SU-1) and using the PA5's volume control affect the sound quality? Or would it have cleaner sound using a DAC with a volume control (like Topping D70)?

I doubt you will hear any difference between the two. If there is any channel imbalance in the PA5 volume pot, then that won't happen with a digital control on DAC, but other than that. Tumbleweed.

 

[DearSX]

I doubt you will hear any difference between the two. If there is any channel imbalance in the PA5 volume pot, then that won't happen with a digital control on DAC, but other than that. Tumbleweed.

Been curious about this for a while! Thanks for the quick response!

 

[antcollinet]

Can it be bridged?

No it can't.

(The chip amp is already bridged internally)

 

[daniboun]

It still amazes me that this company gets the praise it does on this site. I've never seen another example of a company making so many unreliable products and still getting such loyalty from its customers. Hopefully they'll get their act together and actually prove worthy of people's support. To me, this company still seems entirely suspect.

You re absolutely right !
And I add that I see practically no interest in moving from PA5 to PA5 II or PA5 II more ...
We were waiting for Topping on a reliability improvement on the PA5, I have a feeling they just removed the D-01 box and probably put the OP amps on the outside like on the PA7 but without conclusive results...



Looking forward to get some internal pictures now.....

PA5 II

PA5 II PLUS

 

[daniboun]

No it can't.

(The chip amp is already bridged internally)

I dont think so, the only one that is bridged = Topping PA7 (that uses a dual TPA325X chip) checkout
Pretty sure the PA5 plus use the same PCB as the RA3

PA7 Plus :

 

[antcollinet]

I dont think so, the only one that is bridged = Topping PA7 (that uses a dual TPA325X chip) checkout :

View attachment 307455

Happy to be corrected - can it be bridged to mono though?

 

[daniboun]

Happy to be corrected - can it be bridged to mono though?

No
The PA7 only offers a Volume bypass )