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XDUOO MT-605 tube Amp vs Topping PA3s listening comparison

Monamtb

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Sep 21, 2024
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Hello all,

Based on Amir's reviews of the Topping PA3s amplifier and the Topping D10s I bought both and use them as the base of my travel audio system on the PSB Alpha P3 speakers.

The Topping D10s runs a Sparkos 3602 dual op amp.
Overall the sound is quite nice but sometimes the sound is quite harsh especially in the highs. So I wanted to see if there is an option to change something on the Topping PA3s board.

Opening the amp is easy - simply remove the 2 x 2mm Allen screws on the sides of the rear of the amp.
But the board/ rear panel unit only comes out so far - and a more hefty pull got the board out - and revealed a 4 pin connector to the front of the board/rear panel that now hang loose.
The front panel is held by 2 x 2 mm Allen screws as well but those are about 14 mm deep in the case in a screw port that can only be accessed by a very long 2 mm hex key/ allen key which is very hard to get.

You have to feed it through the case hole that is threaded at the upper end to hold the rear panel screws. Took me a couple of days to figure out how that worked without breaking it.

First I unscrewed the front panel with my super long 2mm allen key - once it was released I had to insert the rear panel/board again so the 4-pin connector would stick out enough to now be connected to the front panel with the on/off power button and input selector button unit with the 4-pin connector - then screw the front panel back in place with the super long allen key fed through the rear panel/board screw hole.
Once the front panel set tight I could screw in the rear panel/board screws - and finally fit the 10mm nut to the volume dial at the front.

Needless to say there was no op-amp option to be found to change sound signature somewhat.

I was always interested in the Xduoo MT-605 but couldn't find any reviews whatsoever on it.
So I just bought one - hooked it up to the Topping D10s and the Alpha P3's - and goodness me, was I blown away by what that little unit put out.
Apparently it has about half the power ( 2x 30 w) of the PA 3s (2 x 70 w) but I can't go even on half dial of the volume for room listening since the volume is such that it is enough to irritate my hotel room neighbours.
In good recordings like Linda Ronstadt's CRY LIKE A RAINSTORM the soundstage, instrument seperation, voices, and instrument seperation is simply wonderful - it is such a joy to listen to the music with this little amp. I like the sound signature quite a bit more than on the Topping.
Needless to say, opening the Xduoo is a breeze compared to the PA3s and what I see inside beats what I bought from Topping for me.
Hefty speaker binding post connectors with thick cables to the board, high quality parts - as far as I can judge - see the pictures attached.
Needless to say I love the look and wonderful glow of the tube of the unit.

Hopefully someone can send a unit to Amir for testing - I would be curious if my sound perception is reflected in the measurements. Even though it is an older and less used chipset ( TI TPA 3116) I absolutely love the sound it puts out.
The PSB Alpha 3s put out such a balanced sound, a punchy and tight bass as much as the speakers allow ( for handmade music).

I wonder if anybody else has some experience with this XDUOO MT-605 unit that either confirms or contradicts my experience.

I absolutely love it and wonder why it is so much under the radar.

Granted, the Topping has balanced inputs, but traveling I have all my gear on RCA connectors - so I don't need that.


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