Topping PA5 Review (Amplifier)

[NTK]

Will it be a good amp to bi-amp it on bottom end of Kef R3, while SMSL VMV A1 drives upper part?

No. There is no good reason in bi-amping anything at all. Especially in your case if you are powering the tweeters with an amp rated at 15 W (4 ohms) output.

Without active high pass filtering of the signal into the VMV A1, both amps will need to amplify the signal voltage equally, and the VMV A1 will clip well before the PA5, rendering the higher power output of the PA5 totally useless. In other words, in your proposed system (and other passively bi-amped systems), the combined output capability is bottlenecked by the VMV A1 (i.e. the lowest output amp) to 15 W at 4 ohms. For details, please see this post/thread:

Bi-amping 101

This article provides a quick look at how bi-amplification works. The conventional scheme is to split the signal into two frequency bands before the power amplifiers that drive the speakers. The bass (LF) amp sees only LF signals and drives only the LF driver (woofer). The treble (HF) amp sees...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[SiamXIII]

No. There is no good reason in bi-amping anything at all. Especially in your case if you are powering the tweeters with an amp rated at 15 W (4 ohms) output.

Without active high pass filtering of the signal into the VMV A1, both amps will need to amplify the signal voltage equally, and the VMV A1 will clip well before the PA5, rendering the higher power output of the PA5 totally useless. In other words, in your proposed system (and other passively bi-amped systems), the combined output capability is bottlenecked by the VMV A1 (i.e. the lowest output amp) to 15 W at 4 ohms. For details, please see this post/thread:

Bi-amping 101

This article provides a quick look at how bi-amplification works. The conventional scheme is to split the signal into two frequency bands before the power amplifiers that drive the speakers. The bass (LF) amp sees only LF signals and drives only the LF driver (woofer). The treble (HF) amp sees...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Thanks for your answer!

 

[SiamXIII]

And is it safe to use A1 with Kef R3? How would I know it's not clipping?

 

[NTK]

And is it safe to use A1 with Kef R3? How would I know it's not clipping?

It should be safe. To know for sure if it is clipping, ideally you'll need electrical measurements.

@WolfX-700 of L7AudioLab did some measurements of the VMV A1, and it's max output was ~12 W @ 4 ohms. So, I'd think it will clip if you are playing anything loud (enjoyably loud, and not necessarily party level loud).

Fast&Simple Review of SMSL VMV A1 PowerAmp - L7Audiolab

台式设备 五一回来之后，我曾经宣布会有一两周时间很难更新网站。原因在于我们这边某安全演习定于5月10日开始……而我作为扫地的，面对着一堆什么X盟啦、X恒啦、X安信啦等等老鼠苍蝇蟑螂和蚊子……但是今天我简单测了一下 SMSL VMV A1 功放……，这大半夜的我可不那么困了啊……

www.l7audiolab.com

However, audibility/unpleasantness of clipping is highly exaggerated. If an amp clips only occasionally, cleanly, and not too severely, it is not very objectionable. Otherwise, modern pop music will be universally unlistenable.

 

[MAB]

And is it safe to use A1 with Kef R3? How would I know it's not clipping?

I would say the A1 is underpowered for the R3, and should be used with care.
Clipping can be heard if you listen carefully, but listening for clipping and listening to music are two separate activities; and listening critically for clipping is not fun for me. Otherwise, you need to measure it.
If you always listen at low to moderate volume and never crank the system I think you will be fine. If not, I would seriously consider a proper amp, perhaps in the 50-100 Watt per channel region. I would not fixate on the PA5, and I think bi-amping the R3 would be a waste of money. These speakers just need one nice, reliable, moderately powered amp.

 

[SiamXIII]

I would say the A1 is underpowered for the R3, and should be used with care.
Clipping can be heard if you listen carefully, but listening for clipping and listening to music are two separate activities; and listening critically for clipping is not fun for me. Otherwise, you need to measure it.
If you always listen at low to moderate volume and never crank the system I think you will be fine. If not, I would seriously consider a proper amp, perhaps in the 50-100 Watt per channel region. I would not fixate on the PA5, and I think bi-amping the R3 would be a waste of money. These speakers just need one nice, reliable, moderately powered amp.

I usually listen at about 75-80db at about 3m from speakers. A1 is at 69/70 volume, but SMSL D300 DAC is at 40-44/100.

 

[Roland68]

Will it be a good amp to bi-amp it on bottom end of Kef R3, while SMSL VMV A1 drives upper part?

Check out the SABAJ A30a.
I heard it from a friend against the SMSL VMV A1 and my PA5, Sabaj A8, A20A and A20A 2022. An older Hypex was also there.
The PA5 is great, the A30a is a little better but at least $/€200 more expensive. I don't see any reason why you should take the VMV A1 compared to the two.

 

[Toku]

Will it be a good amp to bi-amp it on bottom end of Kef R3, while SMSL VMV A1 drives upper part?

If the cost allows such a combination, try adding the Sabj A30a to the list.
I used the PA5 for half a year, but after purchasing an additional A30a, I immediately sold the PA5 due to the difference in sound quality.

 

[SiamXIII]

If the cost allows such a combination, try adding the Sabj A30a to the list.
I used the PA5 for half a year, but after purchasing an additional A30a, I immediately sold the PA5 due to the difference in sound quality.

I already own A1 and a good DAC. As for A30a, it's interesting, how it differs from VMV A2, considering the price. But at cost of A2 I can grab Topping LA90, which is superb AFAIK.

 

[Roland68]

I already own A1 and a good DAC. As for A30a, it's interesting, how it differs from VMV A2, considering the price. But at cost of A2 I can grab Topping LA90, which is superb AFAIK.

Have you (or anyone else here) had a chance to hear the A30a vs the VMV A2?

 

[Toku]

Have you (or anyone else here) had a chance to hear the A30a vs the VMV A2?

The SAbaj A30a does not have an AES input, but the internal configuration is the same as the SMSL VMV A2.
The biggest difference is the exterior design.
The SMSL VMV A2 is a very interesting product to me, but it was too expensive for me to buy.
So when I found out about the A30a's release, I bought it immediately.

 

[gnat_leader]

anyone know how to tell if a TPA chip is fake or real? Is the number stamp enough? Or you can only know via testing, performance since parts can have fake stamps and even TI logos?

 

[frki16]

regarding tests above... does he really have amplifiers like this inastalled for everyday hifi listening or is something from class A or AB? I mean its so nice in measurements, but BIG question is how it is sounds, not just PA5 but all in the class?

 

[LumenMedia]

regarding tests above... does he really have amplifiers like this inastalled for everyday hifi listening or is something from class A or AB? I mean its so nice in measurements, but BIG question is how it is sounds, not just PA5 but all in the class?

I use PA5 in my studio on my super detailed passive 3 way studio monitors. Warm and detailed sound, with excellent stereo separation and depth. Far beyond what most Class D offered few years ago. Class D technology do not stay, evolving every 2-3 years.

 

[Talisman]

regarding tests above... does he really have amplifiers like this inastalled for everyday hifi listening or is something from class A or AB? I mean its so nice in measurements, but BIG question is how it is sounds, not just PA5 but all in the class?

But there is no question.
It sounds like you see in those measurements, if it works well (and it's a great one given the problems of many users) it perfectly amplifies the supplied input signal up to the limits of its power.
There is nothing more to know.
There is no mysticism they want you to believe in hifi. There are no magic powders, there are no mysterious nuances, lifted veils, fluid highs, relaxed reproductions....
There are only electrical signals that are more or less accurately amplified. There is nothing more to know about it
(regarding the amps)

 

[mike70]

Amplifiers doesn't sound ... amplifiers amplify the signal, with better or worst quality and generally you don't need 100dB SINAD.

In a normal room with standard recordings, a 100dB SINAD can be indistinguible from 70dB.

 

[frki16]

But there is no question.
It sounds like you see in those measurements, if it works well (and it's a great one given the problems of many users) it perfectly amplifies the supplied input signal up to the limits of its power.
There is nothing more to know.
There is no mysticism they want you to believe in hifi. There are no magic powders, there are no mysterious nuances, lifted veils, fluid highs, relaxed reproductions....
There are only electrical signals that are more or less accurately amplified. There is nothing more to know about it
(regarding the amps)

so, studio monitor speakers should be also good for every purpose?

 

[Killingbeans]

I mean its so nice in measurements, but BIG question is how it is sounds, not just PA5 but all in the class?

That's the beauty of good measurements. They tell you that there's no need to worry about a contribution from the amplifier. It most likely doesn't "sound" like anything. It just amplifies. Like an amplifier should. Class doesn't matter either. A good amplifier is a good amplifer.

 

[Talisman]

so, studio monitor speakers should be also good for every purpose?

Yes, of course. A low distortion, flat response loudspeaker guarantees you a basis of high fidelity to the input signal, and if you prefer to color the sound you can always do so if the distortion allows you some leeway.
I have speakers that don't have a flat frequency response, do I like them? Yes, are they classified as "high fidelity"? No.
I don't understand why a lover of sonic purity would want anything other than a neutral response.
I prefer some colors, I'm aware of it and I live with it, but I also know it's Myfi, not Hifi.

 

[Killingbeans]

so, studio monitor speakers should be also good for every purpose?

Transducers are completely different beasts than electronics.

No speaker is good for every purpose, but studio monitors has no restrictions that make them unfit for home audio, IMO.