Agreed.
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Topping PA5 Review (Amplifier)
- Thread starter amirm
- Start date
Okay so I bought the PA5 without doing my research. For some reason I thought it had both balanced and unbalanced inputs. Now I have a PA5 that I can't use. So I'm looking for recommendations for either a preamp (I have a DAC) or a DAC. I need a volume control with a remote. Any ideas would be appreciated? I'd hate to return it given all of the great feedback here. I also don't want to spend a fortune.
You can do three things:
1) Cheap option: You can use a simple RCA to TS cable but the amp will be operating in half power. If you think it is enough volume for you, this is fine. Example: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PPMXV28/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
2) A little more expensive option: You can try to find anything that converts SE (RCA) to balanced (TRS or XLR). I found this on AliExpress: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32835103473.html?spm=a2g0o.9042311.0.0.231f4c4d2dPZdH
3) Most optimal but expensive: Buy a balanced source (example, the E50 DAC).
Okay so I bought the PA5 without doing my research. For some reason I thought it had both balanced and unbalanced inputs. Now I have a PA5 that I can't use. So I'm looking for recommendations for either a preamp (I have a DAC) or a DAC. I need a volume control with a remote. Any ideas would be appreciated? I'd hate to return it given all of the great feedback here. I also don't want to spend a fortune. I have a practically new D10 Balanced I will sell you, if you're interested.
My PA5 just arrived yesterday, and I'm using TRS to RCA gender to use with my Khadas Tone 2 Pro.
It's definitely an upgrade when compared to my old SMSL SA300. I loved it, but there are some issues that I would like to ask PA5 owners in this thread.
When you increase the volume knob from left to right I found that there are some knob positions that actually kill the sounds. Suddenly, the volume just dropped too much. It's almost muted on those knob positions. Also, at some knob positions, the left and right speakers produce sounds unevenly. Although the positions and settings do matter, this is noticeably apparent. Lastly, at max volume, the sound was just muted.
Is this only my AMP problem or probably TRS to RCA gender problem?
It would be very helpful to know what the real issue is since I have to return and get a new amp by waiting for almost 2 weeks if this is my amp problem.
It's definitely an upgrade when compared to my old SMSL SA300. I loved it, but there are some issues that I would like to ask PA5 owners in this thread.
When you increase the volume knob from left to right I found that there are some knob positions that actually kill the sounds. Suddenly, the volume just dropped too much. It's almost muted on those knob positions. Also, at some knob positions, the left and right speakers produce sounds unevenly. Although the positions and settings do matter, this is noticeably apparent. Lastly, at max volume, the sound was just muted.
Is this only my AMP problem or probably TRS to RCA gender problem?
It would be very helpful to know what the real issue is since I have to return and get a new amp by waiting for almost 2 weeks if this is my amp problem.
Do you mean some random positions on the volume pot are just dead silent? That looks like a bad solder joint for me
I do agree with you, but I'm a little cautious. I read a thread saying that TS-RCA gender will affect the gain of amp.Do you mean some random positions on the volume pot are just dead silent? That looks like a bad solder joint for me
My second approach is to buy TS-RCA gender and retry it. I really hope this will fix the problem cuz I do love this amp.
I will try that and report it again
May be you have RCA to stereo cable, therefore it doesn't work.
You need RCA to mono instead.
tvrgeek
Major Contributor
Marketing BS. Matching because you want the stack to be pretty, OK. There is no magic compatibility within a line other than to get you to pay more. Match the features and performance.
there are RCA to mono TRS plugs available anywhere - you will need two.
something like these:
They worked really well for me.
As for "lost 4V input signal" - don't worry. PA5 will clip at 2.6V - its rated input sensitivity. So with 2V RCA to TRS you are actually safer.
I am not saying you must “match” components, I agree that “matching” is BS.
But, when the manufacturer (Topping) designed the PA5 obviously they made the necessary effort for it’s input to expect the recommended E50 DAC TRS output.
So, if you want to be “safe” (aka, without going deep into specs to unsure signal compatibility), the E50 is a safe bet.
Obviously any balanced DAC that can output 4Vrms like the E50 also suffices.
I took a look at the khadas page and found that the Tone2 Pro's RCA output was complicated.
Even if you take measures, the result may be different from usual...
Balanced RCA | Khadas
Design and deliver futuristic mini Hi-Fi DACs with balanced audio, made possible with Khadas' diminutive balanced RCA connectors.
www.khadas.com
tvrgeek
Major Contributor
I doubt your assumption. I would suspect they make effort to be widely compatible. That is why we have standards as lose as they are.
Matching is marketing. Choice of case is a tease to get you to move upline with all boxes even if you need one. Good business, but nothing to do with compatibility or sound. One can expect all consumer products to be compatible. At least for the last 50 years.
tvrgeek
Major Contributor
Gain is a amplifier design choice. Not transport layer or connector.I took a look at the khadas page and found that the Tone2 Pro's RCA output was complicated.
Even if you take measures, the result may be different from usual...
View attachment 176960Balanced RCA | Khadas
Design and deliver futuristic mini Hi-Fi DACs with balanced audio, made possible with Khadas' diminutive balanced RCA connectors.
That weird thing above is NOT RCA. It is a custom balanced jack proprietary to them. A pair of XLR's would not fit their form factor, so they made some unique stuff. I gather their trick is just like an XLR, you can ground half and feed a balanced input with one side so you canuse the same physical input for either balanced or SE. OK. So what. I winder what they sell their proprietary cables for?
Using a 3.5mm output instead of the Tone2 Pro's unusual RCA output will help identify the cause.
Using something like this.
Thanks for this. I ordered a pair of RCA to TS adapters. Wow. I was really surprised how great my LS50 Meta sound with these. What really surprised me was how much the sound enveloped me. It added depth and width. I was expecting better dynamics but didn't expect the spatial improvement. I do think I need to gain back the extra power by going single ended. I don't listen to music loud, but I have the volume set fairly high. I might get (or build) a single ended to balanced converter (there's are good threads on AR on this).
An additional question, so how do people use a sub with this amp? Just use the speaker level inputs on the subwoofer. I would prefer the line level route but that means I need a preamp that has a subwoofer line level output. I haven't seen any balanced output preamps with a subwoofer line level output that are anywhere close to my budget.
Seems like they have their labels wrong. 3 and 4 can't be balanced as they look like RCA.I took a look at the khadas page and found that the Tone2 Pro's RCA output was complicated.
Even if you take measures, the result may be different from usual...
View attachment 176960Balanced RCA | Khadas
Design and deliver futuristic mini Hi-Fi DACs with balanced audio, made possible with Khadas' diminutive balanced RCA connectors.
I just got the RCA to TRS mono plugs and tried it on my PA5. Works great. I don't see any of the tonal differences from changing the volume control mentioned in the other post.
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You can DIY it for sure but I bought the AliExpress one based on the DRV134 chip and I am very happy with it. Another thread measured it and it does exactly what it should, which is basically not altering the sound at all. So, I recommend
125.0US $ |Finished Precision Dual Channel Single-ended To Balance Audio Converter Rca To Xlr Drv134 Converter - Home Theater Amplifiers - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
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