Topping Pre90 Review (preamplifier)

[SoySalsaPicante]

On amazon.de it is available https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0716T6ZR8
On the US site currently unavailable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0716T6ZR8
However, there are many that are essentially the same product. Like this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NK74M5R where the receiver has a different color in the figures, but it is in fact quite deep dark red also in mine. I guess the difference is just ambient lighting and/or post processing.
This one seems to be the same as mine https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5MBND61

Thanks so much!

 

[mocenigo]

Thanks so much!

And I cannot stress enough how good that is. IR reception is now on par with the best devices I have even used with IR remotes. Some buyers on amazon complain that after some time the quality degraded. I would check the connectors in that case, and possibly clean them from oxidation (something that should be done with all connectors anyway), as they are not of the greatest quality.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

And I cannot stress enough how good that is. IR reception is now on par with the best devices I have even used with IR remotes. Some buyers on amazon complain that after some time the quality degraded. I would check the connectors in that case, and possibly clean them from oxidation (something that should be done with all connectors anyway), as they are not of the greatest quality.

Appreciate it. I have temporarily held off on ordering one from Amazon only because my D90 III Sabre arrives later today. If the DAC works fine in Pre mode managing volume control (no digital noise floor/artifacts) I may ditch the Pre90 entirely, so then I won't need the IR repeater, but if I find that there are digital noise floor issues (I had these issues with D90 III Discrete before returning it...but perhaps my D90 III Discrete was defective? It was running fine through Pre90 but there were audible clicks and other noise when used in Pre mode, but then one day everything PCM 44.1KHz suddenly had a hiss/noise and no amount of resetting/power on/off fixed it, so I returned it as defective and ordered this D90 III Sabre instead) then I will keep the Pre90 and get one of these repeaters. Right now I have a WiiM Ultra streamer attached to RCA in on the Pre90 and Eversolo DMP-A6 Gen 2 attached to XLR in on the Pre90. I use the WiiM for its superior ARC integration so my family can watch TV with just one (Apple TV 4K) remote, I just leave Pre90 powered on and set to RCA input and -30dB volume all the time when I'm not around, then switch to XLR input when doing critical music listening (previously the D90 III Discrete sat between DMP-A6 Gen 2 and Pre90). If D90 III Sabre works flawlessly in Pre mode, I can hook WiiM Ultra to its Toslink input and Eversolo to it via USB, and just leave the DAC in Optical input and -30dB volume when I'm not around. WiiM Ultra handles 12V trigger signaling to my speakers & sub. WiiM's ARC supports automatic power-on and -off through CEC/ARC signal, unlike Eversolo.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

And I cannot stress enough how good that is. IR reception is now on par with the best devices I have even used with IR remotes. Some buyers on amazon complain that after some time the quality degraded. I would check the connectors in that case, and possibly clean them from oxidation (something that should be done with all connectors anyway), as they are not of the greatest quality.

Went ahead and did this and it’s working beautifully. Thanks again!

 

[dcolak]

The remote control sometimes works sometimes does not. I have no idea when it works and when it does not.

It appears the IR reception is terrible.

Imagine having remote control that works on the second or third try.

Another problem are the "clicks."

When you go volume up or down, you can hear CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK.

The problem is, those clicks are also being heard through the speakers.

Try playing 40Hz tone and using volume up. You will hear "click click" sounds come through the speaker as well.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

The remote control sometimes works sometimes does not. I have no idea when it works and when it does not.

It appears the IR reception is terrible.

Imagine having remote control that works on the second or third try.

Another problem are the "clicks."

When you go volume up or down, you can hear CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK.

The problem is, those clicks are also being heard through the speakers.

Try playing 40Hz tone and using volume up. You will hear "click click" sounds come through the speaker as well.

Yeah I just replaced my DAC with one that has an analog volume control instead. All my other sources either offer digital outputs or I replaced them with something that has digital outputs as well, so my new DAC acts as preamp with excellent remote control instead of relying on a separate analog one with incredibly ****** remote.

 

[dcolak]

I think equipment reviews should include observations like these. A lot of people purchased this preamp not knowing it has huge usability problems.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

I think equipment reviews should include observations like these. A lot of people purchased this preamp not knowing it has huge usability problems.

It's highly likely Amir simply does not sit far enough from the unit during testing to find out this issue. I don't think any tester/reviewer specifically/intentionally tests remote controls from minimum 3 meters away.

 

[dcolak]

It's highly likely Amir simply does not sit far enough from the unit during testing to find out this issue. I don't think any tester/reviewer specifically/intentionally tests remote controls from minimum 3 meters away.

Yes, no one expects to see this expensive equipment with a remote control that does not work.

 

[misterdog]

this expensive equipment

The Benchmark preamp that measures similarly has a much better remote though it costs £ 3500.00.

The remote control is a £ 120 optional extra.

with a remote control that does not work.

It does work, though it prefers direct line of control from distance.

A simple solution for those with issues is to use an IR extender for a small sum as posted a page or so back.

Or just buy a Benchmark.

 

[misterdog]

A lot of people purchased this preamp not knowing it has huge usability problems.

Do you own or have owned one?

 

[dcolak]

The Benchmark preamp that measures similarly has a much better remote though it costs £ 3500.00.

The remote control is a £ 120 optional extra.



It does work, though it prefers direct line of control from distance.

A simple solution for those with issues is to use an IR extender for a small sum as posted a page or so back.

Or just buy a Benchmark.

Really? You are going to say it is ok for the preamp to come with remote control that does not work, in 2026, for 600 USD?!

The cope is real.

 

[dcolak]

Do you own or have owned one?

Of course I own one. That's why I'm sharing my experience with unsuspecting customers. I was one of them.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Yes, no one expects to see this expensive equipment with a remote control that does not work.

It works fine from a meter away.

It doesn't work so fine from three meters away.

The IR extender trick improves things, but it still isn't great.

 

[dcolak]

It works fine from a meter away.

It doesn't work so fine from three meters away.

The IR extender trick improves things, but it still isn't great.

Why would you use remote from a meter away?! My hand is one meter long

The whole point of having a REMOTE control is using it REMOTELY.

What in a world are you guys talking about?!

This pre-amp comes with faulty remote, customers should know about it.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Why would you use remote from a meter away?! My hand is one meter long

The whole point of having a REMOTE control is using it REMOTELY.

What in a world are you guys talking about?!

This pre-amp comes with faulty remote, customers should know about it.

Okay, let me spell it out for you:
I am talking about testing remotes, yeah?

I am talking about, specifically, Amir’s testing.

I am surmising that he sits arm’s reach to the test bench, so if he tests the remote, he’s only a meter away.

Am I clear now?

 

[dcolak]

Okay, let me spell it out for you:
I am talking about testing remotes, yeah?

I am talking about, specifically, Amir’s testing.

I am surmising that he sits arm’s reach to the test bench, so if he tests the remote, he’s only a meter away.

Am I clear now?

Nothing clear about it. This is a review web site, one would assume if a device includes remote you'd review the remote and would not skip over it.

Imagine, 600 USD for a preamp with non-working remote.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Nothing clear about it. This is a review web site, one would assume if a device includes remote you'd review the remote and would not skip over it.

Imagine, 600 USD for a preamp with non-working remote.

My friend, it seems you are right, and my message fails to be clear to you.

Let me state it a different way: I believe Amir is testing the remote, but he is testing it without moving away from his test bench, and at that distance, the remote for Pre90 worked perfectly fine, so he didn’t have any issues to report with it.

 

[Johnkeizer]

My financially well endowed friend bought the Pre90 and extender and being impressed with it, loaned it to me to try.
So, remember this is my take so no warfare please.
Dumb design, using an extender joined by a fairly custom cable.
Yes, remote needs to be pointed directly at the remote receiver.
Sound was clean, clear, with no noise I could detect, but no better than either of my other 2 preamps.
Sound quality very good but again no better than my other 2.
While I have some other Topping products in my collection, the Pre90 will not be added to it.

 

[misterdog]

Imagine, 600 USD for a preamp with non-working remote.

I sit 4 Meters away from mine - it works.

If yours is not working return it.