Thanks for an awesome video. I enjoyed it. I'm so glad to see Topping paying attention to customer feedback, and refining their products. I'm an existing Topping user, and will no doubt be buying more Topping gear in the future.
I have a Parasound collecting dust right now. Ive been through 3 class AB amps. Very good. And big. And heavy, and inefficient. But very good. Previous to that I had NC400 class D and right now Orchard Audio Galium Nitride circuit Starkrimson monoblocks. Hands down the best *sounding* and best performing amps were and are the 2 class D. I also currently have a tube headphone amp. The only amp im interested in next is the big model Orchard Audio to drive some future big towers. Class D has gone from a rough infancy to the state of the art. You can put all the burnished brass you want over an AB circuit. Modern class D is just superior. It's the price that irks people. Common people have access to the same (better) performance.
I have to disagree; I have /had Hypex Ncore amps, Ice Audio, TPA , and I don't know how many other Class D amps (haven't tried the GaN amps so I can't speak for those) and although they do sound good and are certainly very practical they just don't sound as good as a really well designed Class AB in my experience.
Wish i had this thing way back then when i started in ny Hifi journey. Specs like these were unheard of back then and you would pay a fortune for far worst. Like i did many times , ...
After i have tried many amplifiers for last 5 years. Now i like only Tube amplifiers with low watt. 14watt or less with high and good efficiency speakers ..... best dor classic, conceets and jazz vocal If i havecto pick a solid state then i puck just 1 of following ones 1. Pass Labs X25 2. Firat Watt J2 or SIT
Helpful review! How does the sound compare when using the RCA inputs vs. the balanced ones? Said differently, does this amp make sense if not using balanced inputs?
@@Tharbamar Thanks! So will RCA into a balanced preamp like the Topping Pre90 work well? Just wondering if I can use it with my unbalanced DAC or if you ideally would use it with a balanced DAC like the E70.
Thanks for the great video. I am confused as to how you connected the WiiM Pro to the Topping. You link XLR to TRS cables but I don't see XLR outs on the WiiM Pro. Are you using an adapter of some sort? Thanks
Thank you very much for the review. What cables (TRS to XLR) are you using to connect the PA5 II Plus to the DAC? I thought they were the Mogami 2534, but from the image of the TRS connected to the amplifier, it doesn't look like the 2534.
I really like your reviews! I have a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 225 and an old Marantz PM6003 amplifier. Would the Topping be a better choice for my speakers?
Hi, sound preferences are always subjective but for the performance and quality of the sound alone I would say PA5 II plus is better match than Marantz with D225, Thank you.
@Tharbama Could you please compare the SMSL AO200MKii VS Topping PA5 II ? Your opinion on both from your perspective and which you would go for? In stacking with the little SU-1 DAC? I would really love you know your thoughts please. 🙏🏻 Thank you so much in advance.
AO200MK II is more feature rich with flexibility in connection, PA5 II have better power and control at high volume levels, they rest is depending paring system and personal preference. Thanks
@@Tharbamar Yes.. but topping's response to the Pa5 incident was terrible.. no transparency (did not disclose root of issue, ghosted members on ASR and reddit, did not offer recalls or anything of the sort, justifying it as "It's not dangerous so it's fine"), seemingly very high failure rates because of the inherent design of the unit, dropped off the face of the planet after a year under interesting circumstances, and seemingly did not offer much support to their retailers, because they were *very* stingy about giving back refunds to customers, even when they could not even offer a replacement unit. It took me 8 months to recoup $300 of in-store credit on a $350 purchase, and topping's support team did not offer any help. There's a lot of evidence to this over @ ASR, with one member even finding the root of the issue. I even reached out to John yang by PM, who when asked specific questions about the unit- How prevalent are the failures, why did the verified topping service account and your account ghost people for months on end right around the time the Pa5 was discontinued, can you clarify the warranty policy, etc. He responded with a message that pretty much just said "It's fixed, it wont happen again." There needs to be accountability, here, and to the extent my knowledge topping has shown itself to not have very much of that. As a Chinese company, they're insulated. Imo the performance is not exceptional and is only class-leading for very niche practical applications, so with both of these things in mind it's just not something I like.
It’s other way around, you can’t connect RCA out from your SUB to your amp it doesn’t work that way. How are you going to get the audio signal to your sub if you connect it wrongly?
Thanks for an awesome video. I enjoyed it. I'm so glad to see Topping paying attention to customer feedback, and refining their products. I'm an existing Topping user, and will no doubt be buying more Topping gear in the future.
Love this sound! ❤
I have a Parasound collecting dust right now. Ive been through 3 class AB amps. Very good. And big. And heavy, and inefficient. But very good. Previous to that I had NC400 class D and right now Orchard Audio Galium Nitride circuit Starkrimson monoblocks. Hands down the best *sounding* and best performing amps were and are the 2 class D. I also currently have a tube headphone amp. The only amp im interested in next is the big model Orchard Audio to drive some future big towers. Class D has gone from a rough infancy to the state of the art. You can put all the burnished brass you want over an AB circuit. Modern class D is just superior. It's the price that irks people. Common people have access to the same (better) performance.
I have to disagree; I have /had Hypex Ncore amps, Ice Audio, TPA , and I don't know how many other Class D amps (haven't tried the GaN amps so I can't speak for those) and although they do sound good and are certainly very practical they just don't sound as good as a really well designed Class AB in my experience.
Спасибо было интересно! Но я люблю усилитель на MA12070
Wish i had this thing way back then when i started in ny Hifi journey. Specs like these were unheard of back then and you would pay a fortune for far worst. Like i did many times , ...
Class D certainly better now. Time to sell my Class A :)
Thanks for sharing.
After i have tried many amplifiers for last 5 years. Now i like only Tube amplifiers with low watt. 14watt or less with high and good efficiency speakers ..... best dor classic, conceets and jazz vocal
If i havecto pick a solid state then i puck just 1 of following ones
1. Pass Labs X25
2. Firat Watt J2 or SIT
Topping PA5 II paired with upcoming Wiim Ultra? Any other amp recommendations in this price point
Wish you could try the classdaudio inc’s Mini GaN 5 Gallion Nitrade amp
Helpful review! How does the sound compare when using the RCA inputs vs. the balanced ones? Said differently, does this amp make sense if not using balanced inputs?
RCA input is okay, Balanced is a must to get the best out from any Class D amplifier, thanks
@@Tharbamar Thanks! So will RCA into a balanced preamp like the Topping Pre90 work well? Just wondering if I can use it with my unbalanced DAC or if you ideally would use it with a balanced DAC like the E70.
Thanks for the great video. I am confused as to how you connected the WiiM Pro to the Topping. You link XLR to TRS cables but I don't see XLR outs on the WiiM Pro. Are you using an adapter of some sort? Thanks
Thank you very much for the review. What cables (TRS to XLR) are you using to connect the PA5 II Plus to the DAC? I thought they were the Mogami 2534, but from the image of the TRS connected to the amplifier, it doesn't look like the 2534.
I think I’m using Monolith Premium Cable in this video. Thanks
@@Tharbamar Thank you.
How does it compare to the fosi audio V3?
I really like your reviews! I have a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 225 and an old Marantz PM6003 amplifier. Would the Topping be a better choice for my speakers?
Hi, sound preferences are always subjective but for the performance and quality of the sound alone I would say PA5 II plus is better match than Marantz with D225, Thank you.
@@TharbamarHow about PA5 ll vs SMSL AO200 MK ll?
@@ManfromTellusI just asked the same question to him.
better than the SMSL al200 /aoo200mkii?
Clean power delivery is better, especially at high SPL.
Hi, good video! Can you tell me where the Accuphase is standing on (brand)? Does it improve the sound or is it just aesthetics?😉
It just the riser.
@@Tharbamar And from which brand is it? It looks nice and I want to buy one for myself.
Great video!
Awesome,
I want that sound (neutral with power)in affordable mono blocks for my kef ls 50 metas?
Any recommendations highly welcomed 😅
XTZ a-s 300 I use with cambridge V2 100wpc easy rated at 150wpc, not sure how that would translate to the Kef's .
I use xtz 99.25s
Do you still have the R11s?
Too polite
How's this vs sabaj a30a?
X2
@Tharbama
Could you please compare the SMSL AO200MKii VS Topping PA5 II ?
Your opinion on both from your perspective and which you would go for? In stacking with the little SU-1 DAC?
I would really love you know your thoughts please. 🙏🏻
Thank you so much in advance.
AO200MK II is more feature rich with flexibility in connection, PA5 II have better power and control at high volume levels, they rest is depending paring system and personal preference. Thanks
Honestly, the only head-scratcher I see here is how people-and retailers- are still willing to buy the PA5 after getting shafted by Topping.
True head-scratcher to me is why would you confused with PA5 and PA-5 II Plus 🤔, joking aside it’s not same as PA-5 you know from 2021.
@@Tharbamar Yes.. but topping's response to the Pa5 incident was terrible.. no transparency (did not disclose root of issue, ghosted members on ASR and reddit, did not offer recalls or anything of the sort, justifying it as "It's not dangerous so it's fine"), seemingly very high failure rates because of the inherent design of the unit, dropped off the face of the planet after a year under interesting circumstances, and seemingly did not offer much support to their retailers, because they were *very* stingy about giving back refunds to customers, even when they could not even offer a replacement unit. It took me 8 months to recoup $300 of in-store credit on a $350 purchase, and topping's support team did not offer any help.
There's a lot of evidence to this over @ ASR, with one member even finding the root of the issue. I even reached out to John yang by PM, who when asked specific questions about the unit- How prevalent are the failures, why did the verified topping service account and your account ghost people for months on end right around the time the Pa5 was discontinued, can you clarify the warranty policy, etc. He responded with a message that pretty much just said "It's fixed, it wont happen again."
There needs to be accountability, here, and to the extent my knowledge topping has shown itself to not have very much of that. As a Chinese company, they're insulated. Imo the performance is not exceptional and is only class-leading for very niche practical applications, so with both of these things in mind it's just not something I like.
Please what feet do you use under the amp
Thanks
@@terryjom8392you need special ears to hear the difference they provide I'd bet
Hi, the link is in the video description.
@@Tharbamar thanks
Just to clarify. The way I understood, you used an rca to trs adapter cable which means the signal going into Topping PA5 II was unbalanced.
Nope all balanced, you might have missed it I did clearly mention in this video everything is based on TRS-XLR balanced.
the fact that this amp has an rca output means i can use a subwoofer setup
No it’s input only.
@@Tharbamar sorry input. My subwoofer has an output that i can plug into the input of the rcas of the amp.
It’s other way around, you can’t connect RCA out from your SUB to your amp it doesn’t work that way.
How are you going to get the audio signal to your sub if you connect it wrongly?
Not enough power and dry sounding
Explain more and do you have any other options?
Do you have an amp you prefer in this price range?
I'm looking to match with Elac DBR62.
my ears bleeds !
😻