Topping A30Pro Review (Balanced Headphone Amplifier)

This is a technical review of the Topping A3Pro balanced headphone amplifier. It was kindly sent to me for testing by the company. This is also a tutorial on how to read objective measurements of headphone amplifiers.
You can read the text version of this review here: www.audioscien...
P.S. Forgot to change the text in the video from last video ("Do Fancy Audio Cables Make a Difference?") to this one. Sorry about that. :)

[@PappLacc]

I case you didn't know, the developer of this amp is also commenting here, so big thumbs up for him! :)

[@csmarkham]

The explanations of why these measurements matter, thresholds electronic and audio make these reviews/analysis better than anything else for a consumer. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Subscribed.

[@carter7036]

It’s so awesome to see that you’re making videos now, Amir! I hope your videos continue for a long time. Thank you for the important contribution you make to the community. Your measurements have been really valuable to me as I’ve just started getting into audio.

[@jr-6025]

These videos compliment the written reviews very well. Been very productive on this channel.

[@chefsteve8381]

This amp has just gone to top of my list of must gets, thanks Amir, your on top of my list to of must watch reviewers.

[@Theatre_Of_Noise]

These videos are just fantastic. Thank you Amir!

[@AudioScienceReview]

Great. This is the fuel I need to do more!

[@rekkiesbub423]

great to see ASR is finally kicking off the youtube channel, thanks for the outstanding review sir Amir :)

[@AudioScienceReview]

My pleasure. Thanks for the kind remarks.

[@AudioScienceReview]

@@vo4wb Big money's first move should be to show similar measurements. If results are different, I am more than happy to engage with them to see what is going on. I have done that with Denon, Benchmark, etc.

[@viciadoemhalo3]

@@vo4wb Honest audio product reviews are not something which anyone would ever have an interest in censoring. Audio is a small niche and not a big deal in the power scheme. Well, talking about real censorship, in my country a journalist was illegally arrested, tortured by the federal police until he was left crippled and his social media accounts were taken down because he revealed the evil of our supreme court. And he is constantly defamed by all of our mainstream media. pbs.twimg.com/media/Esx7EB1XAAUQpC_.jpg Oswaldo Eustaquio, crippled for life and treated like a criminal for spreading the truth.

[@JohSno]

Loving these short, to the point reviews.

[@AudioScienceReview]

Fantastic. I get beat up that they are too long though by some people!

[@teme9333]

Fantastic review Amir. You're a natural on youtube. I would really like to see E30 & L30 reviews as well.

[@Andy-qk4bl]

Thank you very much fore taking the time to explain how to read measurements, I am not new to audio but this was a bit too technical for me to understand, now I get it! Also, I vote for the chosen panther in the background ;)

[@AudioScienceReview]

My pleasure. As to panther, as I just explained to someone else, they don't come cheap! They have a labor contract with me that only covers still pictures. They are demanding tons more money for video rights!!!

[@MegaFacePlanter]

Thank you Amir, I finally understand all the graphs now hahaha

[@AudioScienceReview]

My pleasure. Talking is a lot easier when it comes to explaining things so I thought I take advantage of that in these videos. I didn't realize so many people appreciated that though so will do more in the future.

[@MegaFacePlanter]

@@AudioScienceReview Please do, it's very educational and informative!

[@killroy123]

@@AudioScienceReview As a suggestion, would it be possible to do a video where you walk through each of the graphs separately? It would be nice to have the video as a reference that you could point to if people are coming in and reading your reviews for the first time.

[@chrispapa6700]

Thank you for your hard work and the knowledge you provide from the videos and the forum.

[@noleftturnunstoned]

I found you!! Your reviews are solid gold. Thank you so much.

[@Cujobob]

Thanks for doing the video review in addition to your written review! I like the disclosure you put in the written review regarding managing risk with buying the product as Topping has had a few products that required immediate revisions. They're rushing products to market a bit quickly, but what you get is pretty crazy for the price in terms of pure sound quality.

[@Gabriel-of-YouTube]

Thank you for this great review, I'm starting to understand these measurements more and more.

[@plasticpippo201]

every time i watch one of your videos i learn something new. thanks Amir!

[@clementc7297]

Thank you very much for your wonderful work. You are the right person to explain why tube amps sound different. Maybe it could be something you can show in the future. It is too much to ask for, however I would be pleased.

[@fwabble]

We are so lucky to have this man

[@さかたぎんとき-v3y]

Can you put the pink panther in the background?

[@AudioScienceReview]

My contract with the panthers does not include video rights! Donate a few thousand dollars and I will see if I can change their mind. :D

[@rockfella27]

@@AudioScienceReview Hahahahaha :)

[@deafno]

@@AudioScienceReview maybe it's time for the panther to retire and let the community create a new mascot (if you do not want to make it yourself) Great videos in any case!

[@pascaljean2333]

@@AudioScienceReview people display anime or cartoon figures all the time. I doubt it is a problem. If it is KZbin will just tell you.

[@petermilne9859]

@@pascaljean2333 Whoosh!

[@iandeval351]

Great review Amir. From super-sensitive IEMs to power hungry high impedance headphones this amp excels in every area. If you need just one headphone amp to do it all this has to be the one. Let's hope the price is going to be competitive.

[@tkelong3569]

Sounds amazing! Also using a 1/4 to XLR adapter for the XLR input on front. Really beautiful sound. Picked up the D30 Pro also. Using as a pre with Yamaha MGP32X mixer. Absolutely beautiful sound especially with Apple Music doing 24/192 lossless! Lovely. Thanks again for the review. ✌🏾

[@Drejfus]

Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge and experience with us. You are doing a great job and it is a pleasure to watch your materials!

[@enhncr]

Audio science. The only source of audio facts. Thanks

[@banihex]

Thank you so much for these videos! It’s crazy how much snake oil and nonsense is out there, it was giving me a headache trying to find a new headphone amp, and this does exactly what I need with the exact connections.

[@EricAjimine]

Being an engineer, I like this approach. I recall seeing this review before and was a reason why I got this in for review from Amazon. Using Sundaras, I had the Singxer and A30 Pro in at the same time (both in balanced mode) fed by a Topping E50 with Apple lossless music ripped from CDs. Ended up with the Singxer. A30 was a bit sharp for me in the trebles. Maybe the Sundara has issues in upper trebles? (by the way, I had EQd them per Amir's other review with APO).

[@bheypuor]

Might be many next headphone amp. I’m satisfied with k5 pro but this looks like end game material! Thank you for the in depth review with graphs and explanation. subscribed!

[@harryrupam01]

I'm an Aune X1s Pro user. I've just ordered A30 Pro today. It just looks like an endgame for single ended headphones, at least for now. What headphones do you use with k5 pro?

[@britishskiing]

No way!! I always wondered what you looked/sounded like!

[@rokiedecentra9656]

Appreciate taking actual measurements of the power output since many are false advertising.....

[@ionutzxpo]

I'm so glad that you started to make youtube presentations :D

[@harryrupam01]

As usual, an excellent, thorough and in depth review Amir. Can you review Aune X1s 2021 edition and compare them with A30 pro? I've heard they improved the circuitry in this edition. 🙂

[@TonyAguirreJazz]

Fantastic review! WOW. Just ordered!

[@gatobakuniano]

With this one on the market, they are kinda cannibalizing themselves, no? The a90 stays only for people that need a lot of power on their headphones? Or there is another reason to go for the a90 instead of the a30 pro??

[@tkelong3569]

Thank you! Ordered one today. Should sound great with DT-880 headphones.

[@robertfontaine3650]

This amp is far more perfect than anyone could ever need.

[@alanaggett6039]

Great informative review, many thanks.

[@tomperrone1195]

Could you kindly list your reference music tracks?

[@suprememaster1951]

FINALLY A VIDEO REVIEW BY PINK PANTHER GUY!

[@HiFiGOAudio]

I upgraded my L30 to this A30 Pro. Satisfied with its performance on Hifiman Sundara and iBasso SR2.

[@Anomalyn1]

does Sundara's bass sound more dynamic and punchy with stronger amplifier?

[@Marcin-j8q]

Hi . How to connect this amp with sound card AIM SC808 ?

[@bernaquinonezreveles2952]

With RCA cables bro RCA left and right to the inputs RCA of A30pro

[@Yuu_Touko]

I just ordered this for my DT 800 600 Ohm.

[@biko331966]

Hi, I really enjoy your videos. lately, I´ve seen an interview in which you told the reporter that you worked for Sony in computer systems but started to sneak in audio. I just have a question on your experience in Sony: I compared the broadcasting series of products (amplifier of SRP line) and found that sounds way better than sony premium line. Is correct my view? are professional equipment better (or sound better) that home premium gear? I compared (with my human ears) a jbl urei 6260 with a threshold, mcintosh, and other amps, and found it unbeatable. The same happened when compared home gear with professional hafler amps. Is correct my interpretation? Best regards and please keep posting.

[@topaz5960]

Thanks for the review Sir!

[@anselm2642]

Just a question about the headphone volume imbalance vs volume position graph. Is the channel difference, ie the blue dotted line, normalized according to the output RMS voltage? Otherwise even though the line remains flat during most of the test, the actual ratio between the difference and channel level increases significantly. Thinking again, I feel like it has to be normalized to the output voltage, but in any case it is good to check with the expert!

[@jasonfranciosa]

Amir, could you run a power test with a 2v input?

[@SkeledroMan]

Is there a way for you to directly measure the current output of a headphone amp?

[@AudioScienceReview]

You can but it is also implicit in the measurements shown. Just divide voltage by the load used in the measurement and you have current. Someone did the math on ASR forum thread.

[@SkeledroMan]

@@AudioScienceReview great thx

[@Pigmarine9000]

I know this is an old video, but do you think this could sufficiently power like an HE-6?

[@fixxxer4234]

do you think i can use this without the D30 pro for my Arya? Can i go lower with price for dac?

[@ssl3883]

good review to follow

[@skyeait5939]

i bought it today and will be here tomorrow, no reviews about, this is the first, but Topping right? lol

[@raysrcsandtech]

This or the DX7 Pro or A50s+D50s+P50, mainly a Sennhiser guy, 58x and 650, in your view what might sound the best for my headphones ?

[@deafno]

DX7 Pro has higher than desirable output impedance. A50s has much lower output power (will not get as loud as A30pro which can get extremely loud), but depending how you listen your headphones it might be enough. I would go for A30pro + D10pro (upcoming, not released yet).

[@Jordonater]

wish topping would make a properly powerful speaker amp.

[@vuquoctran1678]

Have you tried to listen with hifiman he-560? Can it be drived well?

[@AndytoWood]

My sifting through the opposing opinions, I am landing on that the A30Pro seems like a great buy, but the D30Pro might be a little out of it’s price point - does anyone have any opinions or recommendations for similar priced better value DACs I can pair with the amp, or for example, would paying a bit more for a Gustard x16 (seemingly highly regarded amp + BT) be a reasonable consideration? Or is that all nonsense and the D30 pro is a perfectly fine companion at it’s price?

[@deafno]

If only thing you want is audio from PC, then you can get Topping D10B and electrically (and audibly) it will be as good as 2k$ neutral DACs. Well, it electrically it can be even better than some ultra high expensive DACs since they are more focused on audio mythlogy than performance.

[@nzed4891]

Hope this is gonna cost more than the L30 or I'm getting sick as I have just requested a replacement instead of just sending it back to amazon and I would really get annoyed if I could get this for almost the same price as the L30.

[@AudioScienceReview]

I am pretty sure this is in the next higher tier pricing than L30. So no worries there.

[@nzed4891]

@@AudioScienceReview I'm a bit happier then now :D

[@PreacherwithoutaPulpit]

Thank you for this but I have to ask is this truly a balanced amp? There are so many reviewers with reviews claiming this amp is not in fact balanced. One even claimed in a response to me that he talked to Topping Engineers and they confirmed to him that it is not a balanced amp. If that is true then those same peopled lied in all the marketing materials and information they provide for this amp. I would be really thankful for your help on this issue. I realize it comes dangerously close to creating drama but I want the truth. I'm tired of paying a premium for devices that are being marketed as balanced that are not in fact balanced. Thank for your time if you read and reply to this comment. I have this amp on the way basically because of this review. I got a pretty good deal on ebay for an open box unit... Oh, sorry this comment is so long after your review and thank you for your site that I've been reading the comments and reviews on it.

[@tycheesey]

This amp is single ended only, with connections that let you use balanced connectors as a convenience.

[@frederf69]

@@tycheesey not mentioned in the review.

[@deafno]

It has balanced input connectors which is way more practical than balanced amplifier architecture and output. Balanced audio line connections are standard in pro audio.

[@SkeledroMan]

Do you not measure Multitone or IMD for headphone amps?

[@AudioScienceReview]

I only do those for DACs. I could add them to amps but at some point you wind up with so many graphs that people just skip over them. Occasionally I have done multitone.

[@SkeledroMan]

@@AudioScienceReview can't hurt to have more measurements. And the amp reviews are definitely looking shorter than the DAC ones right now.

[@phuyoon]

My question is This or A90?

[@prateeksamuel8603]

Excellent review like always 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌 i wonder if somebody was trying to put dirt on topping 🤔🤔🤔🤔🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐 because L30 was gonna be number 1 cleanest headphone amp. Topping is not a rookie brand. Just saying there can be some weird people out there doing dirt for a dollar. 🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@r423fplip]

Very true. I have the l30 amp, no problems for me. I use it most days, it's so good for the money.

[@AudioScienceReview]

I prefer to not go there. The one person with issues was a regular member of ASR member and I see no indication of bad intent.

[@nurhandrio]

I just quickly compared A30Pro and A90 ASR reviews, if I read the measurements right, does the cheaper A30Pro produce more current and power than the A90? Then objectively speaking, the A30Pro is better than the A90?

[@apkenna]

Single ended yes! Balanced output, not even close. A90 still king. One thing to notice, the A30 Pro is ONLY a single ended output amp, meaning that even if it has balanced inputs and balanced outputs, you ONLY gonna get single ended power. A bit of false advertisement by the looks but once you read specs, it does say is not a true balance amp.

[@christianhawkins6947]

@@apkenna How is it not a balanced amp if I connect my headphones via the port on the front via balance cable?

[@techsurvival101]

@@christianhawkins6947 Internally the A30 Pro is not a balanced amplifier, however they provide “balanced” XLR and 4.4mm connections on the front for convenience. That way you don’t have to buy a new headphone cable if you have a balanced cable already. A true balanced amp, like the Topping A90 would provide double the power from the balanced connectors than it would from the single ended connectors. The A30 Pro has the same power output regardless of which output you use, but this shouldn’t be a problem as it produces so much power anyway.

[@prateeksamuel8603]

Second!!!! 🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@carlosvilhenavieira6968]

Very nice review, hope to another one about streamers......

[@nonchalantd]

♥

[@TheRockerxx69]

I wish they could make a balanced, xlr in, xlr out , rca in rca out. Pre amp -- 4 inputs !!! Then l won t be needing anything else.

[@prateeksamuel8603]

They do its called Topping Pre90 you need to get Pre 90+Ext90 then you have two rca inputs and more than 3 xlr inputs and 1 rca out and 1 xlr out. All xlrs are balanced.

[@drivn4895]

Which of Toppings offerings has the R2R ladder?

[@prateeksamuel8603]

Topping pre90 preamplifier. I have it an i love it 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@Ratseeker]

nice how little the shift in distortion the THX high gain is.

[@johnyang799]

It's just noise. THX has much higher noise in unity gain.

[@andysummersthxcinemaandmyc7748]

Amir, get some liquid cooling and test this again see if the temperature change makes difference.

[@yogiwp_]

So this is above A50s? Or does that mean A50Pro is coming? Hmm...

[@deafno]

A30pro better than A50s yes.

[@pascaljean2333]

What are the Watts per channel at 32ohm?

[@MrLimaify]

S.M.S.L. SH-9 vs. A30 Pro? Which one and why?

[@AudioScienceReview]

Please ask on ASR forum. As soon as I test one of these, I forget about them. :)

[@apkenna]

You want balanced or single ended? That sums it up.

[@MrLimaify]

@@apkenna single ended

[@stephenoverton8352]

Easily the most informative video about headphone amplifiers I've seen on KZbin recently. This EXPERT can provide more detailed and technical information in 10 minutes than Steven Ciofalo(Zeos Pantera), DMS, Joshua Valour and all those other subjective jerk off reviewers can provide in 35 minutes...LOL.

[@Nick_4i]

There seems to be a bit of conflicting information between this video and the written review. Are the rear outputs pre outs or just passthroughs? Apologies if I missed a clarification somewhere.

[@AudioScienceReview]

Apologies for that. When I did the video I implicitly assumed it was a pre-amp which it is not. The text review is updated with a note to reflect that.

[@Nick_4i]

@@AudioScienceReview thanks for letting me know. the passthrough is better for my system anyway!

[@bbfoto7248]

@@AudioScienceReview Amir, you can choose to "pin" your comment with this information to always appear at the top as the 1st Comment so everyone reads it first. It's a good practice when these types of corrections or new information arises, such as this or the MSRP $. Also can edit the video description area as well.

[@ExSkyCyclePilot]

This is not a balanced amplifier, not that it matters. It has balanced headphones output plugs for convenience, but the electronics driving them are not balanced. The HPA4 is designed the same way. Also, when using the passthrough function, it appears this amp does not control the volume. It would have to be controlled by the DAC, so, when listening to headphones, you'd want your DAC in DAC mode, but you'd have to switch it to Preamp mode when using the passthrough to control the speakers. If you forget to switch modes, and turned the headphones amp off, the full volume of the DAC would be suddenly sent to your powered speakers! I'm not sure I understand this design choice.

[@whiskeykilmer1866]

Thanks

[@OverHaze]

As well as it measures I'd find it hard to trust Topping. At least for a while. It's hard to get past the L30 amps exploding.

[@AudioScienceReview]

I hear you. They need to re-earn your trust.

[@exif6839]

Topping... where do you get this devices from?

[@abdo-dr1tu]

Amazon

[@Princeton_James]

Apos

[@jd2plus2]

Only buy from Amazon or Apos , I bought from China , D90 mqa after 5 months flickered and died . $130. Canadian to return it . $80 by ship ( 3 months) . Very unfortunate, loved it . My A90 still working .

[@exif6839]

@@jd2plus2 I bought a benchmark DAC2 a few months ago. Very cheap because internal power supply was defect. The exact replacement was not possible because mot RHOS confirmed. So short looking to Amazon and bought an external power supply with better specifications and adapted the housing of the benchmark for a dc plug instead mains connector. The results are amazing. Works really fine with less heat dissipation in the housing. Perfect deal.

[@apkenna]

Your title says Balanced amp, but is advertised as a powerful single ended amp, even tho it offers balanced outputs, it performs at single ended power. Can you please clarify and perhaps adjust your title.

[@ExSkyCyclePilot]

You're correct. This is clearly stated on Topping's website. The biggest issue I see with this amp is that the preamp output, which most people will use to run powered speakers, is a simple passthrough with no volume control.

[@bb1televator]

Just ordered this unit to try and drive some argons unbalanced. Hope it’s enough lol

[@MachielGroeneveld]

One take.

[@AudioScienceReview]

It is. Any more than that and it will slow me down heavily which I can't afford. So you all have to put up with pauses, hmmms, etc. :)

[@t.renzetti1292]

How much it will cost?

[@vitalii1372]

Waiting for the price!

[@Princeton_James]

$349.99

[@daviddavidsonn3578]

I have 16 ohms at 1kHz Sony headphones, will they work well with this amp?

[@AudioScienceReview]

Yes.

[@christianhawkins6947]

Went from Asgard 3 to this.

[@sy0635]

How does it compare?

[@looyoo0-u6i]

I want it it’s cute

[@Error_4x5]

Cool, NwAvGuy has a KZbin channel 😉

[@thewolfthi]

Amir, i know you are new to KZbin but i gotta tell you, you do a bit too many mistakes in your editing, "Do Fancy Audio Cables Make a Difference?" title there in this video, should not be there. Also in your full size clips Audiosciencereviews text is spelled wrong (which is also the same thing in your other videos). No hate at all from me here, i love your videos but these things could be fixed.

[@frederf69]

Warranty with Topping? When it goes wrong...

[@malinyamato]

Does anyone still listen to ASR and Amir!? You shouldn't! I have been working as a computer engineer in China and Japan for most of my life. I have meet audio engineers in Japan working for Fostex, Denon, Onkyo, Marantz, Rotel and Sony. I have met Ken Ishiwata. I understand Chinese and I am near native in Japanese. Audio Science Review is not to be trusted as they are too corrupted and fully bribed by cheap Chinese audio makers especially by Topping and cheap audio makers in Shensen. What they produce is not what you will enjoy as a critical listener and the quality is poor. What ASR focus on is THD, that as a coincidence, is what all Chi-fi makers are focused on totally neglecting what consumers enjoy. ASR is doing measurements to make Toppings look good but in the end you won't enjoy as a listener. I have hardly any Chifi gear, I use high end stuff from Rotel, IFI, Fostex, Rega, B&W, REL acoustics, Audeze, Denon and Marantz. One exception is SMSL D1SE which i use as a DAC. ASR is a total waste of time. I was a senior member there but I decided to fuck them badly because of their bootlicking of cheap chinese makers. If Amir stop licking their boots he will become a homeless beggar. ASR is irrelevant and as a consumer your listening experience won't improve by following what they say. ASR is declining and will vanish... RIP ASR.

[@marekkouril7134]

How many headphones will be destroyed?

[@r423fplip]

About the same with other amplifiers.

[@johnyang799]

None.

[@lambda7652]

@@r423fplip How many other amplifier can pump >5W in your low ohm headphones if you flip the gain switch to high?

[@FOH3663]

None were harmed in the creation of this video content.

[@Notinserviceij]

​@lambda7652 that's user error, seriously

[@frederf69]

It is not balanced; bogus product & review.

[@deafno]

There is confusion about the term balanced in headphone amplifiers, but I believe the video title references the fact that A30pro has balanced inputs option.

[@Notinserviceij]

Not really, lots of music you listen to has been made with tape desks connected by rca You are full of 💩

[@clarencelim212]

Just a garbage review

[@stuka78]

Hey Clarence, where is yours?

[@이삭-w2q]

trol

[@07wrxtr1]

Clarence - You're one of those huh? "Only the 911 GT3 is a real Porsche". Ya know, not all of "us people" need absolute "perfection" in audio. I have been on both sides with photography equipment. Guess what, unless you do it for a living, and sell/make $$, there's little point for "most people" to blow excessive amounts of money chasing that very last 5% of performance. This is true across almost all consumer electronics, and same in the automotive world. Not everyone has endless disposable income. Some people are fine with "good enough" for their purposes. Do you actually have anything of SUBSTANCE to contribute or are you just in "low energy" mode with the short negative comments? Maybe change that diet of yours will lead to less anger issues...