Topping PA7 Plus Amplifier Review

[KotalKahnSunGod]

Hi, guys! How to connect subwoofer Dali C-8 to the pa7?

 

[staticV3]

Hi, guys! How to connect subwoofer Dali C-8 to the pa7?

Not possible.

The C-8D has only Line input:


What device do you have plugged into the PA7's Line input? A DAC? AVR?
Which model?

 

[Guddu]

Hi, guys! How to connect subwoofer Dali C-8 to the pa7?

You should look at DAC in your chain, if using one.
A DAC with balanced and RCA inputs can solve this:
DAC >> balanced TRS/XLR out to PA7
DAC >> RCA out to Dali Sub line input

 

[Deleted member 68495]

Would it be possible to use rca splitters?

 

[Guddu]

Would it be possible to use rca splitters?

May present issues like reduced output impedance.

 

[staticV3]

Would it be possible to use rca splitters?

RCA splitters will work just fine in the majority of cases.

 

[Guddu]

RCA normally outputs 2v max, splitting further will cause it to drop around 1v.
PA7 can use around 1.9v on RCA input for optimal gain.
I thought this is surely undesirable, am I mistaken?

 

[staticV3]

RCA normally outputs 2v max, splitting further will cause it to drop around 1v.
I thought this is surely undesirable, am I mistaken?

Splitting RCA doesn't cause the voltage to drop.

Decreasing the damping factor causes the voltage to drop.

Most Line connections have such good damping factor that even if you connect multiple Amps to one Line out in parallel, the output voltage is barely affected.

You need to worry about poor impedance bridging only if your Line out device is poorly designed with 1000+Ω output impedance, you want to connect challenging loads like an unbuffered Purifi Amp, or you want to split one Line out to, like, four or more Amps at the same time.

In the majority of cases, splitters do not cause any issues.

 

[Guddu]

Cool… something new for me.
Thanks

 

[3dcnc]

I have the Topping PA7 plus unit - Happy . I use the XLR inputs from main DAC.

Google : XLR connections often carry a higher voltage signal then RCA connections, up to 4 volts against typically the 2 volts on an RCA connection.

Question: The RCA imput on PA7 , seems "weaker" than normal RCA ( volume low) . Is it better to use XLR to RCA cable from another DAC (4 volts) , or is it designed for RCA to RCA ( 2 volts) ?

Thinking of buying this cable to connect DAC XLR to PA7 plus (RCA)

 

[3dcnc]

I have had plenty of D Amps. I have noticed that most D amps seem to need a 1 -2 day burn in to sound right ( to my ears). This is subjective I know.
Its almost like the chips need to "loosen up" . When I first listened to PA7 , I thought it was "broken". I already have the PA5. I am really happy with the PA7 plus at the moment. It took 1- 2 days of continuous play. it seems to still be improving.

D Amps I have owned. Temple audio, Fosi, Topping, Project audio, SMSL

Some D amps increase in volume over first 8 hours. Start the amp at 100% volume. 8 hours later - 50%?

Not sure if anyone has come across this? i always wondered if the "review" copies were "burned in " before being sent out for review.

 

[Zek]

Thinking of buying this cable to connect DAC XLR to PA7 plus (RCA)

Depending on how the balanced output from the DAC is done, it is not recommended to connect the balanced output to the unbalanced input on the amplifier as it may burn the outputs from the DAC.

 

[Vladetz]

I have had plenty of D Amps. I have noticed that most D amps seem to need a 1 -2 day burn in to sound right ( to my ears). This is subjective I know.
Its almost like the chips need to "loosen up" . When I first listened to PA7 , I thought it was "broken". I already have the PA5. I am really happy with the PA7 plus at the moment. It took 1- 2 days of continuous play. it seems to still be improving.

D Amps I have owned. Temple audio, Fosi, Topping, Project audio, SMSL

Some D amps increase in volume over first 8 hours. Start the amp at 100% volume. 8 hours later - 50%?

Not sure if anyone has come across this? i always wondered if the "review" copies were "burned in " before being sent out for review.

It is just your perception and adaption

 

[Lsi]

question about xlr connection
If my dac is smsl ultra, it's better to conect it with xlr or rca to topping pa7 plus?

 

[Guddu]

question about xlr connection
If my dac is smsl ultra, it's better to conect it with xlr or rca to topping pa7 plus?

Keeping it short and to the point:
Better - XLR - Yes, specially if using long interconnect cables.
If using short interconnect cables, then still XLR is measurably better but that difference may not be of practical use.

 

[Deleted member 68495]

Depending on how the balanced output from the DAC is done, it is not recommended to connect the balanced output to the unbalanced input on the amplifier as it may burn the outputs from the DAC.

What if it was the other way around? Is it safe to connect an unbalanced output (2 V) to a balanced input (4 V)?

 

[staticV3]

What if it was the other way around? Is it safe to connect an unbalanced output (2 V) to a balanced input (4 V)?

Yes, though special care needs to be put into the cable's construction to make use of the balanced input's full CMRR, so that you get the same noise cancelling as with a native XLR output:

 

[Deleted member 68495]

Yes, though special care needs to be put into the cable's construction to make use of the balanced input's full CMRR, so that you get the same noise cancelling as with a native XLR output:
View attachment 365827 View attachment 365828

Thank you, how could one make sure that this is the case when buying an adaptor? Any kind of brand or model which you would recommend?

 

[staticV3]

Thank you, how could one make sure that this is the case when buying an adaptor? Any kind of brand or model which you would recommend?

Monoprice sell an RCA->XLR cable with the right 3-conductor construction: https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-XLR-Male-RCA-Cable/dp/B001VLW398

Though I think if you want to go all the way with a matching series resistor, it'd have to be made to order/DIY.

 

[Deleted member 68495]

Thank you very much