Topping PA5 II Stereo Amplifier Review

[daniboun]

??? That isn't even the same amp.... You're comparing a non-PFFB amp with a horrible DSP (and therefore AD-DA step) to a traditional analog amp with PFFB. Could not be more apples to oranges. Also, cite sources on the 3e products being less reliable than the JLe?

Not to mention the 3e 3255 PFFB board I linked (which is actually a comparable product to the JLe) absolutely demolishes that JLE in every single possible metric.

My bad for the link ) ok you were talking about the 3E module

Yes they are comparable I agree both are well made (own both)

Can you share measurements link for the 3E audio modules with PFFB ? The one I got needs a modification to activate it....

 

[daniboun]

Not according to Amir's PA5 review 38V/4A: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-pa5-review-amplifier.28512/

Just corrected thx

 

[amirm]

Thank you for another great review @amirm.
Would it be possible for you to perform a curiosity-kill-the-cat test on the incoming DC from the its AC/DC Adaptor?
Sounds simple to request 2 simple frequency-response sweeps for noise: One under dummy-load and another powering the unit.
You know why I ask.

I am not understanding your request. DC plug is captive so not easy to measure without opening the box.

 

[Billy Budapest]

So it's presumably the same as the RA3 but in a less ridiculous case. Why anyone would buy the RA3 is beyond me now that this exists.

Some people might want the RA3’s display and/or the larger casework and/or the built in power supply.

 

[paulgyro]

So it's presumably the same as the RA3 but in a less ridiculous case. Why anyone would buy the RA3 is beyond me now that this exists.



TPA-32xx amps can be bridged again (PBTL). The modification isn't difficult at all:

Shui Yuan Audio TPA3255 Modification Thread

experience: If you listened with an op amp, you can hear it in good stereo stage with the speakers line. If I listen without an op amp — with an impedance- adapter — the music detaches from the speakers in advance, and the stage image is dizzying. Experience: It is important to have a...

www.diyaudio.com

But at that point, you should just buy the 3e Audio Module which is miles higher performing in every single way, and far cheaper.


And if you have the slightest DIY-ability the aforementioned 3e does 220w@4ohm (knee), and -103 THD+N @5w 4R, for a whopping $109 + $30 case + $40 PSU. Hugely better implementation of the TPA-32xx than topping.

Which of there modules are you talking about? Many look to be out of stock.

 

[ocinn]

Which of there modules are you talking about? Many look to be out of stock.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804597954883.html

93 pieces in stock. After the case, PSU, and connectors, you could build a 103 SINAD, 220w@4R amp for under $200, in an afternoon.

 

[restorer-john]

@amirm What happened to the channel balance test? This is an analog pot so tracking is rather important, especially at the low end where most listening is done.

 

[pseudoid]

I am not understanding your request. DC plug is captive so not easy to measure without opening the box.

Topping PA5-II's 38Vdc input appear use the GX-16 family of ['aviation' style) connectors.
I happen to have a very clean 4Amp 48V(+15%) LPS with GX-16s.
TPA3255 data sheets use 51Vdc for all their testing specs/results.

I would consider trying this supply, if worth a swap... depending on the requested results.
aliexpress shows the current "sale" price at ~$230 (w/shipping).

 

[ta240]

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.

Ironically, one would think in a connected world that would be their downfall as a company but instead a connected world often means a hyped world.
But when you can have inaudibly 'better' output then who needs decades worth of use?

 

[Billy Budapest]

Incredible specs, now let me dream for 150 Wpc 4R with no reliability issues and about 20% more price.

PA5 II Plus gets you to 140 wpc at 4 ohms (albeit at <10% distortion figure) for $70 more. So, getting closer to your dream.

 

[DMan2323]

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.

Astrofly (& any others),
I'd sincerely appreciate a brief synopsis of Toppings troubles over the last 5 years or since their D50 DAC came out which I bought and use in one of my listening rooms. I'm not setting any verbal trap for responders whatsoever. Since reading herein about their products, seeing the convenience of Amazon purchasable products, I've been happy with (only owned Topping item) D50 and it's price/performance ROI . Of note, I own various McIntosh, Parasound, OPPO, Pro-Ject, products in three spaces including my office so I'm definitely interested in their critical history overall. I was going to look at the newer 70 series stuff. But wanted to see if indeed, they've taken a customer service and/or reliability step-back over last several years. Note, I've read this evening that similar competitors offer better support, updates, reliability?

Again, simply checking in and up on the brand. Appreciated.

 

[Billy Budapest]

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.

I think the number of unreliable Topping products is pretty low, but internet users’ grievances are broadcast loudly. There are 3 models that had reliability issues either due to design shortcomings or manufacturing issues. As far as other scattered issues, they are no different than any other modern manufacturer. I think NAD, for example, has a much worse scorecard.

Here is an example—I had a brand new Nespresso Vertuo Next that completely died after a few weeks of use. Wouldn’t even turn on. The company sent me a replacement. That one died a few DAYS after I received it. Same problem—couldn’t even get it to turn on. Nespresso told me “our policy is that if two Nespresso Vertuo Next machines have failed, then we will ship you a Nespresso Vertuo Plus machine”—which is a more expensive model. They shipped me that machine and it has worked well so far.

Anyway, even coffee makers have gotten so complicated that their electronics can fail spectacularly and repeatedly, even if they are manufactured by huge multinational corporations like Nestle.

 

[SDC]

Take a guess which side is pa5 and which is pa5iiplus

 

[ta240]

I think the number of unreliable Topping products is pretty low, but internet users’ grievances are broadcast loudly. There are 3 models that had reliability issues either due to design shortcomings or manufacturing issues. As far as other scattered issues, they are no different than any other modern manufacturer. I think NAD, for example, has a much worse scorecard.

Here is an example—I had a brand new Nespresso Vertuo Next that completely died after a few weeks of use. Wouldn’t even turn on. The company sent me a replacement. That one died a few DAYS after I received it. Same problem—couldn’t even get it to turn on. Nespresso told me “our policy is that if two Nespresso Vertuo Next machines have failed, then we will ship you a Nespresso Vertuo Plus machine”—which is a more expensive model. They shipped me that machine and it has worked well so far.

Anyway, even coffee makers have gotten so complicated that their electronics can fail spectacularly and repeatedly, even if they are manufactured by huge multinational corporations like Nestle.

I've personally had two topping DACs die on me. One at about 6 months and the other around a year. The non-topping replacements have worked for years. If internet grievances are broadcast loudly wouldn't that be the same for all manufactures?

Now, just imagine how much cheaper Nespresso could sell their machines for if they had told you "Just pay to ship it back to the factory in China and we will repair or replace it for you". People might be saying "Can you believe you can get a coffee machine that will do that for so cheap?"
I'm guessing a lot of these products end up in the trash and people move on because we've grown accustomed to short lives out of inexpensive products and I can't imagine what the shipping charges to their factory would be.

 

[Astrofly]

Astrofly (& any others),
I'd sincerely appreciate a brief synopsis of Toppings troubles over the last 5 years or since their D50 DAC came out which I bought and use in one of my listening rooms. I'm not setting any verbal trap for responders whatsoever. Since reading herein about their products, seeing the convenience of Amazon purchasable products, I've been happy with (only owned Topping item) D50 and it's price/performance ROI . Of note, I own various McIntosh, Parasound, OPPO, Pro-Ject, products in three spaces including my office so I'm definitely interested in their critical history overall. I was going to look at the newer 70 series stuff. But wanted to see if indeed, they've taken a customer service and/or reliability step-back over last several years. Note, I've read this evening that similar competitors offer better support, updates, reliability?

Again, simply checking in and up on the brand. Appreciated.

Others who have purchased these products and had to go through the issues of the product dying on them can provide more details. I'm going off what I've read reported here and some other audio sites.

I've read issues with PA5, LA90D, A90, E30, and A30Pro. Typically users report a popping or crackling noise before the unit dies. Read one about the unit smoking. Read an account about the poor internal quality (poor soldering, etc.) of one. Have read many accounts about the difficulty in getting in touch with Topping. Apparently to get them fixed you have to mail them to China. Have read several accounts of users getting multiple units that failed. Apparently even though Topping admitted the design flaw in the PA5, they did not recall the unit and kept selling it for a period of time afterwards before discontinuing it. Basically the company seems like a mess. They put out unreliable products, and then they offer poor customer support when it happens.

I think the biggest thing that perplexes
me after these things have been reported is that people still buy them. If nothing else, aren't people worried about the safety issues of a piece of failing electronics? That can have serious consequences. I suppose if you have the technical acumen to take the product apart and repair it yourself, then this may not be a big concern, but how many of you on here can really do so? If you can, are you? Do you really want to have to do so? Isn't it reasonable to expect a safe and reliable product?

 

[bboris77]

@amirm What happened to the channel balance test? This is an analog pot so tracking is rather important, especially at the low end where most listening is done.

This is a very legitimate question regardless of whether the channel balance test has not generally been performed on stereo amplifiers. In my opinion, a review of any device with an analog volume pot should include this test.

 

[Astrofly]

I think the number of unreliable Topping products is pretty low, but internet users’ grievances are broadcast loudly. There are 3 models that had reliability issues either due to design shortcomings or manufacturing issues. As far as other scattered issues, they are no different than any other modern manufacturer. I think NAD, for example, has a much worse scorecard.

Here is an example—I had a brand new Nespresso Vertuo Next that completely died after a few weeks of use. Wouldn’t even turn on. The company sent me a replacement. That one died a few DAYS after I received it. Same problem—couldn’t even get it to turn on. Nespresso told me “our policy is that if two Nespresso Vertuo Next machines have failed, then we will ship you a Nespresso Vertuo Plus machine”—which is a more expensive model. They shipped me that machine and it has worked well so far.

Anyway, even coffee makers have gotten so complicated that their electronics can fail spectacularly and repeatedly, even if they are manufactured by huge multinational corporations like Nestle.

NAD has acquired a poor rep over the years for their issues to the point people joke and say "NAD" stands for "Not Always Dependable". Apparently they were good at one point, and then they got sold several times over. Reading that info didn't make me want to buy NAD gear. So yeah, maybe Topping is like NAD.

What kills me is that Topping gets reported as Not Always Dependable, and yet the good reviews keep coming, and people keep saying, "Looks great!" (or the equivalent). It used to be that you'd report a bad actor business who was doing a disservice to consumers with their poorly made products, and that would either put pressure on them to change and improve, or they'd go out of business.

 

[Astrofly]

Ironically, one would think in a connected world that would be their downfall as a company but instead a connected world often means a hyped world.
But when you can have inaudibly 'better' output then who needs decades worth of use?
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Nice 2001 reference.

 

[sarieri]

I had two LA90D dead within one months. Their customer service is okay if you are in China but if you locate outside of China, Good Luck with that. I carried those two amps back to China and had them during the summer. Haven't noticed any problems since that. Those two amps weight 20KG, so if you want to have them shipped to China, the shipping cost will be crazy.

 

[Doodski]

I carried those two amps back to China and had them during the summer.

You GO! LoL...