Topping TP20 tripath 2020 amplifier (versus NAD C320BEE)

[metalmickey]

why cant we group buy this?!!!!!.almost everyone in this forum would want to buy one!.wish someone gets them on a lot from singapore? and sells them here!.even with an xtra 1000rs commision for the guy who's gettin it here.people will love to get it.thus saving the customs/shipping time!...but it sounds a bit like smuggling!!!!!!!!!guess psychotropic can take an indian dealership and help us out!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sound_advice]

why cant we group buy this?!!!!!.almost everyone in this forum would want to buy one!.wish someone gets them on a lot from singapore? and sells them here!.even with an xtra 1000rs commision for the guy who's gettin it here.people will love to get it.thus saving the customs/shipping time!...but it sounds a bit like smuggling!!!!!!!!!guess psychotropic can take an indian dealership and help us out!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's a great suggestion.
Can we just treat this as a precursor to a GO and request interested people to register.

 

[ajinkya]

hehehe @ psycho .... it should be touching 100 by now, I guess.

I think it won't be more than 15-20 members totally, from the thread responses I've briefly seen. Unless there are members who've bought and not written up responses (how often does that happen :indifferent14?

It would be interesting to take a poll though, Psychotropic. Can you initiate, since you're the one who kick-started this thread and interest in the Topping?

 

[ajinkya]

This whole group buy idea from metalmickey got me thinking along these lines (or along hyperbolas or other esoteric curves that come to my mind):

The main problem after people buy the Topping is pairing it with a suitable set of low-cost, high-sensitivity, good-sounding speakers. From my limited experience and reading on forums, the Cambridge S30 and the JBL Control 1s are the two speakers that fit the aforementioned criteria. The Ushers, though sounding great, are above budget for a typical new entrant to this field.

So, as a group buy, why not have the Topping+Speaker combination for purchase? If people can agree on a speaker that pairs well with the Topping, won't it make financial and practical sense to buy the combination as a group, as an entry-level stereo system for small room/office/desk?


My vote for speakers goes to the S30 because I've heard it with the Topping extensively and they always sound good. I've also heard them with a Denon and a Marantz and in this case, the What Hifi reviews are spot on. It may actually be a good idea for a small shootout as well, between all "Topping compatible" speakers, since Psychotropic was going to review the S30 at some point anyway. I don't think the Wharfedales make a good match sensitivity-wise but if someone has tried them, a review would be great.

Since I'm not a business-person, I don't know what constitutes a good number to get a discount, but if there are say 15 of us for the Topping-Speaker (say S30) combination, won't it be possible to buy the system for around Es 11K, counting shipping? It basically means getting a discount of around Rs 1000 on the speakers, and some cost saving on the Topping for shipping etc. That would be a nice price for someone who is on a tight budget, I think.

Just some ideas. Other members, please feel free to suggest alternatives based on your own setups.

 

[madbullram]

TP20 vs TP30

Guys got the topping T30, the USB DAC + Amp with the T2024 chip. Have paired it with Axiom speakers. They where connected by a DIY CAT cable (took 2 hrs with just a knife in hand!).

First impression is very good. Compared to TP20 they are very similar and I couldnt really see much difference. But the same song played via ipod->TP30 (aux in) -> AAxiom and Laptop ->USB -> TP30 -> Axiom, the difference was night and day and was excellent. The sound stage and clarity of this USB DAC is amazing.

Just comparing on the fly with my DacMagic (original one not the modded) I would give it 3.5/5 with the TP30 losing out on body and bass.

My rating (will post a detailed one later):
TP20: 7/10
TP30: 8/10

A great buy and I would give star more to TP30 than TP20 bcos it also acts an excellent DAC and you can directly play flac from your laptop.










Ebay link:
http://shop.ebay.com/indeed-hi-fi-l...kw=tp30&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3911.c0.m270.l1313

 

[hemantwaghe]

Do not want to be a spoilsport but if anyone procures this in bulk ,rate of taxation will be higher as it will be for commercial use ( sale) and cannot be labelled as gift..
Any expert views?

 

[avidyarthy]

Dead right, Hemant.
Customs would be levied then. But, still think, if the import is effected in restricted numbers of 4-5, then one might just get away from paying customs duty. The total value of imports is to be kept below 15-16 k ...

Do not want to be a spoilsport but if anyone procures this in bulk ,rate of taxation will be higher as it will be for commercial use ( sale) and cannot be labelled as gift..
Any expert views?

 

[hemantwaghe]

Dead right, Hemant.
Customs would be levied then. But, still think, if the import is effected in restricted numbers of 4-5, then one might just get away from paying customs duty. The total value of imports is to be kept below 15-16 k ...

That is a possibility

I think similar issue was discussed when member were planning GO for beresford.

I was one and half year back and I think rules are different now.

BTW what I heard in direct carrying or through courior single item is spared as it is considered for personnel consumption but multiple items are considered for commercial purpose..

Any member has expereince?Any views?

 

[avidyarthy]

But, whats stopping you from importing direct?

It is so very easy. All you need to do is open an account with paypal and make the payment to them. Rest, everything is taken care of by the seller till it reaches the Indian customs. In most cases, you don't need to pay any duties and the postman hand delivers it to your doorsteps. Even if some customs is levied, then it is peanuts and is collected by the postman. One does not have to run to the customs dept.

From 'our' experience, settle with "Indeed-Hi-Fi" as the seller.

To top it, you ALL know which speakers to select with the Topping. No risk now!!!!!!!

Stop being lazy, thats all I can say ..... hyeah:

 

[madbullram]

Btw: When I spoke to Peter of Indeed-hifi upto 50 there will be no discount and only a EMS upgrade in shipping. I dont see it favorable for group and that to may be to save some 500 rs wont be worth the trouble of waiting till it adds upto 50 etc + all customs hazzles etc.

If u want to buy 4-5 together then EMS upgarde is a good option to get in 1-2 weeks but customs will be a problem when packed as 5 pieces.

 

[hemantwaghe]

But, whats stopping you from importing direct?

It is so very easy. All you need to do is open an account with paypal and make the payment to them. Rest, everything is taken care of by the seller till it reaches the Indian customs. In most cases, you don't need to pay any duties and the postman hand delivers it to your doorsteps. Even if some customs is levied, then it is peanuts and is collected by the postman. One does not have to run to the customs dept.

From 'our' experience, settle with "Indeed-Hi-Fi" as the seller.

To top it, you ALL know which speakers to select with the Topping. No risk now!!!!!!!

Stop being lazy, thats all I can say ..... hyeah:

@ avidyarthy ..in fact that is wht my view kis --Importing will be better insted of GO

In Go if you save X% per item,your savings will be wiped out if duty charged will be XX % or XXX%

But I need expert views and confirmation

 

[doors666]

finally i made up my mind to read this gigantic thread. planning to get a tp20 for my desktop to replace the mx5021. will diy the 2.1 speakers, yet to decide on the drivers. probably some full range with maybe a cheapo tweeter.

The issues i have seen so far, with respect to the low impedence speakers, i wonder if its due to the power supply that is being used. has anyone tried a better supply, more than 5A. I read somewhere that it can run on higher voltages also, like 14v etc. has anyone tried this, is there a manual that comes with tp20 that gives these details.

 

[iaudio]

doors, how are you going to implement the .1 part?

 

[doors666]

doors, how are you going to implement the .1 part?

i already got a sub amp. the nht closeout foster 100w amp, for 35$. :yahoo: I still need to get a woofer.

any recommendations guys, for a cheap subwoofer or just a woofer? dont want to spend more than 50-60$, no more than 10". this is just for 100% music in a small room around11x15. if it hits around 35hz at -3db. i am ok. dont need huge spl levels either.

 

[keith_correa]

any recommendations guys, for a cheap subwoofer or just a woofer? dont want to spend more than 50-60$, no more than 10". this is just for 100% music in a small room around11x15. if it hits around 35hz at -3db. i am ok. dont need huge spl levels either.

Dayton DC200?

 

[psychotropic]

I just caught up on this thread. Group buy makes no sense for the Topping. It is the fact that it is so small and cheap and comes directly marked as a gift, that makes it such great value for money. And already we're getting it for 4k, I don't think there's a point in trying to make any savings on that!

But the idea to get the S30 for a group buy makes some sense. The speakers are out of stock all over the place, I wonder why. My friend has got hold of the last pair between Bangalore and Chennai. I am going to review it soon on the blog, and I am also going to do a full setup for 15k review NuForce Icon uDAC (3600), Topping TP20 (3900), Cambridge Audio S30 (8000). Okay it's a bit more than 15k, but I think it's going to be the cheapest entry point to quality sound for a full setup (source+amp+speakers).

 

[metalmickey]

Vinay We are waitng!.give us the review soon.i might even sell of my wharf9.5 and get this budget super kit!

 

[madbullram]

Doors: If you are going to play music directly from PC, I suggest TP30 which has a DAC thrown in. The music is better than TP20.

 

[doors666]

Doors: If you are going to play music directly from PC, I suggest TP30 which has a DAC thrown in. The music is better than TP20.

i have m-audio revolution 7.1, does a decent job. if i need better, i would spend the extra money (along with what i get from selling the m-audio) on getting an essence. If the music system turns out to be better than my main system (rxv-663 and B&W 602), then i will swap out the m-audio with the already existing essence from the htpc. i dont think the dac in tp30 is great anyway, i heard its pretty average, never tried it myself though.

 

[madbullram]

if you have an m-audio then no point. The DAC is perfect VFM for people who are playing from a laptop or comp with no decent sound card. I have it and am enjoying it with my laptop.

Btw: With B&W Diamond 805 both tp20 and 30 was lacking low end. Will be interesting to hear its pairing with 602.