My current setup is miniDSP Flex balanced - Aiyima A70 driving Dali Opticons 2 MK2 + RSL Speedwoofer 10s MKII. I'm thinking of switching Aiyima A70 for 2 Topping B200 monoblocks but I'm not sure if I'll be able to hear any improvements with my current setup. I know it would be the best to try it myself but it's impossible to do that unless i buy them and get them shipped to my place, and that is quite costly just for a test...What do you think?
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Will I be able to hear any improvements with my current setup if I switch to Topping B200?
- Thread starter Nixxla
- Start date
JeremyFife
Major Contributor
You probably already know the answer to this 
Take a look at the reviews and the measurements.
The Topping amps are very quiet indeed ... but if you are not bothered by noise (hiss) and you can already play loud enough then you are really unlikely to get any audible benefit from any amp upgrade.
I'll assume that you have measured your system, and used the miniDSP to adjust accordingly. If not, that is your first next step.
Usual (but good) advice: save your money and, if you really need to upgrade something, start looking at your speakers. I quite like Dali but they are rarely neutral and there are great choices at that level.
Enjoy the music
Take a look at the reviews and the measurements.
The Topping amps are very quiet indeed ... but if you are not bothered by noise (hiss) and you can already play loud enough then you are really unlikely to get any audible benefit from any amp upgrade.
I'll assume that you have measured your system, and used the miniDSP to adjust accordingly. If not, that is your first next step.
Usual (but good) advice: save your money and, if you really need to upgrade something, start looking at your speakers. I quite like Dali but they are rarely neutral and there are great choices at that level.
Enjoy the music
Just from my experience with various Dalis I think it will be hard to get more out of that pair than you already have.
I guess there is a difference when you swap the amp, but audible and really noteworthy - rather slim chance.
I guess there is a difference when you swap the amp, but audible and really noteworthy - rather slim chance.
- Thread Starter
- #4
I don't have any hiss with my current setup A70 has already quite good SINAD. The main reason I'm considering B200 is distortions above 1kHz (Power vs Distortion graph).You probably already know the answer to this
Take a look at the reviews and the measurements.
The Topping amps are very quiet indeed ... but if you are not bothered by noise (hiss) and you can already play loud enough then you are really unlikely to get any audible benefit from any amp upgrade.
I'll assume that you have measured your system, and used the miniDSP to adjust accordingly. If not, that is your first next step.
Usual (but good) advice: save your money and, if you really need to upgrade something, start looking at your speakers. I quite like Dali but they are rarely neutral and there are great choices at that level.
Enjoy the music
And I've already measured and adjusted the system, and I like the overall sound...I was just wondering if I can improve it more without changing the speakers (I got these Dalis for really good deal)
staticV3
Grand Contributor
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See here:
Is SINAD around 5-15 KHz relevant?
I’m trying to build some active 3-way bookshelves. At this point, I need to decide for amp selection for my high frequency >2.5 KHz. I love Hypex products and will be powering the low end and midrange with hypex modules. I’m a bit hesitant about the tweeter amplification. Most newer class D...
www.audiosciencereview.com
My honest and maybe blatant opinion is to sell your Dali and then buy a better pair of speaker. Ascilab F6B or similar. That is the biggest improvement you can get.
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No
- Thread Starter
- #9
I'm actually quite satisfied with the sound of my current setup. I was just wondering if there is anything I can do to squeeze the maximum out of speakers that i already have.
Before I ended up with Opticons I tested KEF LS50 Meta for about week before I returned them. I like Dalis soundstage much better. I haven't tried Ascilab though - how do they sound off axis? Can they fill the room like Dalis?
kemmler3D
Master Contributor
You already used EQ and you have a good amp so the answer is probably no, unless you find yourself saying "damn, the distortion from that amp is really bothering me"...
Working on placement and room acoustics, fine tuning your DSP, or new speakers are your realistic options for better sound.
staticV3
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Yes, but it doesn't come from new Amps or DACs.
The best thing you can do is apply room correction and anechoic speaker correction, as well as install room treatment.
ZolaIII
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No you won't, eventually if there is some static when not playing anything will went away.
Buy another sub and cross them at 120 Hz 2.2 if you want to improve them (current speakers).
They are on less efficient side (83 dB) but if you have enough power now you will have even more after you cross them higher.
I must say it's predecessor whose better in every way at cost of little lower impedance (about 1 Ohms).
Buy another sub and cross them at 120 Hz 2.2 if you want to improve them (current speakers).
They are on less efficient side (83 dB) but if you have enough power now you will have even more after you cross them higher.
I must say it's predecessor whose better in every way at cost of little lower impedance (about 1 Ohms).
Not by upgrading the amp.
If you prefer your Dali over LS50 Meta there is not many options, because the Uni-Q driver should have very wide dispersion. You can try some room correction solution but EQ can't fix the soundstage
DVDdoug
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I've NEVER heard distortion from ANYTHING unless it was broken or over-driven into distortion. i.e. If you "try" to get 200W out of a 100W amplifier, or some speakers or headphones can distort, especially if you boost the bass and turn it up.
...With SINAD I might consider the "N", but I don't really worry about the "D".
Dali is pretty consistent with their "sound flavor" throughout the lineup. If you like what they are doing, maybe try some other pair a level or two up.
Personally I can recommend the Rubikore series.
Bleib
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Yes, loudspeakers / rooms have far more distorsion, if I've heard anything from an amp then it's hissing or otherwise poor SNRI've NEVER heard distortion from ANYTHING unless it was broken or over-driven into distortion. i.e. If you "try" to get 200W out of a 100W amplifier, or some speakers or headphones can distort, especially if you boost the bass and turn it up.
...With SINAD I might consider the "N", but I don't really worry about the "D".
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