Topping PA5 measurements )

[ModDIY]

what is that 2 pin power plug???

DC voltage from SMPS external.

 

[Klint]

Anyone know If it’s a volume control?

 

[filipduarte]

But Topping is a fetish product here, so it will be adored.

Not mean to be provocative but in its price point, what are the competitors?
I am interested in acquiring a small PA for a pair of passive bookshelves like JBL Stage A130.

 

[Sharpi31]

I’ve ordered one. I like the simplicity of 2x balanced inputs. I will not be getting anywhere near 50W/8ohm with my loudspeakers/room/kids/neighbours combination

 

[morpheusX]

This may be interesting to power a sensitive AMT or CD in an active configuration.
I would like to know if the knob is a Volume or Gain control!

 

[Klint]

My speakers are 98dB,
15" Woofer 8" Midrange 1.2" Dome-tweeter
I have been waiting for this kind of amp.

 

[Astojab]

Anyone know If it’s a volume control?

If you look at the Pictures it says "min" and "max", so I would say its a volume control, since the on off and the input selector are at the other site.

 

[bravomail]

Not mean to be provocative but in its price point, what are the competitors?
I am interested in acquiring a small PA for a pair of passive bookshelves like JBL Stage A130.

hypex nCore and Purifi amps - but u pay more for them.

 

[Sharpi31]

My speakers are 98dB,
15" Woofer 8" Midrange 1.2" Dome-tweeter
I have been waiting for this kind of amp.

Exactly - my speakers are around 94dB. The combination of the measured performance, dual balanced inputs and simple design is very appealing (no OLED display, tone controls, or DAC that I don’t need). Fingers crossed it arrives soon and performs well!

 

[filipduarte]

hypex nCore and Purifi amps - but u pay more for them.

In my case will be considerably more, unfortunately.
I live in Brazil, so let's say I go with a Buckeye 2 channel NC252MP, I will not only pay more but the shipping and taxing will be a nightmare on its own.

 

[hyperknot]

@JohnYang1997 which is the best matching DAC for this? E50 or D10B? The website says both of them are "the best DAC" for this.

 

[Klint]

If you look at the Pictures it says "min" and "max", so I would say its a volume control, since the on off and the input selector are at the other site.

Thanks. With the E50, what does one do when both have volume control. ?

 

[bravomail]

Thanks. With the E50, what does one do when both have volume control. ?

E50 has a remote - I'd use that. So first set E50 to max volume, and set ur PA5 to maximum listenable volume, which will be below its max volume, hopefully. Then control volume via E50. That will minimize hiss (if any) and won't give u sudden very loud pops, when E50 will feed max signal to PA5.

 

[Michal]

It's a pity the PA5 can't work in bridge mode

 

[tmtomh]

Oh come on! 1% and 10% THD figures? Hilarious. You cannot be serious.

There's like a thousand amplifier designers and engineers turning in their collective graves.

Rate you gear properly or not at all.

I agree with you that 10% and 1% THD figures are not relevant to me, and I would also say not a good or proper measure for hi-fi performance.

However, so-called chip amps regularly provide output specs at 1% and 10% THD - and many "legitimate" amps and receivers that are not Class D (let alone not chip amps) provide power output at 1% THD.

So are those THD level ratings dumb for most of us here at ASR? Yes. Are they dumb for true hi-fi performance? Yes. Are they out of line with the market segment this amp is in? Absolutely not. Are they deceptive? No. Is Topping providing those THD level output numbers without additional measurements and context showing what THD is at more typical output levels? No.

 

[tmtomh]

Excuse my ignorance and bad English.

Your opinion

Could this amplifier replace an old nad c 320 bee (at least from the specifications)?


For power and especially in quality

I wouldn't want to make it worse

Thank you very much

Before we jump to @restorer-john 's premature "No," we should ask what your application is. In other words, why are you looking to replace your NAD amp, and what components do you have connected to it?

 

[restorer-john]

Not mean to be provocative but in its price point, what are the competitors?
I am interested in acquiring a small PA for a pair of passive bookshelves like JBL Stage A130.

A real amplifier:

Here are the benefits:
Cheaper
Contains a respectable D/A converter
Similar power in real terms
Inbuilt phono stage
6 inputs
Tone controls, bass, treble and direct switch
Absolutely perfect channel balance through the entire volume range.
Motorized remote control volume, sources and muting/power.
Two individually switchable sets of speakers (A, B, A+B).
Extremely reliable and cool running amplifier topology.
Retains a good resale value.

 

[daniboun]

hypex nCore and Purifi amps - but u pay more for them.

The Hypex NC122MP is in the same range of price..... but does not perform better.

The PA5 is now in the 4th place of the Sinad list.

Amplifier SINAD list ASR + 3rd parties

List Name,THD+N (5W, 4 ohms),SINAD (dB) (5W, 4 ohms),Power (W) (1% THD+N, 4 ohms),Price (USD),Source Topping LA90 (stereo, bypass, low gain),0.00009%,121,90,800,<a href="https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/topping-la90/">L7 Audio Lab</a>,Suggestions, corrections and more info here: Topping LA90 Discre...

docs.google.com

But, we should wait the ASR review. I wish it could use some Infineon chip ! fingers X )
I personally prefer the "sound signature" of the Infineon chips over the TPA325X.

 

[ModDIY]

A real amplifier:
View attachment 167656


Here are the benefits:
Cheaper
Contains a respectable D/A converter
Similar power in real terms
Inbuilt phono stage
6 inputs
Tone controls, bass, treble and direct switch
Absolutely perfect channel balance through the entire volume range.
Motorized remote control volume, sources and muting/power.
Two individually switchable sets of speakers (A, B, A+B).
Extremely reliable and cool running amplifier topology.
Retains a good resale value.

Yes, but it takes up more space on a desk.

 

[restorer-john]

Yes, but it takes up more space on a desk.

Get a bigger desk.