tvrgeek
Major Contributor
FWIW, I was impressed with the Atoll integrated. I could not hear a difference with a SIM nor would I attribute any signature to either. I heard it on both some Wilsons and my own speakers with music I know well.
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Topping PA5 Review (Amplifier)
- Thread starter amirm
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My system has become rather Topping-heavy (haha) since I picked up a D90 (MQA-free version) two years ago. I'm now running that D90 (along with a phono stage) into a Pre90 through a K231 active crossover into a PA5 which powers Revel M106 crossed to a pair of subs @ 80 Hz LR4. Cables are Canare L-4E6S with a mix of XLR and TRS.
I don't have a very broad audiophile vocabulary but the PA5 sounds wonderful in this setup. Clear, smooth, detailed and open with seemingly more than enough power at 9' from the speakers. And, while the M106 are the best speakers I've ever owned, gfinlays has me drooling over those damn ZRT...
Sorry, just quoting myself to note that I decided to try the PA5 directly powering the Revel M106, sans active crossover/subs, and it's working very well in that config also. I can't say it gives up anything in my setup, at my levels, to the twice-as-powerful, much heavier and larger class A/B Outlaw it replaced. The M106 are pretty clean and revealing and there's no harshness or sibilance to speak of. And bass seems even better and punchier to the extent I've moved the subs and crossover out of the system. The whole chain, D90/Pre90/PA5, is dead silent even with my ear almost touching the tweeter. Overall I'm very happy with it. I'm not concerned with how it compares to the current SOTA, just wanted something small (and balanced) to replace the old A/B amp which took up an entire shelf and not take a hit on SQ.
yavormoskov
Active Member
I have a question. Can I keep the volume pot of Topping PA5 at max at all times. Is there any negative or distortion if I do that? Thanks.
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If your source's max output is high enough, you might make the PA5 clip. And you're more likely to hear upstream noise after it's amplified.
Usual advice is to turn down the amp to 0, max out the source's volume, then slowly increase the amp's output until it's a tiny bit louder than you'd ever need. At that point, you can control volume from the source without worrying about the amp.
Usual advice is to turn down the amp to 0, max out the source's volume, then slowly increase the amp's output until it's a tiny bit louder than you'd ever need. At that point, you can control volume from the source without worrying about the amp.
ToriCatcher
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Any reason you recommend the D30pro and not the updated D30pro+ version?
As it is an updated version, I'd expect it to be better (also backed by amir's reviews, to my understanding).
Is it not the case?
Thanks
Is there a D30Pro+? If you mean DX3 Pro+ it doesn't measure better than the D30Pro. Maybe you mixed it with the original D30 (not Pro). These Topping model names get real confusing..
ToriCatcher
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Wow, they got me.
Now I have to reevaluate thier line for the dac/preamp I'm looking for...
Thank you for your help.
dsnyder0cnn
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ToriCatcher
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Even as just a dac/pre I don't really know many better alternatives
AudioArchitech
Senior Member
SMSL D0200, M500 and SU9N all look good options too
ToriCatcher
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Absolutely they do, but the least expensive of the three is twice the price of dx3pro+.
Difference is non balanced output option on the dx3pro+ ?
AudioArchitech
Senior Member
Look like a Topping EX5 is best value at $349 with Balanced Outs, Volume Control, Bluetooth, Headphone amp...
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I will test E50 + PA5 on my in Infinity Kappa 8A . Do you think it will be OK ?
maxxevv
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It probably means you could possibly experience a dip in the perceived volume at 1khz with the speaker using the PA5 if you push the speaker levels?? Possibly affect the perceived tonality of the speaker if it runs out of power at 1khz ??
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You have peak/dip reversed here. The amp's maximum voltage will drop at low impedances.
maxxevv
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Its about wattage (I x V ) and not just voltage right ?
The measurements say it outputs lower wattage at higher impedances, and higher wattage at lower impedances. So it will probably achieve its at least 83W output at under 4 Ohms but less than its measured 47W at greater than 8 Ohms. Which in this case, the 9.8 Ohm peak at 1 Khz for the speaker, it would be the case?
So if one was pushing the speakers at a level that draws over 70W output nominally, would the speaker behave with a dip in output at the 1khz point clipping at below 47W then ? Since its peak at 1khz is over 8 Ohm ? Would the difference in power output levels be discernible then ?
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