TP RA3 Rackmount Amplifier Review

[Matias]

I have two TP RA3 amps in a rack driving some KEF Q350s via the XOVER-3B active crossover kit. Both units are hissing horribly, and it’s not just one—they’re both failing. The noise floor seems to be increasing almost daily. These amps are out of warranty, and I can confidently say: stay far away from this product. Complete garbage.

Even out of warranty, IMO you should write Topping and ask for service or troubleshooting. Maybe they can help?

 

[Everett T]

You sure it's not your speaker mods that could be the issue?

 

[Tovarich007]

I can't see why it could be a problem caused by the active filter ? but after all it has to be checked. Why not unplug this active filter for a while and listen to the KEF as passive as they originally were ?
Or, have you tried your both units on other speakers, preferably passive full range, and see and listen what's happening (or not) ?

On your system, did this issue happened suddenly ? After how long time of use ? you write it's worsening day after day. It could by the caps, what you describe is a common symptom for caps failure after some time of use. But that's just an hypothesis, you have to investigate more before call this model "complete garbage". I understand your disappointment, but other people use it without problems. And of course you have to contact Topping and describe what's happening.

Of course, I'm aware of complaints about small and more severe reliability problems concerning Topping models (and other so called budget good chinese brands since a few years). I myself has a minor probem on my Topping DX7S bought second hand. Maybe these issues are not big numbers among all the items sold, but that's too frequently read on forums since a few years to be just bad luck. Topping should definitely take more into account these complaints and focus more on quality control, reliability and client service. Performances on the test bench are not enough to set a brand good reputation.

Anyway, I'm always embarassed to read words like "complete garbage". All in all, that's excessive.
With an improvement on control quality and reliability, their products, which are already very good when they work fine, could be among the best, but they're not yet because of this growing relability concern.

 

[Count Arthur]

Finally a collaboration between Topping and Ikea.

Users will be able to define their own rack depending on their needs, for the lower cost of this part of the galaxy.

View attachment 296384

Looks like Ikea make some pretty wobbly tables:

 

[DavidM1]

I have two TP RA3 amps in a rack driving some KEF Q350s via the XOVER-3B active crossover kit. Both units are hissing horribly, and it’s not just one—they’re both failing. The noise floor seems to be increasing almost daily. These amps are out of warranty, and I can confidently say: stay far away from this product. Complete garbage.

The obvious question is what happens when you isolate the amps from the rest of the system by connecting different speakers and different source components. Obvious, as I said, so perhaps you've tried it?