Topping A90 Discrete Review - Forging Ahead

[@gavinhou3261]

just got my d90le + a90d stack and I'm in love with it.

[@Soundnews]

Main mic was blown, so I used a no-name lavalier. Sorry for mediocre sound quality, a nicer lav mic is already incoming (Rode Lavalier II).

[@VeeHausen]

I did notice this....almost thought my HD650 sounded shouty! LOL!

[@danieldavis3565]

Hi Sandu, thank you for your always great in-depth reviews. They are one of the best I could find online. Much more detailed and insightful as with other webpages. Would you also say that the soundstate is bigger than with the SMSL SP400 or the SMSL SU-10 (even though it is a dac)? I am waiting for the Flux FA-10, but what would in your view would be the closest compared to that amp in detail, clarity and soundstage? 😄

[@Flavius7]

I really feel discrete components is the way to go. Dacs, amps, whatever ! More body, more musical, simply BETTER! And is good news that Topping joined this current! Good one Sandu!👍

[@20puskinas1992]

I think its because the more components you have the more coloration you get. Ofc who care about accuracy when you can have fun. Dac though should be super accurate with amp making everything more creamy.

[@seanb3303]

Nice review. Do you think headphone amps like this make good speaker pre-amps? Or do speakers and headphone preamps require different impedances to be optimal?

[@Soundnews]

Hi Sean. it really depends on the power amp that follows...but generally speaking, A90D is a mighty fine preamp. It has low input and output impedance, so it should preserve the signal integrity of the source and it won't lower the damping factor of the amplifier that follows.

[@김민호12]

항상 재미가 넘치고 항상 즐거운 장비 리뷰 입니다 ^^ 오늘도 감사합니다^^ 앞으로도 게속 부탁해요 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 형님이 최고의 오디오 앰프 장비 리뷰 입니다^ ^

[@frederf69]

good review, thank you. i'll be getting a Schiit Jotunheim2 😁😁

[@jlemaster1157]

Another great review! I purchased A90D to pair with D90SE after watching/reading your review of D90SE. Re soundstage- in this video you did not indicate the DAC you were using to obtain your user impressions but in your written review you mention pairing it with the Chord Dave DAC. How well did A90D project the wide and deep soundstage of TOTL DACs like the Dave compared to mid-fi DACs like D90SE? Does it make a big difference or is the A90D stage pretty much the same using different DACs? Also, when pairing with a high impedance/lower Voltage output DAC (like one of the Denafrips R2Rs) ,will A90D still need a pre-amp feeding the signal?

[@Koopagamelouda]

+1 to this! I have high hopes that it would reveal the character of a totl dac because of what Sandu said about this thing's detail retrieval.

[@Soundnews]

Hi Joe, are you using headphones or speakers? For headphones, A90D won't need an additional preamp feeding the signal, double-amping is a very bad idea and I don't recommend that. Chord Dave became my flagship DAC a few months ago and all headphone amps, preamps, integrated and power amps are being tested on it. What I've said about the soundstage should apply to D90SE as well.

[@revelationsoundstudio]

Thank you for your review, very helpful. I found Wave Theory's review confirmed what you said. The macro dynamics are improved over the A90 but the micro dynamics mics is not up to par with an amp in the same price range as the Lake Audio G105 MK II. The Topping is very clean with a sign wave but when you put music and do a test, you would find it's not providing rhe subtle details. The big punch at the beginning however is there and it sounds great

[@andyleiva8638]

How do you compare this A90D with the Ferrum OOR ?

[@georgelin6472]

Yes, please let us know, I am wondering this myself!

[@Soundnews]

Hi Andy. There's a big difference between them. OOR is not as fast and not as clean sounding...but it is so much denser/heavier sounding, it's deeper and punchier in the bass, much thicker in the midrange and completely harsh free in the treble. OOR is the smoothest and warmest sounding solid-state amplifier that I tried to this day. A90D is still neutral by comparison. Another difference with hard to drive headphones (Susvara & Abyss) is the driver control and dynamics, OOR is simply better.

[@dalejail]

how is it compared to sa-1? especially in bass/transients/impact

[@pentastation]

My Topping A70 Pro is unable to provide enough volume for my HE6se V2, and it goes into protection mode quite early. On Monday, I will receive the A90D. Do you think it will perform better with these headphones compared to the A70 Pro? Tks

[@jonandresen1483]

Thanks for the review. I recently purchased this amp for use with my ZMF Verite Closed and Atrium headphones. My other amp in this setup is the similarly powered Schiit Lyr 3. Overall, I prefer the Schiit Lyr 3 more so with the VC than the Atrium. The VC is faster sounding and is a better match for the Lyr 3, which is warmer and rounder than the Topping. With the Atrium the A90D pairing offers some cool speed and clarity to a headphone that leans softer and warmer. Interestingly, putting the LISST solid state tube replacement device into the Lyr3 makes the amps difficult to tell apart. Nevertheless, the Schiit retains an edge in warmth and overall musicality.

[@20puskinas1992]

Thing is, its like 90 perc of flagships have terrible tonal balance with weak bass, dipped mids and thus need coloration from amps and dacs. If eq those headphones you wont need tube amps, class a amps etc. If headphones suck, they would suck more with transparent gear.

[@jonandresen1483]

@@20puskinas1992 It’s not totally clear but I think you are suggesting the ZMF Verite Closed and Atrium suck. They might. I don’t think so. I also prefer thy Lyr3 with HiFiMan Arya Stealth, Audeze LCD-X, and Kennterton Gallerhorn. No headphone is as linear as just about any well designed amp. I do EQ these days. I use the Schiit Loki to subtle but good effect. EQ in no way replaces tubes for a warmer, more rounded, and often richer listening experience. Far more is happening than boosts or cuts in the frequency response. Tubes (and all gear) alter the sound from whatever considered perfect. I’m going for what I like, and I prefer a bit of warmth. A lot of other people must too or else the Topping A90D might not exist-and sound better by all accounts. Sound is perception with perception being the key word.

[@20puskinas1992]

@@jonandresen1483 dont say your cans suck, but these type of amps highlight everything. Almost every headphone need eq anyway.

[@blejzerosamigos6115]

I am sorry to say but you don't have the right amp for your cans, zmfs are 300 ohm headphones so you NEED OTL amp to really hear what you have.

[@jonandresen1483]

@@blejzerosamigos6115 Not really a need. Both amps are sufficiently powered at about 1 W into 300 ohms. I hear no issues with power in either in regards to volume, distortion, slam, or whatever. Sandu was pretty happy if not 100% satisfied with the A90D driving the super duper insensitive Susvara sooo... Bottlehead kits have less power. Cayin has at least on amp with more. What would you say I'm missing out on to really hear what I have? Sell me on a hot, heavy, expensive, fragile amp. If it will change my listening world I'll buy one immediately. But which one? Which tubes?

[@alexandertkatchev6552]

How A90D in comparison with Singxer SA-1?

[@Soundnews]

Funny thing, I like SA-1's tonality a little bit more, but it lacks power and control with big planars.

[@aceofspades6667]

I use a Burson soloist 3XP ad my daily driver (supercharger +sparkos ). This is my primary ss amp + pre for monitors + pre for tube amps. Do you think the a90d would be a better amp? I did not like the og 90 at all and prefer the warmth class a adds. I know you said the a90d improves the mids and reduces the treble ringing does it outperform the soloist in these areas?

[@Soundnews]

Hi Ace, don't sell your 3XP. While better and improved, A90D is still pretty linear sounding in comparison to any Burson. A90D would be a side grade at best.

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

very solid sounding amp, easy recommend on anything

[@steinerikbhmer6073]

Excellent review Sando this is a great amp

[@juneguts]

Funny I was in the middle of watching the D90SE review.

[@maephisto696]

Brother, there's no Gustard R26 ranking in your gold section for DACs on your 2 new videos , only X26. Best wishes! :D

[@Soundnews]

Hey Milos, lists have been updated today ;) Thanks for the tip

[@ZERAZE1]

Hi guys, I have an extremely subjective question 😀. What headphones do you recommend to connect to the A90D ? Thank you

[@gamingandmusic9217]

2 minutes back I ordered A90D. I don't know which DAC to pair it with for my headphone setup. Sir, please suggest a DAC. can D30 pro be connected to A90D ?

[@jsuno23]

could I use the A90D as preamp for cayin HA-6A? I keep hearing it is as good as Pre90 or better. I already have an A90Dand almost sold it but then rememebered it can be used as a preamp which is what I'm looking for to help with more steps in volume and remote access on the Cayin HA-6A. LOVE run-ons

[@fahryst]

I looked for a sp400 comparison in your written review but there was none. Probably you liked a90d much better

[@venkatesanjb284]

Will A90D perform similar to pre90 as preamp for stereo step up.. like gain .. both A90D & pre90 are same gain in xlr output...??

[@soraflame66]

I have the topping a90 in perfect condition is it possible to email them and trade it in for the new A90D and a little change????

[@chaoticorder532]

How does this compare to the 789?

[@philip3123]

Hi sandu, I have hekse and Utopia, to pair with them which amp do you think is better?

[@kyleo2113]

Very nice review. Thanks

[@carlosamlgo4863]

Hola ! Este A90d sería un buena pareja con el Topping D30 pro o alguno similar

[@20puskinas1992]

Hey sandu how you like it vs Benchmark hpa4? Im considering A90D vs Benchmark and thinking if Hpa4 is worth it? P.S Maybe ask Lake People for Niimbus US5 pro demo? That should be a great amp! Love that comparison also.

[@Soundnews]

Hi mate. Well, I sold my HPA4 a few months ago...I don't know what happened, but I wasn't enjoying its ultra-detailed and ultra-flat FR anymore. Going by memory, A90D would feel more or less the same, maybe a little bit better in the midrange department. If you need multiple XLR/RCA inputs (of the HPA4), I would add an EXT90 to A90D and call it a day. HPA4 mates well with R-2R and FPGA DACs, while A90D works with pretty much anything. Will ask around for a US5 PRO loaner, thanks for the tip!

[@20puskinas1992]

@@Soundnews thank you Sandu! P.S i heard a lot of people saying that a90 discrete sound beefier than og a90 while power supply is the same... I think that should be indicator that linear power supply is not responsible for slam... Didn't you said that Soloist have a ton of slam? I think it has switched mode power supply, but they call it different name for marketing. Just sharing my thoughts. Also have to add... I think accuracy removes slam... Bought usb silver cable and all impact is gone! Also tried headphones cables and interconnect made of silver and same result. More accurate, less fun. Thanks again and hopefully you get that Niimbus😎

[@trun1979]

Hey mate, what's the stand on your right? Left is Woo Audio.

[@Soundnews]

hHello Marco, it's a SilverStone EBA01

[@trun1979]

@@Soundnews thanks mate

[@powermod6772]

In the A90 video you said that the A90 is on par with Benchmark HPA4. Now the A90D is a 'massive upgrade' over the A90. So the A90D is a massive upgrade over the HPA4? This just can't happen. I wouldn't trust myself if I am hearing that A90D is at least as good as HPA4. It just can't. I own an A90D and find it somewhat terrible. It is not bad, but when there happens a lot in the music, the A90D loses detail, resolution and separation. Treble can become sharp, almost hurting. I don't believe that this is as the music is because the amp has high resolution. I rather think it breaks up smooth but fast treble sound waves. With higher priced Violectric amps I don't have these issues. And I would not say they artificially smooth the signal.

[@asan1050]

Thanks Much !

[@waldoyew4247]

Can you run xlr and rca at the same time like the pre90?

[@superkev-ls4kn]

Thanks for the review, mate. Would it matter what source you run this on? For example would an iphone sound any different from a high-end DAP?

[@carlosamlgo4863]

Hola !! Me podrías aconsejar un dac d 500€ para este amplificador A90d y tengo los Sigva 023.Muy agradecido

[@humanbass]

Topping engineer posts in ASR. Funny thing is that he doesnt consider discrete superior to op-amps. He just wanted to show that discrete can be as clean and linear. Technically speaking the relay knob is the real upgrade lol. Discrete amp being superior is audiophile fetish like R2R DACs. There is no base technical data to support that, just the fetish of doing things in a harder way.

[@Soundnews]

There is a big difference between an engineer and a audiophile/music lover. Sometimes there's a substantial difference soundwise between DACs that measure the same. I have fallen into that trap multiple times, I actually owned the best measuring DACs on ASR for two years in a row and those were far from being the best sounding to my ears.

[@blejzerosamigos6115]

Thanks for the review, I wonder how this on one compares to the Burson Soloist 3x.?

[@Soundnews]

I still like the 3XP a little bit more, A90D would feel like a sidegrade that more linear sounding and not as punchy.

[@shammy6064]

Anyone know what headphone stand he is using?

[@fishbarbeque8540]

hat were the hexagon ahh headphones in the thumbnail?

[@Soundnews]

@@fishbarbeque8540 Erzetich Phobos V4.

[@fishbarbeque8540]

@@Soundnews Thank you!!!!!

[@itayoron]

Which DACs under $1000 will best pair with it?

[@Soundnews]

D90SE will make a pretty sweet combo, if you need a more organic sounding unit, then I would choose the SMSL VMV D1SE or a used Topping D70S

[@TheMasterofComment]

@@Soundnews Would It pair well with anything from the lower tiered SMSL? Like the Do200, su9 etc?

[@Soundnews]

@@TheMasterofComment Sure, why not. It will work just fine

[@ahmedsafa91]

got it for 200$ used so no complaims😎

[@kffffghh]

flux lab fa-10 pro

[@tysontyson1244]

Topping is crap. Topping is the only brand that I consistently tell my friends to stay away from. Poorly engineered designs, cost cutting poor quality components. STAY FAR AWAY FROM TOPPING. Get pretty much any other brand and you will be likely be better off.

[@erictracy1630]

lol

[@20puskinas1992]

I have Topping dac amp for like 5 years and it works perfectly! I dont know what is your problem?

[@tysontyson1244]

Topping press fits knobs onto their cheap potentiometers on most of their amplifiers. This can destroy the solder connection of the potentiometer to the board at the factory when it is manufactured or after purchase when removing the knob. This has been addressed as a problem the Topping Rep himself: “The removal process could have degraded the pot further(I’m very certain it has, and again with reinstalling). (Also the pot is fully customized, you almost are not able to find exact replacement for the pot, 5k 4gang 5% -60db tracking) So this is not recommended for everyone else. Also as I posted earlier it’s clearly described and explained. It is the pot itself. But it’s caused by external forced applied to the pot during the knob installation process. Some ended up requiring less force some with more. So the end result is some units may exhibit this behavior. But like many others have said, it’s acceptable and doesn’t affect the performance itself of the volume control.” Topping continues this practice, making their amps disposable. When trying to diagnose the problems you break the amplifier more. Although there are many problems with Topping engineering cost cutting designs, this is one example of the Topping quality problems.

[@bigjt37]

How well would you say this did with truly delivering the musical emotion(s)? Because correct me if I'm wrong, you truly value that, me too. 🫡 Would you say it's a strength?

[@Soundnews]

Hi Josh. While it's a bit more organic and real sounding to the original A90, it is still not as natural sounding and emotional as a Ferrum OOR or Trafomatic Head2. If you need a powerful connection with your music, then I won't get the A90D. Get a used OOR or Head2 and you'll be in heaven in no time.

[@bigjt37]

@@Soundnews Definitely, I appreciate the candor, seriously. That's what I needed to know, thanks man 🙂.