thanks for the update on Apos, I’m hoping the negative reports on ASR were just one-offs. On the note of the Pre90, what ever happened to the matching power amps Topping was designing?
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Topping Pre90 Review (preamplifier)
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thanks for the update on Apos, I’m hoping the negative reports on ASR were just one-offs. On the note of the Pre90, what ever happened to the matching power amps Topping was designing?
Shoaibexpert
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Ok, so the results (mine, subjective) are in for the Pre90+SMSL SU-9(flashed for 3rd Harmonic).
In terms of improvement, I'd put a number of 15% on it... specifically in areas of more specificity in instrument placement and tightening of vocal image. The bass seems less boomy but more extended and overall sound appears more balanced with treble elements being more clean and extended. I really can't tell where the sounds are coming from now (it was also the case with just the SU-9 in Pre-amp mode, but more so now). Sound stage width seems to have extended very slightly with little to no increase in sound stage height. Attack and decay appear to be more quicker. Depth seems to have improved which might be what's making it easy for vocals and instrument localization easier. Vocals also don't sound so much in your face anymore as they did...which I guess is a trait of SU-9 from what I've read. Music certainly more impactful now is what I feel...if I had to put a word to it, I'd say seems more 'effortless' now in it's presentation. Noise floor hasn't changed...(maybe slightly increased, actually...maybe placebo). Remote sensor blaster has a top pointing angle...so me pointing it down always hits it's mark...that is indeed a manufacturing defect.
It's not night and day by any means (like I experienced when I switched from PC USB audio to IFI Zen Stream) but I'm certainly keeping my Pre90, especially when I can let SU-9 operate in DAC only mode.
Equipment: Tidal HiFi-IFI Zen Stream-SMSL SU-9-Topping Pre90-NAD C298-KEF R7s+SVS SB-3000 Sub - AQ Forest USB cable+all Mogami 2543 balanced interconnects and Mogami W3104 speaker cables.
No shooting the messenger guys!
In terms of improvement, I'd put a number of 15% on it... specifically in areas of more specificity in instrument placement and tightening of vocal image. The bass seems less boomy but more extended and overall sound appears more balanced with treble elements being more clean and extended. I really can't tell where the sounds are coming from now (it was also the case with just the SU-9 in Pre-amp mode, but more so now). Sound stage width seems to have extended very slightly with little to no increase in sound stage height. Attack and decay appear to be more quicker. Depth seems to have improved which might be what's making it easy for vocals and instrument localization easier. Vocals also don't sound so much in your face anymore as they did...which I guess is a trait of SU-9 from what I've read. Music certainly more impactful now is what I feel...if I had to put a word to it, I'd say seems more 'effortless' now in it's presentation. Noise floor hasn't changed...(maybe slightly increased, actually...maybe placebo). Remote sensor blaster has a top pointing angle...so me pointing it down always hits it's mark...that is indeed a manufacturing defect.
It's not night and day by any means (like I experienced when I switched from PC USB audio to IFI Zen Stream) but I'm certainly keeping my Pre90, especially when I can let SU-9 operate in DAC only mode.
Equipment: Tidal HiFi-IFI Zen Stream-SMSL SU-9-Topping Pre90-NAD C298-KEF R7s+SVS SB-3000 Sub - AQ Forest USB cable+all Mogami 2543 balanced interconnects and Mogami W3104 speaker cables.
No shooting the messenger guys!
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Pdxwayne
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I have similar experience using a transparent preamp instead of using my DAC in preamp mode. I was told using my DAC as preamp is not optimal as it is lossy. So you are not alone in experiencing improvements once moving away from DAC preamp mode.
I just bought a Pre90 after getting annoyingly haggled, I have to say this Pre90 has made a HUGE difference to my setup. Sound stage is wider, volume feels fuller, sound is more forward, the guitars strings HOLY they now feel like they're being plucked.
PRE90 has made a huge change to my system, I think the preamp in Topping D90 was just garbage.
PRE90 has made a huge change to my system, I think the preamp in Topping D90 was just garbage.
raif71
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What's your setup with the pre90, what dac and amp did you use? I'm considering getting the pre90 too but it'll be for a few months or next year.
I have a Topping D90, with a buckeye amp to Q950s. I have a Topping A90, so I tried that in pre-amp mode into the Q950s and I noticed a marked improvement so I decided to get a Pre90
Topping D90 alone has a weird behavior, the sound sounds great already but there are certain items that lack omph, and lots of lacking in terms of string plucking, spacial feeling. I didn't know the sound was flat until I plugged in my A90 (which made it slightly better). The Pre90 made is WAY better.
After adding the Pre90, HOLY COW. I turned out my favorite scene in Inception, the one where the dream collapses and the plates explode and such.
HOLY COW was the feeling, like I could hear a plate smash and exactly know which direction it came from. Before, the dynamics didn't feel so high.
Sometime the Pre definitely helped with.
Other sounds with strong guitar, and strings, and vocals really helped, also the audience now sounds far away, not so muddled with the music.
Something about it helps the overall sound.
Also the volume is very mechanical, it makes an audible tick tick tick when you adjust it, which I absolutely love.
Basically what the Pre90 did was bring out the spacing on all the notes, so it isn't so muddled (not sure how to explain it scientifically). It beefed up the highs, and mids, but kept the lows as is, clarity definitely increased throughout. This could also because I set the Topping D90 to pure DAC mode.
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Though totally subjective, your post is tempting me. Since long in my consideration, I'll give it a try in some time
Though totally subjective, your post is tempting me. Since long in my consideration, I'll give it a try in some time
Amazon has it, just buy it and return it if you don’t like it
raif71
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Yes, it is very tempting indeed especially the "HOLY COW" statementThough totally subjective, your post is tempting me. Since long in my consideration, I'll give it a try in some time
. I will mainly get it to feed several DACs and have the pre90 give a boost to the Singxer SA-1 which I will keep at low gain instead of its high gain now.HOLY COW moment was when I heard strings pluck... I honestly though my speakers broke, the strings were so sharp and felt so physical. I'm listening to yoyo ma and I can FEEL the strings over his cello...
I don't know the right audiophile words to apply, but things have a physicality to it.
I would have similar conclusions as the rest, it increased quality by about 10%
I don't know the right audiophile words to apply, but things have a physicality to it.
I would have similar conclusions as the rest, it increased quality by about 10%
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raif71
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Did you get the ext90 too?
No, what's the point of EXT90?
More inputs possible.
Hi, Any advice would be good. I was looking into impedance compatibility and i was thinking if my current system could benefit from this Topping Pre 90. Or should i just leave it as it is?
Current system
Bluesound Node 21 Coax Out into a Denafrips Ares II and XLR out from the Ares II into XLR into to the active speakers. Any advice if you think by adding the Pre 90 into chain would help dramatically.
Also does it affect the sound if im using 2m long XLR cables appose to say 1m XLR cables?
Current system
Bluesound Node 21 Coax Out into a Denafrips Ares II and XLR out from the Ares II into XLR into to the active speakers. Any advice if you think by adding the Pre 90 into chain would help dramatically.
Also does it affect the sound if im using 2m long XLR cables appose to say 1m XLR cables?
Attachments
If there was something about the analogue out on the Denafrips that was flawed or at least audibly inferior to the Pre90 analogue out sure it could improve the system. saying that I would have to imagine the limiting factor is actually the active speakers themselves as they have amplifiers and are of course the final influencer of what you hear.
After reading your reviews and posts ....... I cant keep my money anymore ....... I want it If I understood well in my setup:
SMSL SU-9(harmonics fixed) ---> Hypex NC502MP ----> Elac DB-r 62
The Pre90 fits perfect and it will give that extra in good
If I understood well in my setup:SMSL SU-9(harmonics fixed) ---> Hypex NC502MP ----> Elac DB-r 62
The Pre90 fits perfect and it will give that extra in good
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