Topping TP20 tripath 2020 amplifier (versus NAD C320BEE)

[psychotropic]

waaaaaay off topic ! new thread?

Hi,
could you tell me more about the fostex sound and also how you have proceeded with the drivers(cabinet build etc). Heard a lot regarding these drivers wanted to know more.

Thx

 

[asliarun]

waaaaaay off topic ! new thread?

Sorry about this, psychotropic. I was the initial culprit. I promise I will stick to the topic in this thread in all future replies. This is a really interesting thread in any case!

 

[psychotropic]

he he he, i was just trying to prune the thread so it remains relevant. I feel a bit parental towards it

 

[psychotropic]

Oh just to add a little bit of info. I recently had the opportunity to listen to the Topping TP20 (my own) paired with Usher Mini Dancers (at ARN Systems, Bangalore). The mini dancers are sizable floorstanders and are rightly reputed to require some serious amplification heft to perform at their best.

In spite of this I thought the Topping acquitted itself admirably. There was a good amount of detail and the soundstaging and imaging were very good. Of course then we swapped it out and compared it to a hefty pre-power and the difference was marked, with palpably greater control and finesse and better imaging and all of that, but the pre-power combo (Leben-Usher) was worth in the region of a couple of lakhs(?) or more and this thing cost 4000.

Considering the Topping is 1/50th the price of the other setup, I thought its performance was stellar.

Again, I agree that in audio, these comparisons are odious, because of diminishing marginal utility and all that but what I'm trying to say is that even with the Mini Dancers the Toppings put up a really good show and put out a foot-tapping, enjoyable sound with lots of detail and a great soundstage. It's a serious overperformer for the price that you pay for it (just in case any of you still had any doubts about that fact).

 

[mahisiva]

Hi Guys,

How does this TP20 compare against the Norge MOSFET?

Siva

 

[keith_correa]

Of course then we swapped it out and compared it to a hefty pre-power and the difference was marked, with palpably greater control and finesse and better imaging and all of that, but the pre-power combo (Leben-Usher) was worth in the region of a couple of lakhs(?) or more and this thing cost 4000.

But of course. Apples. Oranges.

 

[srikarkav]

Sri,
Could it be that the +/-wires connecting the Wh 9.2 to the Topping are touching somewhere? Did you try swapping the two speakers to see if the problem is with the speakers or the Topping channel? This seems like a problem where one of the speakers is giving a very small resistance to the amp. Does the amp itself shut down after a few seconds?

Hi,
Thanks for the reply.Yes i did try the swapping. The problem seems to be with one of the channels of the amp.Both the speakers had this problem when connected to this particular channel.And the amp did not shut down.Only one channel goes low suddenly.But i am having no problems with the aiwa bookshelves in my PC setup. Strange indeed.

cheers,
sri

 

[maniac_2004]

waaaaaay off topic ! new thread?

Yes man .. U R the boss here .. Do you plan on some more exotic purchases like the toppings ? This route seems to be giving the best possible VFM.

 

[keith_correa]

Yes man .. U R the boss here .. Do you plan on some more exotic purchases like the toppings ? This route seems to be giving the best possible VFM.

If I may:

For half the price of the Topping try the Scythe Kama Bay. Last year, I saw the review on tnt audio and bought 2 of them from here. Was the cheapest price I could find at that time. Out of the box, they sounded punchy and lush. Unfortunately I did not get to hear them a lot because we were due to shift house and I was caught up in other stuff. When we actually moved I think the movers robbed both my amps They're gone but I remember good things about them. For the price they are a steal.

 

[psychotropic]

i did toy with the idea of going for a scythe kama bay (on your recommendation keith AFAIR), but from the reviews i thought i'd take a chance with the more popular TA2020 chip than the Yamaha chip. How much would the kama bays cost in India landed with a PSU?

Perhaps someone here can try it out and if someone from Chennai gets it, I'd love to do a shootout between the scythe and the topping to see which was the superior audiophile steal

The absolutely lovely thing about the Topping (and the Scythe I am sure) is that people can have a small taste of the high-end for money that won't deter too many. I imagine that it would be a blinder with sensitive speakers, but I've never had the privilege of trying it out with terribly sensitive speakers. Anyone in Chennai with speakers with a 90dB or higher sensitivity?

 

[psychotropic]

oh yeah looks like it's about 3k including shipping and PSU. So cheaper than the Topping there! and looks equally well constructed. Come one, someone take the plunge!

 

[keith_correa]

I imagine that it would be a blinder with sensitive speakers, but I've never had the privilege of trying it out with terribly sensitive speakers. Anyone in Chennai with speakers with a 90dB or higher sensitivity?

My 86 db SuperZero's behaved pretty decently with the Scythe. Filled a small room @ 11 o'clock.

 

[ajinkya]

Here's a brief review of the Kama from 6moons, compared with a T-amp (Trends).
6moons audio reviews: Trends Audio TA-10.1

Reads like it's an average amp for listening but because of its low price, seems like somewhat of a bargain. I would rather spend a little more and get something better.

 

[moktan]

Here's a brief review of the Kama from 6moons, compared with a T-amp (Trends).
6moons audio reviews: Trends Audio TA-10.1

Reads like it's an average amp for listening but because of its low price, seems like somewhat of a bargain. I would rather spend a little more and get something better.

i know this is one of those sticky existential issues...
6moons audio reviews: Dayens Ampino

 

[psychotropic]

hey moktan. the dayens ampino is supposed to be a very good amp, but it costs about 310 EUR (17k INR) shipped to India (I had e-mailed Zoran a long time ago), and there will surely be customs that would take it to 20k or beyond, so then we're not really talking about an amp in the same price class. In the same price class you should also have a look at the amplifiers from Virtue Audio (who also use different variants of the tripath chips), which have been raved about on 6moons as well.

Even when 6moons was reviewing it the Trends and the Sonic Impact were around 200 EUR which is more like 12k rupees, I wonder what 6moons would have had to say reviewing the Topping for more like 75 EUR.

Bi-amping and tri-amping with these fellows should also be a lot of fun, I am eagerly waiting for sqvare's reports. Of course if someone buys my Ushers I end up doing my speaker upgrade I may not be able to bi-amp (at least not without a lot of work!).

 

[keith_correa]

Here's a brief review of the Kama from 6moons, compared with a T-amp (Trends).
6moons audio reviews: Trends Audio TA-10.1

Reads like it's an average amp for listening but because of its low price, seems like somewhat of a bargain. I would rather spend a little more and get something better.

You're right. But, compared to amps costing +4x the price of the Scythe I wouldn't even dare to compare the sound of the Scythe critically against these. For kicks, maybe. Critically? apples / oranges.

For the record I had the Scythe SDA-1100 which the company claims to be a step up from the SDA-1000 which was reviewed. Was it really better? I wouldn't have a clue. Do I assume it was better? Since it was my money - I would like to think so - :lol:

 

[keith_correa]

and looks equally well constructed.

No, I don't think so. The Scythe's case is quite wimpy. Have no clue about the Topping but it's case seems to be beefier than the Scythe. Cosmetically too I prefer the Topping to the Scythe.

One more nice thing about the Scythe is that it can be mono-bridged. Would involve a little soldering and seems easy enough to do. That's one of the reasons I had bought two. The other reason being that I wanted to try bi-amping.

 

[saty]

Think I'll go in for the Tripath... Thanks Psychotropic for the advice...
Only question is whether to go in for the Topping or something called the SA-36, both using 2020 chip???

 

[keith_correa]

Only question is whether to go in for the Topping or something called the SA-36, both using 2020 chip???

There are literally 100's of implementations of the TA-2020's so I'm curious why you zeroed onto the SA-36 among others. If there is no good reason then I suggest that you stick to tried & tested - Topping.

 

[saty]

Hi Fi Labs as recommended by Psycotropic is only carrying these and not the Topping right now... Cost is coming to about $65 dollars inc shipping and adapter... Should I go for some other seller selling the Topping??