sonosphere
Well-Known Member
Background: Refer link here >> http://www.hifivision.com/reviews/2...ons-various-gear-combinations.html#post310038
For previous demo see here >> http://www.hifivision.com/reviews/2...s-asus-xonar-st-soundcard-norge-1000-amp.html
This demo had a very unlikely combination... a light-weight (literally!) amplifier, the Topping TP-20, paired with a low-sensitivity speaker, the Usher S-520 (both belonging to Sups). The source remained same as previous demo's (i.e my Asus Xonar ST soundcard). The Topping amp was demoed in previous meet to incredulous effect, and understandably this time, there was anxiety to know how the topping would drive the S-520.
Songs played:
See the song-list in the Observation-report image below.
The two "common songs" were >> Hotel California by Eagles... This soft-rock classic needs no introduction and "Carmina Burana" by Carl Orff... is another classic, er. western classical. This was choosen as it is a really dense and highly dynamic combination of choir, string sections, steel drums... you name it. (A gear-combo that can play this with all details, but, without strain on your ears, gets assured entry to HiFi club). Other songs... "Swing Rhythm" was a snappy japanese drum instrumental track that could show whether your speakers are fast enough... "You raise me up" was a intimate sounding number with minimal instrumental backing, with fantastic female vocals by Jheena lodwick. A good test-track for vocals and delicate presentation. "Alla Truca" a western classical composition by Mozart, was a soft blend of woodwinds and string sections, a good test of coherence between mids and highs. The last track was, "Still loving you" by Scorpions. If Klause Mein's vocals of this Hard-rock classic don't move you then either your gear needs change, or your heart
.
Demo# 03 in progress
Usher S-520 on left, and Topping TP-20 sitting on top of the black Norge amp.
Demo# 03 close up
Observation report
For those new to above Observation-summary...
- Explanation of criterias used in audition, is given in Observation feedback form here >> https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B0...EyOTItYWFiY2ZiNTZlYTRi&hl=en&authkey=CI2L5P8H
- Since all the observation feedback forms were submitted as anonymous, the actual HFV IDs were substituted with Sample ID from "A" "B" "C" onwards .
- The "1" numeral you see in the form indicates the tickmark that was made under that criteria. So all tickmarks get added at the bottom to compare which criteria got max tickmarks
Observation-Conclusion:
This is a "Neutral" pleasant sounding combo good for small rooms. Details and dynammics are further strong points observed by majority. This combo didn't match the soundstage of Paradigm Titans for obvisous reasons (Titans are next generation in size and price). Despite the small size of speakers (and amp!), sound went pretty loud... majority didn't find any distortion-issues. Again, With majority opinon swung in one direction, it make this combo a safe bet to buy without audition, if you like the audition results.
My 2 cents...
The SQ of this combo was understandably better than previous meet having Topping amp, wherein PSB Alpha were the speakers. The Alpha's cost around 75% of Usher's and have half the size approx. While the contribution from Xonar soundcard and Topping amp couldn't have been better, the Ushers can do FAR better with better source and amp. The fact that Ushers did this well with just a Topping amp is as remarkable as a BMW SUV showing zippy performance with a Nano engine. Long ago... It was a demo of S-520 with Jaton operetta power amp, that revealed to me that it's possible to hear "everything" thru bookshelves which I could hear only thru headphones, till then.
This is a good combo to start your journey @ 45k (Topping @4k + Xonar based PC @16k + S-520 @25K approx). Like the Titans of previous demo, The S-520 will keep doing justice in your rig till you change the source and amp to 50k level each. Another similarity... though both Titans and S-520 have low end specified at 50 Hz, they sound deeper. Similarity ends at volume level... Titans are bigger and louder and obviously, pricier.
Apart from my opinion above, I request other meet-members to chip in with their's too, and add value to this mini-review.
For previous demo see here >> http://www.hifivision.com/reviews/2...s-asus-xonar-st-soundcard-norge-1000-amp.html
This demo had a very unlikely combination... a light-weight (literally!) amplifier, the Topping TP-20, paired with a low-sensitivity speaker, the Usher S-520 (both belonging to Sups). The source remained same as previous demo's (i.e my Asus Xonar ST soundcard). The Topping amp was demoed in previous meet to incredulous effect, and understandably this time, there was anxiety to know how the topping would drive the S-520.
Songs played:
See the song-list in the Observation-report image below.
The two "common songs" were >> Hotel California by Eagles... This soft-rock classic needs no introduction and "Carmina Burana" by Carl Orff... is another classic, er. western classical. This was choosen as it is a really dense and highly dynamic combination of choir, string sections, steel drums... you name it. (A gear-combo that can play this with all details, but, without strain on your ears, gets assured entry to HiFi club). Other songs... "Swing Rhythm" was a snappy japanese drum instrumental track that could show whether your speakers are fast enough... "You raise me up" was a intimate sounding number with minimal instrumental backing, with fantastic female vocals by Jheena lodwick. A good test-track for vocals and delicate presentation. "Alla Truca" a western classical composition by Mozart, was a soft blend of woodwinds and string sections, a good test of coherence between mids and highs. The last track was, "Still loving you" by Scorpions. If Klause Mein's vocals of this Hard-rock classic don't move you then either your gear needs change, or your heart
.Demo# 03 in progress
Usher S-520 on left, and Topping TP-20 sitting on top of the black Norge amp.
Demo# 03 close up
Observation report
For those new to above Observation-summary...
- Explanation of criterias used in audition, is given in Observation feedback form here >> https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B0...EyOTItYWFiY2ZiNTZlYTRi&hl=en&authkey=CI2L5P8H
- Since all the observation feedback forms were submitted as anonymous, the actual HFV IDs were substituted with Sample ID from "A" "B" "C" onwards .
- The "1" numeral you see in the form indicates the tickmark that was made under that criteria. So all tickmarks get added at the bottom to compare which criteria got max tickmarks
Observation-Conclusion:
This is a "Neutral" pleasant sounding combo good for small rooms. Details and dynammics are further strong points observed by majority. This combo didn't match the soundstage of Paradigm Titans for obvisous reasons (Titans are next generation in size and price). Despite the small size of speakers (and amp!), sound went pretty loud... majority didn't find any distortion-issues. Again, With majority opinon swung in one direction, it make this combo a safe bet to buy without audition, if you like the audition results.
My 2 cents...
The SQ of this combo was understandably better than previous meet having Topping amp, wherein PSB Alpha were the speakers. The Alpha's cost around 75% of Usher's and have half the size approx. While the contribution from Xonar soundcard and Topping amp couldn't have been better, the Ushers can do FAR better with better source and amp. The fact that Ushers did this well with just a Topping amp is as remarkable as a BMW SUV showing zippy performance with a Nano engine. Long ago... It was a demo of S-520 with Jaton operetta power amp, that revealed to me that it's possible to hear "everything" thru bookshelves which I could hear only thru headphones, till then.
This is a good combo to start your journey @ 45k (Topping @4k + Xonar based PC @16k + S-520 @25K approx). Like the Titans of previous demo, The S-520 will keep doing justice in your rig till you change the source and amp to 50k level each. Another similarity... though both Titans and S-520 have low end specified at 50 Hz, they sound deeper. Similarity ends at volume level... Titans are bigger and louder and obviously, pricier.
Apart from my opinion above, I request other meet-members to chip in with their's too, and add value to this mini-review.
