restorer-john
Grand Contributor
I think the multi tone shows us everything we need for intermodulation.
It shows how the amplifier performs at 5W, with 31 tones.
I think the multi tone shows us everything we need for intermodulation.
True - but that 5W multi-tone is the equivalent of 100+W of actual music to get a 20kHz freqeuncy that high (assuming 20kHz is typically 40dB down)It shows how the amplifier performs at 5W, with 31 tones.
Doesn't the two tone test people ask for normally have two tones at the high end? Like 18/19KHz, or 18/20kHz?
Simply because that is what I've seen asked for in the past. Normally proposed for understanding how super sonic intermodulation products modulate back into the audible band.
And again you do not consider intermodulations.
Please address Matias' point.And again you don't consider that musical content is -40 dB at 20kHz and somewhat higher at 10 kHz. Let's see those IMD charts with those levels and then we can conclude something practical.
Late reply - Current Rega arms seem too high at the pivot rather than too low - and don't forget the tapered arm tube! Something else, many styli offer too deep rake angles, or at least used to, so raising the arm to 'look' more level may actually be *increasing* distortion further, giving that 'sharper' kind of sound that this usually does. For medium compliance cartridges, I'm reliably informed that 1/10g tracking force change is equivalent to a mm or so at least pillar height difference.. Don't forget a mat alternative...Thanks @olom70 for your impressions. I have a Rega RP5 that is modded to beat the RP6. If you haven't yet, buy the most current PSU/speed-controller. Also look into a VTA shim kit from Germany. It will make a huge difference and you do not need to remove the arm. I run one and it is incredible how much more information you can gain. I used a couple shims to make VTA adjustments from 0.5mm-6.5mm.
BACK to the PA5...
Thank you for your impression.
The Gustard seems to be adequate.
The volume control is not an accurate method of telling what level you have it set to. The exception is when you have everything else adjusted and you don't require more output. I would advise you to set your DAC to give maximum output before clipping and adjust your volume using a preamp or built in preamp. Then set your gains. XX o'clock is not a consistent measure for output.
I would strongly advise you to play with room treatment after you get the gain controls set. Once they are set you will NOT need to go into the gain controls, the preamp if your DAC is so equipped can take over volume control and it will be a cleaner sound.
Once the gains are set, play with room placement, a couple of inches will make a big difference.
My opinion about the PA5 continues to grow. Setup with any audio equipment can improve the fidelity more than you can believe.
I sense an upgrade of speakers in your very near future. Not for volume, but for clarity and imagine/stagine. JBL bookshelf speakers large or small benefit greatly by speaker placement and toe-adjustment. Sometimes more so than other conventional speakers.
It is my opinion that you have the start of a great sounding system. I think there is room for improvement. Take the time to learn about VTA. Almost all Regas have poor VTA, as in the arm is lifted lightly instead of a very slight downward angle. Feel free to DM me if you have questions.
There is little doubt that the PA5 can fit/suit the casual listener, but you can maximise still what you already have.
The PA5 which I haven't purchased yet is an excellent amp. I have several friend who have one and they cannot speak highly enough about the amplifier. Yes there is better but I don't think there is an amplifier that drastically improves upon it at this price.
Happy listening. Adjust/tweak your room to get the most of it. There is more sound with the eq
What does (I am not talking about price or views) make the McIntosh amps so special :One just arrived today and I hoocked it op to a pair of JBL Ti10k ... This will be a tough job for this amp I supposed.
But no it plays just fine with good bass impact. Signal comes from the RME ADI-2 PRO FS R.
Before the JBL's were driven by a McIntosh integrated MA6300.
So in comparison with the McIntosh ... (I know it is an overkill but the Topping PA5 has better measurements than the McIntosh (slightly) so ... )
I am glad it does not beat the McIntosh. Soundstage is slightly more narrow than the Mc. Mids a bit louder but than I miss some detail or airyness.
I makes me wonder... What does (I am not talking about price or views) make the McIntosh amps so special : it is like you have more time to hear the music with a mac. It does not simply amplify the music to get rid of it, music is presented on a plate with every detail available for the listener to absorb. Right, I now am reviewing McIntosh. That was not the intention.
Back to thet PA5... I can't find any faults. Lowering the input from +0 DB to -4 makes the Topping play even more transparent. Strange. I have been listening for a good hour. I will come back to it later.
If you mean :With a McIntosh the music becomes visual, than I agree.What does (I am not talking about price or views) make the McIntosh amps so special :
Visuals, nothing more.
I’m confused on why the gain looks different between the two outputs when driven singe ended. Any thoughts?Interesting. If these results are accurate, it looks like the PA5 is a complete differential amp, balanced all the way to the output. I do notice a substantial difference in the sound of the PA5 when driven by the MOTU M4 vs Audient ID14 MkII. The Audient is only resistive balanced on its output while the MOTU is differential. I don't listen loud enough to notice any lack of power but driven by the Audient it sounds warmer and less defined.
This seems like it might be a similar situation to the Schitt Magnius, which measured massively poorer with a single-ended input.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-magnius-balanced-headphone-amp-review.15252/ I'll be watching this thread with interest!
Please provide further details if possible. The fact that you have to carefully search for adjectives to differentiate the two makes it quite curious. I mean: it should be an abyss.One just arrived today and I hoocked it op to a pair of JBL Ti10k ... This will be a tough job for this amp I supposed.
But no it plays just fine with good bass impact. Signal comes from the RME ADI-2 PRO FS R.
Before the JBL's were driven by a McIntosh integrated MA6300.
So in comparison with the McIntosh ... (I know it is an overkill but the Topping PA5 has better measurements than the McIntosh (slightly) so ... )
I am glad it does not beat the McIntosh. Soundstage is slightly more narrow than the Mc. Mids a bit louder but than I miss some detail or airyness.
I makes me wonder... What does (I am not talking about price or views) make the McIntosh amps so special : it is like you have more time to hear the music with a mac. It does not simply amplify the music to get rid of it, music is presented on a plate with every detail available for the listener to absorb. Right, I now am reviewing McIntosh. That was not the intention.
Back to thet PA5... I can't find any faults. Lowering the input from +0 DB to -4 makes the Topping play even more transparent. Strange. I have been listening for a good hour. I will come back to it later.
Are you suggesting that my Amazon Echo sounds like a McIntosh 6300? Do I really need to make an AB comparison double-blind scientific testing?Lots of audiophile subjectivist blather showing up in this thread. Many new arrivals seem to be unaware that their flowery descriptions of supposedly audible differences between amplifiers disappear when tested in rigorous ABx double-blind scientific testing.
Hello guys
Any advices for a good DAC with this power amp ?
With :
Bluetooth
Balanced
Good ASR Review
Thanks !
Are you suggesting that my Amazon Echo sounds like a McIntosh 6300? Do I really need to make an AB comparison double-blind scientific testing?
I do believe that this thread is about the Topping PA5 and not the Amazon Echo, which is not even an amplifier. The Echo is a small active "smart" loudspeaker, which makes your comment an absolutely ridiculous non sequitur. And a huge strawman!Are you suggesting that my Amazon Echo sounds like a McIntosh 6300? Do I really need to make an AB comparison double-blind scientific testing?