TOPPING A90D HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER. FULL REVIEW, CLOSE UP SECTION, PROS AND CONS PLUS A FINAL RATING!

Offering a swathe of features and options, Paul Rigby reviews this desktop unit from the Chinese outfit
VIDEO CONTENTS
00:00 - Channel Update
3:43 - A90D Introduction
8:47 - Closer Look
10:17 - Sound Quality
10:58 - CD Play
12:40 - Vinyl Play
13:46 - Dan Clark Stealth Headphones
15:30 - Final Thoughts, Pros and Cons & Rating
CONTACT: www.electromod.co.uk/products...
#headphones #amplifier #review #topping #paulrigby #theaudiophileman
Check out my website for more on vinyl at: theaudiophileman.com
PATREON
The page arrives with a growing range of BUYER'S GUIDES, exclusive and early-bird VIDEOS!
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SOCIAL MEDIA
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OTHER CREDITS
Old Bossa by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution
creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Artist: www.twinmusicom.org/

[@scottbaylor6215]

Keep up the good work. I try to watch all the episodes but life does require my time, I'm sure you can understand that. I do love your reviews and your education. Keep rocking.🤘🎸🤘

[@nazaholicable]

Hi Paul I enjoy your channel immensely, both in terms of music related content and hi-fi news and reviews. Your occasionally quirky shows are also welcome, such as 'favourite artists' and 'the one about Hifi manufacturers giving their kit a confusing reference number rather than a name.'

[@toddt5562]

Paul, I enjoy your channel and put great value in your insights and analysis, although I must admit I was one of those viewers that was less likely to watch the strictly music related videos. Musical tastes are so varied it's quite challenging to please everyone LOL. Looking forward to all of your future videos. Appreciate your efforts and thank you again!

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Fair enough, Todd - thank you for watching the HiFi stuff and for your comments here.

[@DearSX]

Have you tried using it as a preamp? If so, how good is it?

[@blakecandesign9628]

Hello The Audiophile Man, great video! Could I get some advice please? I’m running Focal Clear Pro headphones, with a Luxman L-235 Integrated Amp. And using a Schiit Modi 3+ DAC. I was wondering are there any affordable upgrades (over the L-235) in the vintage Luxman range you might suggest? Also is there any upgrade in DAC you would suggest? Or would I even need a better DAC?

[@crate718]

can you pair it with smsl su6? would be a good idea?

[@spiritualarchitect4276]

Paul, I want tone controls for my headphones. To use the A90D with a full-size stereo amp that has tone controls ~ does the full-size amps PREOUTS have to plug into the 90’s RCA IN? Would that allow the full-size amps remote control to control the headphone volume while also hearing the tone control settings?

[@revelationsoundstudio]

Helpful review as always a good job. Some reviews mentioned the macro dynamics are good on this amp bit the micro dynamics ( after the macro)....with all its details came up short. Did you find this to he true?

[@spiritualarchitect4276]

@@revelationsoundstudio I do not hear any extra details, but that could be because I am using my CD players DAC. My Marantz CD player cost the same as the Topping D90. Since all the money for the 90 is going into the DAC I would think it would be a better DAC than what the CD player has. So I am going to get the D90 and see if that reveals extra details like everybody says.

[@richardblaauwgeers4349]

Did you also try it as a preamp? Can you explain why this is an 8 and not a 9 product?

[@foupax]

Yes, this rating doesn't say much. The review is very analytic but emotionless. We don't know if he liked the A90d so much that he would keep it. And that makes a lot of difference.

[@waldoyew4247]

Are you limited to either xlr or rca connection or can you use both at the same time? For example I hook up a pair of active monitors and a Bluetooth dac using a pentacon 4.4mm to xlr connected to the a90d now while using xlr is the rca out active I want to connect my active subwoofer

[@TheAudiophileMan]

This from Topping, "You can run the outputs on the rear XLR only and RCA only or both at the same time but you can only switch between HPA (headphone output) or PRE (pre amplifier output) i do not think you can run these at the same time as why would you want to you would either want to listen to headphones or listen to speakers you would not want to do both?"

[@waldoyew4247]

@@TheAudiophileMan ok I want to use as a preamp am I able to run for example ifi zen blue v2 using its pentagon 4.4mm to xlr adapter then active monitors then run a active subwoofer using the rca out or do I need the ext90 extender to make that happen

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Again from Topping, "You can use both outputs ( rca / XLR ) at the same time if this is what he is asking and you would not need an extender for this as the extender only has inputs no outputs."

[@sixergixer]

I think you should call Fridays "HiFi Bits n Bobs." You kind of already said it in the blurb. :)

[@doifeellucky]

Thanks Paul, insightful as always, but a bit beyond what I’d want to pay for a headphone amp. Currently a Mojo 2 and Zen DAC V2 user. I’m looking forward to your Concept 50 review based on how you rate the 30’s as your best up to £1000 stand mount. Another channel referred to them as potential ‘end game’ and I’d be interested to hear if they work with more budget focused amps. I’m looking to upgrade but would prefer to do it in steps with pairings that won’t highlight the deficiency of the cheaper pairing, too much.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Thanks for that. As for the 50s, if you're looking to slot them into a HiFi chain with a budget amp - and that's what I am sensing in your post - then I wouldn't go there. I'd encourage you to upgrade from the source downwards. By then, you'll have an amp priced at £2K or higher, preferably higher. *Then* look at the 50s (which are £2k), not before.

[@doifeellucky]

@@TheAudiophileMan Ok, thanks for the feedback. I currently have a Cambridge CXA60 and am considering an upgrade, looking at amps and speakers in the £1500 region per item, but could be prepared to push that closer to 2k. I should probably just save up and get both together, but am aware of diminishing returns, especially as my room is far from ideal.

[@JordanPhegley]

Maybe the music only video episodes could be once a month for Patreon supporters? Just a thought. Thanks for all your work.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

I certainly will offer music-related goodness for Patreon supporters, sure. And I do have music items up there right now. In fact, only only recently added a B.B. King interview. Hope you saw that.

[@bobby666666]

I watched your Music Videos, but I reckon a few people just watch the HiFi Videos only.

[@fletchermunson6225]

I would be easy enough for you to comment on the music you are evaluating equipment with. Work in some music reviews coincidental to the other information. A suggestion.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

No. It would be neither one thing or the other then. It would muddy the point of that lol video, the hardware and provide insufficient info for those looking at a more hardcore music experience. As I say, you can receive that via the website. It’s all there.

[@peterlundin7953]

Sorry Paul, Fun Tunes Fridays where the high light of this channel, the audio reviews are at best average and plentyful everywhere!

[@TheAudiophileMan]

As I say, the website has them now. Same thing, in text form.

[@spiritualarchitect4276]

Yes foodies, it’s true, if Eydie Gorme married Mel Torme her name would be Eydie Gorme Torme. And that’s your Gourmet tip of the day.