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Topping Pre90 Review (preamplifier)

I don't use headphones. Hence, my Topping stack is the Pre90; D90Se, and Ext90. I can confirm that this is it for my choices of amplification. I'm sure that any choice that you make will satisfy.

If you want to maintain high standards on the phono stage, I could recommend the Violectric PPA V790.

Good luck and happy listening.
Thanks, I'm also not a headphone user. What do you use for a power amp? Or do you run powered speakers?
 
Yes, I don't use an amp. I have a pair of active Genelec 8361A monitors supported by a pair of Genelec 7360A sub's. That's also a final (speaker) point for me. :)

When I used the Revel F208 passive monitors. I found a stereo pair of Benchmark AHB2's to be wonderful.

All the best
 
I have a couple of questions about the Pre90, for those of you that have one.

Has anybody confirmed the "below 1 mV" DC offset? Manual says "<1mVrms" but I assume they mean <1mV DC. My current preamp has 9mV of DC on one output and I'm trying to see if I can reduce that. My amplifier amplifies the DC at the input so I have it set to low gain (3.9X). Still I am getting about 25 mV DC on the worst channel.

And (I assume this is true) can you have a configuration where RCA input and XLR output is selected?

Edit: Never mind the second question, I see SE IN / BAL OUT is a listed configuration in the specifications.
Edit: Placed an order with Apos. Will measure DC offset when it arrives. Also ordered an $8.99 IR extender from Amazon.
 
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I sold my passive preamp, I searched high and low for a good preamp to replace it. The choice could have gone for an old used glory, but too risky; I like the devices of the past, but the risk of finding myself with some problems is always around the corner. I thought about it for a long time and in the end I took Pre90. It has enviable measurements, I don't need any more inputs, by all accounts it is almost unbeatable, it has an enviable price-performance ratio. What can I say other than confirming all the praise for this product. It works excellently, and frankly I think I would never have achieved the same result with an old and noble preamp. Indeed, I would have risked yet another heirloom hanging in the room...
 
I sold my passive preamp, I searched high and low for a good preamp to replace it. The choice could have gone for an old used glory, but too risky; I like the devices of the past, but the risk of finding myself with some problems is always around the corner. I thought about it for a long time and in the end I took Pre90. It has enviable measurements, I don't need any more inputs, by all accounts it is almost unbeatable, it has an enviable price-performance ratio. What can I say other than confirming all the praise for this product. It works excellently, and frankly I think I would never have achieved the same result with an old and noble preamp. Indeed, I would have risked yet another heirloom hanging in the room...
If you ever need additional inputs (say for a turntable, preamp or tape player), you can always add the Topping Ext90.
 
If you ever need additional inputs (say for a turntable, preamp or tape player), you can always add the Topping Ext90.
Thanks, yes I saw it. I now only use the DAC as a source, to which the computer is connected, and the CD player which I practically never use. The turntable ended up acting as an ornament, I haven't used it for some time.
 
You have to have some crazy passion for vinyl to make all that work worthwhile. My brother has stayed true to loving vinyl and bless him for all that work for, pleasant, but compromised sound.

I think he likes the process so probably sounds extra sweet to his ears. For me, a turntable wouldn't even be an ornament. I would rather have the free space.
 
You have to have some crazy passion for vinyl to make all that work worthwhile. My brother has stayed true to loving vinyl and bless him for all that work for, pleasant, but compromised sound.

I think he likes the process so probably sounds extra sweet to his ears. For me, a turntable wouldn't even be an ornament. I would rather have the free space.

too much work, or rather, too many variables to explore which in the long run made me tired. I no longer listened to music, but I spent a lot of time adjusting, moving, changing, weighing...
The world of vinyl is beautiful and fascinating, but now with a good Dac and Roon at the monthly price of half an LP I listen to everything I want. above all, I discovered a myriad of artists, with Roon's radios, that I would never have listened to with vinyl or even with CD.
 
question to those who already own it: how do you think the gain of this preamp? do you have to stay close to zero to hear at a good volume? practical example: xlr-xlr, -10 already becomes an annoying volume or are you inclined to raise it further? thanks to those who want to share!
 
The Pre90 has ample gain for most users. I tend to operate in the -40 to -32 range most of the time. -10 approaches concert volume levels with my system.
 
The Pre90 has ample gain for most users. I tend to operate in the -40 to -32 range most of the time. -10 approaches concert volume levels with my system.
Thank you. certainly my current speakers are really inefficient so with each amplifier the throttle must be raised more. I have to stay around -10. I will try another pair of speakers anyway, just to have a comparison.
 
Mine tops out at +10. Is that absolute dB? I don't actually know. Is there an update I missed?

Bought my Pre90 in February just for reference.
 
Mine tops out at +10. Is that absolute dB? I don't actually know. Is there an update I missed?

Bought my Pre90 in February just for reference.
RCA or XLR output?
 
??? You should be able to get +16 with XLR in/out. Check your manual.
 
I get you. All XLR in and out.

+10 is the top of the displayed output.

In any case, there is more than enough gain available.
 
The gain on the Pre90 tops out at +16dB. Whether you need it depends on what it feeds and what feeds it.
tried the system with other speakers, it sounds louder. The speakers I'm using have a good 82 db, so it goes without saying that the knob definitely needs to be turned. I would say the amp is above all suspicion.
 
Thanks, yes I saw it. I now only use the DAC as a source, to which the computer is connected, and the CD player which I practically never use. The turntable ended up acting as an ornament, I haven't used it for some time.
Don't under estimate the values of vinyl (when well engineered and played on a quality set-up). Many tracks sound better under those (sadly, too often, 'expensive') conditions than they do on the equivalent digitally streamed alternative. ;)
 
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