Topping PA5 Review (Amplifier)

[bsas]

I have a DIY amp with the Hypex NC502MP module which is a module that combines amplifier and power supply on one board. This DIY uses the common Ghent case. I don't like the Ghent case--it is too small, too tight a fit. I bought the amp from someone else who put it all together. The unit works fine. I'd like to put together a DIY Hypex based or Purifi based 2 channel stereo amp and do it in a bigger more spacious case than the standard Ghent cases. I have such a case that I bought. You can also get basic audio equipment cases from Chinese sources (Aliexpress) or from equipment supply stores for pro equipment. There is at this time no source for Hypex NC series or Purifi amp modules that I know of. Two questions: 1) Will the Hypex NC and Purifi amp modules continue indefinitely to be unavailable except for manufacturers and so I should give up hoping to buy one or the other? Is the Topping PA5 of such sound quality that the 'objectivist' specialists in ASR conclude there is very little if any sound quality identifiable difference between the Hypex NC MP modules, the Purifi modules and the Topping PA5 for general home listening (assuming that I do not need a high power amp)? Assuming a small room with efficient speakers and I don't play music loud. I know I should be able to study the respective reviews on ASR and draw the conclusions myself after reading this website for a year and more but I'd like other's opinions.

I have the Purifi amp, some IcePower ones and the PA5, here is my perspective:

1) Both the Purifi amp and the PA5 are designed to use balanced inputs. If you don't have an balanced source you will need to use a cable adapter (which will cut the gain in half) or a converter (that will cost some extra and maybe add some noise to the system).

2) Some IcePower modules are balanced but a lot of them aren't. I believe your NC502MP is better than any of my IcePower ones, so, forget about those

3) If you have extra power is never a bad thing. You need to think like that, for a 50W at 8ohms the PA5 is crazy impressive for the noise floor, probably "better" than the NC502MP you have. But, if you have a very high power amp (yours is 500W at 4ohms if I am not mistaken, right) and you play it at very low volumes, it will be dead silent also.

4) The Purifi is a better amp than the PA5 and your NC502MP, no doubt. But it should based on the price difference anyway.

5) I honestly don't think the PA5 is so much better than your NC502MP that you will notice a difference right away. I don't even think you can hear any obvious difference with the Purifi amp either, even if both "measure better"...

Honestly, unless your current amp has any terrible "issue" that is bothering you, like a noise or something, don't bother. Your setup is already great. If you don't like the Ghent case just buy another case, but honestly they are nice cases, doesn't matter if they are small (electronics wise), it is just a matter of looks

 

[daniboun]

Hi amigos,

Just to share, a new full balanced TPA3255 is now available with a motorized volume knob and DIP8 op amps, will share my impression as soon as I get it )

 

[antcollinet]

Hi amigos,

Just to share, a new full balanced TPA3255 is now available with a motorized volume knob and DIP8 op amps, will share my impression as soon as I get it )

Can you create a separate thread for discussion of this new amp, so this one (which is about the PA5) doesn't get derailed.

Thanks.

 

[MarkWinston]

Hi amigos,

Just to share, a new full balanced TPA3255 is now available with a motorized volume knob and DIP8 op amps, will share my impression as soon as I get it )

Please do. Looks like its from BRZ... nice.

 

[daniboun]

Please do. Looks like its from BRZ... nice.

You re right, my bad, I shared it because it is using the same TPA325X chip

 

[Drengur]

but I got them off Amazon for less than $7.

It looks really good, do you have a link on those bases for the feet? I need to move my stack and was thinking about buying the rack - but I am worried it will make a dent in my desk.

 

[jools]

I just did a search for reliability issues regarding Topping PA3 and didn’t see much. Am I missing something? Surely, there would be some chatter about it online if it was a problem.

I got a PA3 to compare with a £20 no-brand 7498 based mini-amp and the Aiyima A04. The PA3 died (sudden magic-smoke leak) in under two weeks - actually before the A04 arrived. It was a shame as, although it didn't seem to perform any better than the no-brand, it looked good and matched my DX3-Pro. Aoshida/Amazon were great with the refund and I was probably just unlucky - I've not had any issues with either the DX3-Pro or Pro+.

 

[anotherhobby]

It looks really good, do you have a link on those bases for the feet? I need to move my stack and was thinking about buying the rack - but I am worried it will make a dent in my desk.

Here you go: Trolleyshop 4PCS Silver Speaker Isolation Spikes Floor Protectors Shoes Mats 5x25mm

 

[HansHolland]

I noticed my DAC and headphone amp were running pretty warm sitting on the PA5. I just got the little topping rack, and I have to say that noticeably less heat makes it to the other devices, and they both run much cooler now vs just stacking them on top of each other. Disappointingly, the rack doesn't come with those little bases, but I got them off Amazon for less than $7.

View attachment 177327

For Scale:

View attachment 177328

Really nice, but I would place the amp on top.

 

[ModDIY]

Hi amigos,

Just to share, a new full balanced TPA3255 is now available with a motorized volume knob and DIP8 op amps, will share my impression as soon as I

You re right, my bad, I shared it because it is using the same TPA325X chip

Yes it's the same TPA325X, but how does that relate to the PA5.

I hope you won't flood the TPA325X threads with the new future or old Allo TPA3255. ;-)

 

[daniboun]

Yes it's the same TPA325X, but how does that relate to the PA5.

I hope you won't flood the TPA325X threads with the new future or old Allo TPA3255. ;-)

I promise I'll try eh)
In the meantime, you will probably be the first to buy the Allo when it is tested on ASR)

 

[ModDIY]

I promise I'll try eh)
In the meantime, you will probably be the first to buy the Allo when it is tested on ASR)

Yes maybe, it will depend on the price and performance. It's not personal and I appreciate your comments, I just have a DAC that I bought following your comments.

 

[daniboun]

Yes maybe, it will depend on the price and performance. It's not personal and I appreciate your comments, I just have a DAC that I bought following your comments.

I know bro )) many thx take care

 

[ModDIY]

I know bro )) many thx take care

Peace to you my brother. And happy new year 2022 with health, happiness and beautiful music

 

[daniboun]

Peace to you my brother. And happy new year 2022 with health, happiness and beautiful music

Yeah many thx I do appreciate )

 

[Arashi_Tsunade]

I wanted to ask all the experts in the discussion for a clarification, taking the Topping PA5 as a reference, in your opinion how would it drive the new Technics SB-C600?
I list the features:

Speaker Units
Woofer / Tweeter
15 cm (6") Cone type x 1 / 2.5 cm (1") Dome type x 1

Impedance
4Ω

Input Power (IEC)
60W (Rated), 120 W (Max)

Recommended Amp Power
40- 120 W (Speaker tested by IEC60268-5 Short Term Max Test)

Sound Pressure Level
83 dB / 2.83 V (m)
80 dB / W(m)

Frequency Range
40Hz - 100kHz (-10dB)

Crossover Frequencies
2kHz

 

[Lambda]

80 dB / W(m)

Efficiency and sensitivity conversion - loudspeaker percent and dB per watt and meter loudspeaker efficiency versus sensitivity vs speaker sensitivity 1 watt = 2,83 volt box chart - sengpielaudio Sengpiel Berlin

Efficiency and sensitivity conversion - loudspeaker percent and dB per watt and meter dB/W/m loudspeaker efficiency versus sensitivity vs speaker sensitivity 1 watt = 2,83 volt box chart - sengpielaudio Eberhard Sengpiel

www.sengpielaudio.com

So you will get max 93dB SPL PEAK at 2m

The dB(A) level of you music is significantly lower.
How mush depends on your music.

Go in audacity -->Apply eq select dBa weighting curve.

Db(A), Db(C) equalizations should not miss in stock audacity - Audacity Forum

--> go to measure RMS.

Subtract this number from 93dB and you have your max average listening level.

Normally something like 15dB for pop music. so you can listen at around 78dB(A) SPL in 2m distance

 

[Eggs Ackley]

Here's a quick and dirty method for you to try. Topping marketing claims 125w at 4 ohms while Amir's test suggests around 80w so I would use that number. Speaker sensitivity is 80dB (1W/1m). Plug both those numbers along with distance and placement numbers into the following tool. This will give you an estimate of how loud they should get.

SPL Calculator

 

[staticV3]

Here's a quick and dirty method for you to try. Topping marketing claims 125w at 4 ohms while Amir's test suggests around 80w so I would use that number. Speaker sensitivity is 80dB (1W/1m). Plug both those numbers along with distance and placement numbers into the following tool. This will give you an estimate of how loud they should get.

SPL Calculator

Topping claim 140W@4Ω@10%THD+N(20dB SINAD) and that's exactly what the PA5 achieves according to Amir's and WolfX-700's measurements.
I'm not saying that that's a good spec to advertise their Amp with.
Just clarifying that it's not an imaginary spec made-up by the marketing team.

 

[Lambda]

This will give you an estimate of how loud they should get.

No it will give you an Estimate for the Peak!
Every SPL meter is averring over some time frame (because this how the ear works)
And every SPL meter has at least one weighting curve most of them A (because this ruffly how the ear preserves loudness)

So you have to apply weighting and measure RMS.

@amirm has a video about this called "how loud is loud"

Topping claim 140W@4Ω@10%THD+N(20dB SINAD)

Not made up but also not verry Hi-Fi and not very helpful.