Topping PA7 plus amplifier review and comparisons
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- čas přidán 26. 07. 2024
- The Topping PA7 Plus amplifier goes for $549.
Buy on Apos: apos.audio/products/topping-p...
Read my written reviews with scores at iiwireviews.com/
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00:00 Intro
00:19 About PA7
04:51 Sound
07:31 vs Hegel H90
09:36 Anything it can't do?
11:15 vs Topping PA5
12:49 vs SMSL AO200 MKII
15:18 An educated guess
16:12 vs Atoll IN100
17:28 Conclusion
Follow me on Instagram for behind the scene stuff: / iiwireviews
Test system:
Eversolo DMP-A6: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DEh...
Gustard R26 DAC: bit.ly/3XLyNCF
Acoustic Invader AMP and PREAMP (Fulcrum version): acousticinvader.com/
Spirit Wind Speakers
KEF LS50 speakers: amzn.to/2ztRg0s
Head-Fi:
Topping A90D: bit.ly/3Mrk0KY
Verum 1: www.verum-audio.com/store
Goldplanar GL2000: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DkW...
AKG K702: amzn.to/3TSlnUF
#hifi #audiophile #amlifier #stereo - Věda a technologie
Hi Srboljub, thank you for this review! I bought the PA7 Plus about two months ago and I can agree with almost everything you said. I always watch your reviews with high interest and have learned a lot from your channel. My system includes Topping PA7 Plus, E70 velvet and wiim mini and I'm very hapy with it. The first days this amplifier sounded a bit flat to me, but after a few days I was amazed by its dynamics and I didn't expected this.
P.s. My PA7 Plus runs pretty warm.
I was an early adopter of the PA7. I have it paired with the regular E70. Beautiful sounding and looking pairing. No reliability issues to speak of. As you suggest, crystal clear with deep inky background and wide and defined soundstage. I initially thought I may have lost some grunt when I replaced my A/B amp with this class D but my ears have adjusted and REW SPL measurments confirm a flat response with a slight bass boost if anything in my room. I may look into waterfall graphs as well to see if time delays and resonance has changed. Maybe thats what people are thinking of when they are thinking of grunt. PA7 has plenty of power for my speakers. No regrets on my decsion to go for this pair.
Hey Sorbo you make our job picking great sounding audio equipment easy, love your channel, best on CZcams, keep up the great reviews
Very measured and informative review. Thank you for the introduction to this amp and the comparative analysis to other equipment. Much appreciated as always .
Would be nice if you could make the comparison with LA90D
In this flood of such and different hi-fi devices (new models and brands appear practically every day in all possible versions). This has already become like a fast fashion in the clothing industry. Anyway kudos to your channel, you're doing a great job.That's just how I feel lately around this hi fi stuff.
I just don’t know what to think. These class D mini amps are always reviewed in near field and in isolation to entry level A/B amps.
1970s electronics are shooting up in price thanks to internet hype. But 2000s electronics can still be found for cheap. I’m thinking that my Creek 4240 amp is a better deal than this Topping. It’s built like a tank and sounds powerful despite its diminutive size and specs. My point is, Creek made a good small amp 2 decades ago and few people cared. I’d like to compare with this Topping amp but I don’t feel like buying more stuff.
I've spent a small fortune watching this channel.
Wow!Loving this review!
Thank you for another great and 💯 honest review with comparisons 🤗
I bought Topping E70 Velvet after your review, i might get PA-7 Plus too 🙂
Сильно греется.
Thanks for reviewing this. A first for the topping PA 7 plus.
Thank you for a very good review
Excellent, cool runnings
I sure do love your reviews. I’ve been watching since the very start. It was very good then now you’re simply fantastic.👏🏼👍❤
Tks you for yr reply and information.
Thank you Srboljube for detail and honest info. Very good info about nearfield application and realistic expectations. Any plans on SMSL AL200 review? This one seems like something different then usual TPA3xxx amps.
We need a head to head with the LA90. It's only 250 more than the PA7+
Very much enjoying your recent amp reviews! I agree it would be great to hear a comparison to Cambridge amps as I am leaning toward PA7 but the second hand market is better for Cambridge
I've given up on all these small class D amps that measure well on paper. I picked up a vintage 250wpc class AB by Ramsa (Panasonic) and its more engaging, more organic, more foot tapping and has all kinds of grunt. Oh and the used vintage amp was the same price or less.
Thanks for sharing.
nice idea having a balanced connection which receives TRS & XLR ✌😎👍pity no remote control.
chi-fi is offering good value, but the warranties are too short.
good review, thank you
Hi, Thank you for this great review, love all your reviews, subscribed to your channel ! Do you think it would improve the sound changing my smsl da9 to topping pa7 plus int terms of dinamics and soundstage ? My system has a smsl M500mk2 dac, and a qacoustics 3030i.
Glad for great news and great video! Can you do Sabaj a30a?
I hear it's very good.
Same question...
Thank you for a very good review, do you have any recomendations for TSR cables??
I subscribed because of your Kakashi shirt.
Hello iiWi...found your channel and am loving it your my new favorite reviewer of audio stuff...i was wondering what your reccommendation would be for a dac and head amp for a pair of kali audio studio monitors and a pair of 50ohm planar magnetic headphones? i currently use a topping dx3 pro the older one and its ok but not detailed enough and not nearly enough power for the headphones.
Hi Srboljub, what do you think about using the Topping E70 Velvet as the DAC + preamp, and the PA7 Plus as the power amp? Will the preamp section of the E70 Velvet be good enough? I like the looks of matching dac/pre-power stack. Coupled with the Wiim Mini, this could be a complete stack for around 1k. Thanks.
Hi
Exclent and stunning review as always!
Can you help me decide between topping vs sabaj 30a with kef ls50?
Thanks very much shay
Thanks Srbo, great review, as usual. Detailed and explanatory.
Did you maybe try the Eversolo as a streamer/dac/preamp to this Topping?
If you did, did you find it too bright? For as much as I know, Eversolo tends to be on a bright side of things...
Hi Vlado, I didn't use EverSolo's analog outs because I don't expect that to be a good combination - it's clean and lean sound signature times two. PA7 would work best with something that has fuller tone timbre like Chord Mojo 2. Even Topping's own E70/velvet would be a better match than EverSolo.
Thank you for the review, I'm very thankful for many important information and sharing your opinions/feelings.
I need some help, looking for a new integrated amp for (mostly) LOW VOLUME listening jazz/rock.
Started to look for class-AB model and consider Hegel H90, Audiolab 6000A.
Have Monitor Audio Silver speakers but after reading your review I started considering Topping PA7.
Are cheaper class-D amps able to compete with class-AB for low volume listening?
A friend is trying to convince me to stay with class-AB but I'm still looking for good amp able to create a soundstage without being loud...
Could you please share some tips for a such amp?
I have a Cambridge audio cxa80 paired with topping e70. It would be nice to buy this amplifier and stack them as go together. But is this a worthy upgrade from the cxa80?
I wish Topping and other manufacturers move upscale to more integrated products instead of many variants of the same module components.
Is the Topping PA7 Plus + Topping E70 VELVET overkill for the Wharfedale 12.1 speakers + SVS SB1000 PRO?
Hello! How does it compare to the Rega Brio class AB amplifier? Which of the two would you choose?
Brio has more faty bassline, more loose sound overall with more slam but less grip. PA7 plus is more neutral, with more precision and better pinpointing.
So it depends on the rest of the system and matching.... And finally your taste.
Hi
I buy this Amp base on your review, combined with ls 50 meta
The sound is very good also big soundstage.
The only problem the bass is missing 😢
Probably your speaker. I get a lot of base with Kef LS50.
I can't live without my Emotiva high pass switch (100 hz) which sends lows to pre out so I can bi-amp my four 15" woofers.
Nice review. I think the big sounding slam of Class AB amps is from 2nd order harmonic distortion…which leads me to believe that this amp would synergize nicely with a tube preamp or warmer Class A solid state tube pre amp…as this amp only seems to be missing one ingredient 😉
Lack of slam, punch, authority and low-end is almost certainly the power supply, and the incredibly thin lead connecting it to the amplifier. Basically, lots of volts, not much current. 200 watts @ 4 ohms is 7 amps. Put money on it, that's all the current it can deliver. My 20+ year old, 50 watt (8 ohm) integrated can kick out 20 amp peaks. Hence, it's got punch, and can fill a room with sound.
@@RacingAnt 52 volts at 6.5 amps is pretty darn good. Not sure on the impedance curve of his speakers but he doesn’t appear to be in a huge space so I’m not convinced he was running out of current
@@seanb3303 6.5 amps is only 3.25 per channel. At 3 ohms (a typical minimum impedance for an 8 ohm rated speaker), that's only 30 watts. Yes, it's a 300 watt supply, but we're not struggling with volts at this point - it's current to drive those speakers. A 30 volt, 10 amp supply would be driving 75 watts into each of the same speakers. Ok, peak power would be lower, but it would generate a more room filling sound. My old Arcam Alpha 2 was only 30 watts, but would drive speakers better than many 80 watt amplifiers, as it could deliver the current needed. Trouble is, this doesn't sell amplifiers (apart from to those that know), but huge theoretical outputs do.
@@RacingAnt it looks like he is running jeff bagby spirit wind speakers…likely lower impedance as DIY. Living room in background looks smaller…i think he’s in Yugoslavia..so maybe a 12X16ish room…I guess it would depend how loud he cranks it.
It's 4.4x7.2m (15x23ft) room with some open spaces in the back, but I'm sitting in the midfield listening arangment and I really don't crank the volume much most of the times. Spirit Winds are not particularly difficult load, not more than KEF LS50 that I also used with this amp. Not particularly easy either to be honest.
That said, I recently had a 50W tube amp driving them both without much problem. It couldn't hold as firm grip on the bassline as some more powerful amps, but the sheer slam wasn't lacking.
Topping PA5, SMSL A300, and AO200 MKII exhibit this same type of restrained sound character when it comes to slam and big swings, and I tried those with several more sensitive speakers that don't dip much with impedance.
To cut it short, it's a character of the
amp. Hegel H90 had that same character too.
BTW, just a bit of trivia - Yugoslavia fell apart in 1992 when I was like 7 years old.
Nice work as usual 👍🏻 Is there possible to get this as monoblocks, then it would be really interesting and possibly more punch?
If it's a fully balanced design, then there's no bridging the outputs - it's effectively already bridged. Issue for slam and room filling sound isn't a lack of volts (which bridging into mono would add), it's likely a lack of current delivery. I'd bet it outputs a max of 7 or 8 amps, so will only kick out 50 to 60 watts into 1 ohm, or 7 to 8 volts, when it's kicking out around 32 volts at 8 ohms. So, no grunt to really move a real world speaker.
TLdr - this 250 watt amplifier behaves like an 8 watt amplifier when driving real world speakers, unless those speakers are a really easy load.
@@RacingAnt1 ohm loads are not "real world" speakers. Most speakers now a days are 8ohm nominal and dip to 4 ohm at certain frequency only. Why would this amp not put out enough current for the most common speakers?
@@ckamireddy you've obviously been reading different technical reviews to me. Many speakers that are labelled 8 ohms, still have an EPDR (that's the effective resistance, that takes the phase angle of the current vs voltage into account) under 2 ohms.
@@RacingAnt PA7 produces 125 watts into 8 ohms and nearly twice the power into 4 Ohms for my bookshelf speakers which need anywhere from 20-100 watts. I sleep fine at night.
@@ckamireddy I'm sure you do. My comment was a technical observation, around the reported lack of punch and room filling sound. If the amp works perfectly for you, then surely that's all that matters? Nothing is perfect in this world, and if that amplifier's advantages and compromises works for you, then that's awesome. It doesn't stop my comment from being correct.
Terrible experience buying Topping PA5, warranty nightmare. Otherwise, I would buy this
So, to understand that I should not change my Hegel H80 (which is comparable with H90), with this PA7 Plus, because I will not win nothing in sound, and will be, let's say, a step to the side, more or less. I use my current audio system, in a desktop regime, two Dynaudio Emit 10 on either side of the monitor, connected to a Hegel H80.
Sounds like they increased the resolution but it doesn't have much current for its wattage
Many class D amps have enough power for its voltage and no more headroom. ASR has measurements on this amp, it does about 200 watts at 4 ohms. I had this amp and it sounds good. I sent it back because it doesn't offer anything over my $3k amp, 😅 and I didn't need it. No issue with it or how it sounded.
@@DearSXyeah, likely limited to around 8 amps, which means no grunt to really move a speaker cone at low frequencies, hence the lack of punch. 8 amps is 8 watts at 1 ohm. Many speakers have an effective resistance (EPDR) that's in the 1 to 2 ohm range at certain frequencies.
How about comparison with Fosi V3 ?
Fosi V3 is coming soon so I will compare them at some point.
I wish someone on CZcams would review the Mini GaN 5 class d amp (Gallium Nitrade powered amp).
I have this amp and it's sound good with wiim pro plus and dali oberon 3, but if somebody can help me about lyngdorf tdai-1120 it s an upgrade over topping in terms of sound reproduction?
No remote and no sub out is a deal breaker for me.
👋 HI, SRBJ 💚💚💚
I would buy one today, if it had a remote.
Hi, do you hear hiss from the tweeters? I have bought multiple class D amps and they all produce speaker hiss.
I can't hear anything. it was delivered today. This amplifier sounds very good. I have an SMS ao200 mk2 and there was a lot of noise there.
@@AdamMrozek84 Thank you for your respond :))) I can hear a lot of noise out of the AO200 mkii and AO300, and I have been searching for a class d power amp to connect to my class A/B integrated amp for my main listening room. I will order the PA7 Plus and try it out.
@@dukeandappricot No problem. I have pa7 without plus. The difference between pa7 and plus is only a slightly more powerful power supply.
Btw, my speakers have 92 db sensitivity
topping pa7 or small sa400 ? which one do you prefer ?
I never tried SA400 so can't say.
I have a (very good) smsl a300 with triangle br09. I appreciate neutral sound (triangle are open speakers) . This topping versus smsl worth the update?
For me it was worth it, I have SMSL AO200 MK2 and it was worth it, it is more powerful and I don't hear any noise.
@@AdamMrozek84 how Is the sound stage ?
@@andrearossi5491 Honestly, I can't hear the difference. You can hear better instrument separation and stereo imaging. It has better dynamics. Zero pop when turning on and off and plenty of power. I have Pa7 without plus. There is no point in paying more for a slightly more power supply. In my opinion, thanks to this, it will not heat up as much as in the plus version, which will increase its reliability
Hi Sir how about the sound for PA7 is it close to PA7 plus , can PA7 pair with use 100watt speaker or 200 watt Speaker. Tks you
The only difference is power. I haven't tried non-plus version but Plus probably sounds a bit more dynamic and alive. Tonality and other qualities should be the same.
Tks for yr information so for PA7 plus the speaker at less how many watts tks
the ability and technology is there...make a 500-watt per channel class D integrated amp that is as good as a Hegel amp for $800...it can be done
Oh wow. The pa7 plus is def better than the pa5 huh? The pa5 II is about the same as the pa5 btw. Slightly more bass because of its power output.
I have a burson funk max otw which retails for 800. Wonders how the pa7 plus compares. Hope you can get one in.
It’s an class AB amp and now i’m wondering how this topping would sound with it as a preamp? The preamp i use in my desktop is from my dac. Maybe going separates would improve the sound even more? My speakers are about 1200 for a pair.
This is one of the few times I may disagree with some thoughts in the review. If Atoll IN100 Signature is able to handle dynamics better than the PA7+, then probably Hegel H90 will too. Be careful with out of memory comparisons... Nevertheless, very informative, thanks.
Memory can be a tricky thing but Atoll IN100 is doing dynamic swings better than Hegel H90. I loved it for its many qualities but even my old Cyrus 8vs2 had better kick then it. Now, H190 was a different thing but that's in another price league so I was limiting this comparison to H90 only.
Hi, this may be a language issue but amplifiers don't have any "power handling", they have power outputs. I think you are mixing the terms up?
I wanted to say power output or power delivery but got tangled with words... Speaking English while filming and trying to be concise is not easy for me because I consume a lot of it but rarely get a chance to practice speaking. Proper grammar is usually the first to go but I mix phrases sometimes too.
@@iiWiReviews As a natural English speaker, I find your articulation and pronunciation exemplary.
Over the years, a lot of years, I’ve spent way too much money on HiFi gear. You and other reviewers how much more bang for the buck you can get these days, and then some when you figure in inflation.
How about Topping quality control and long term durability, anybody have a comment ?
I own Topping and SMSL products for years ,No problems yet. Use them on a daliy basis ,for the money you won't find better .
bought the PA5 from HifiGO and had issues, just like so many others. It was such an awful Warranty experience, worst ever! Topping PTSD sufferer now 😢
Don’t expect too much quality or reliability, Topping still needs a few years to prove themselves. So far, not a great track record, mainly talking about their amps. But I had an issue with a DAC they messed up too. If you are in North America, buy from Apos.
I second Apos. @@tallpaull9367
I've had topping HP and SMSL DAC, 3 months no issues, let's see in a year
An even bigger power supply with more amperes would probably help it in a bigger room.
Assuming current limiting on the output stages doesn't cripple it...
Big current requires big output transistors equals big $$$$. I'd guess the power supply can only handle 8 amps, and the output stage maybe 10.
@@RacingAnt The power supply is 52v 6.5 amps. The PA7 plus reportedly has dual tpa3255 amp chips. A single one can be powered with 48v 10 amps.
@@D1N02 yeah, beefier PSU will definitely help if it's only 6.5amps. If that's shared between the 2 channels, then it's really going to struggle in real world situations. No surprise there's no punch or slam 😞 Decent stereo class D, 250 watt amplifiers pack 1,200 watt+ PSUs, not 300 watts. Yes, the one I'm thinking of is $1200, but it's likely worth the price.
I don't really get the specs of this product. Who needs 250 watts in a desktop amp? 30 (with the current delivery to truly back that up) would be more than enough. But it can't drive speakers in a large space either. 🤷
i would like to know which sounds more natural (better timbre) pa7+ or smsl a300
PA7+ but still I would not describe it as rich in timbre.
@@iiWiReviewsthanks for the quick reply! I am digging deep in your reviews because I want to upgrade my electronics after getting a new pair of R3 Meta. Currently they are running with Modi+ and Aiyima A07 + sparkos opamps. I liked your comments regarding Smsl d300 and Brio/A300. I enjoy a rich and natural midrange as I am spoiled for using Senns Hd650 for over a decade and would like to get similar sound from speakers. Any suggestions? I will continue to watch your reviews
PS: Brio could be great but i’m concerned it doesn’t have the power to drive the R3 meta with authority and full woofer control
@@iiWiReviewsI forgot to mention that i’m considering iFi Zen One Signature as well. I have the Zen DAC V1 and tried in my main system, and really liked its tone, which is more organic and natural than Modi+, but it lacks separation, don’t have a wide soundstage, it’s more congested and lacks the deep bass and punch from the Modi+. I wonder if the better zen one sig would maintain the natural sound but solve these issues. could pair well with the neutral pa7+…
You pairede pa7 with kef? How it sounds?@@mxjoaoo
HEGEL SOUND!
Always listen to my audio vampyre! Ah.........
Hi & how are you? Can I use this Topping PA7 plus amplifier to drive a pair of Klipsch Cornwall IV speakers? My other speakers are Sonus Faber Sonetto V speakers. Thanks.
Matching makes the magic happen. Match higher ends speakers with higher end amps. While Bata makes great shoes, u wouldn't see me wearing a Louis Vuitton with a pair of Bata shoes.
Toppings best products are good with thier the entery level equipment. There soundstage usualy is not the best and it doe not get much better as you go up on the ranks off dacs. Don't do it, I got the topping a-10 and e-30. They were ok for the money but if you want to upgrade you are going to have at least doube what you paid foe the E-50 or more. Get a used Denafrips Ares and be done and happy for at least a little while. 🤑
These power numbers are at 10% THD so basically useless. Clean power will be around 50-60W @ 8Ohms maybe. Greetings from Sofia, keep the good work!
In this video I presented only the power rating at 1% THD. It's higher at 10% and you can find it in the spec sheet... but I didn't include that one.
seems like SMSL AO200MKII is better choice
I think so too, it also has a remote control, display and tone controls.
Both reliable as moskvich😂
I had this amp and it sounded great, got plenty loud and was easy to work with and very small. I returned it cause I didn't really need it as it sounded very similar to my $3k amp, but with less power. I kept the D70 pro preamp cause its also very clean. Have no issues with either.
Class D...isn't it...peace!
Yes, no other way to cram 100+ Watts in such compact device.
U knew D class...power efficientcy.
If u liked D..then AGD is world best..yup audience. Peace3
First
LMAO 😂
Why so ugly design... If improve the design and named not "Topping" and much more european like Digital Foundation/BeeAmp/DeepDAC and other, it increase of brand recognize in other countries exclude China