Topping TP20 MK2 TA2020 Digital Amplifier
I've been an audio equipment enthusiast for 20+ years. Grew up with an electrical engineer dad, spent a lot of time inside radio stations and recording studios, and professionally installed home/car audio for some years in early adulthood. Yes, I've played with a lot of toys.
I wasn't really a believer in digital amplifiers, and have always appreciated the classic AB design for its warmth and musicality. No digital processing - only direct bypass, from music source-to-amplifier-to-you. After seeing a lot of buzz around class T amplifier, I had to see what it was all about, and got myself the Lepai to check it out. I was thoroughly surprised, not only at how much sound was coming out of a modestly priced and sized unit, but also a tone that wasn't surprisingly.. digital, but rather transparent and clean. One downer - the Lepai was cheap. It felt cheap, and after a certain volume, it sounded cheap and distorted. And there was a pop when I turned off the LePai. But I knew there was a lot of potential in class T amps, researched and debated between Dayton Audio and Topping.
I am SO GLAD I bought the Topping. The build is solid, classic and simple. If you're a music purist, you'd know that you don't need much more than a power button and volume control. And it's everything I liked about the Lepai + quality + better sound. No pop, no hiss, not even a little bit and runs cool. I tested it with several bookshelf speakers - Infinity, KEF, Boston, and currently have them paired with Definitive. Love it. Very clean sound. And more than enough volume for a 20x10 room.
Please note this is not the amp if you're trying to throw parties. And for the not so great reviews, I wonder if they realized that speaker pairing matters, as well as the audio source. This amp with bright speakers, can get a bit too bright. And you do get a little more from efficient speakers with this amp. Overall - this is an absolute steal. You can't even get a decent used amp off craigslist or ebay for this price (maybe, if you're lucky). This plus a decent pair of bookshelf speakers is still a better deal than any 2.1 or amplified (computer) speakers in the same price range. Amplified studio monitors run at least $400/pair. Best of all, the compact design gives it so much versatility without taking all that room that AB amps needed. These have replaced my main setup in the living room. And I plan to get more for music streaming to my Apple Airport express (used as repeater).
One wish: optical input and DAC. Bottom line: still worth it. Get it!!
Please buy this little amplifier. I hooked it up to my Samsung Galaxy Tab to play internet radio and on first hearing it, I really had a big smile on my face. While this amplifier cannot really play the music loudly, it makes it up by delivering it with so much clarity and warmth that one cannot help but say "WOW!" Plus, it's so simple to hook up and use.
BalasHapusI had a chance the other day to listen to the medley of the Carpenters in one of the internet radio stations and I became so immersed in the music, I completely forgot I was listening to this litte Topping amplifier.
Buy this! It is truly of high fidelity pedigree.
BalasHapusThis little amp is quite amazing. I have it paired up to my Mirage m1090i floor standing speakers and really can't believe the incredible warmth and smoothness this guy puts out. I thought for sure that it would not pair well with the Mirages. I hooked them up only because they were the most convenient ones to audition the amp with at the time. Well... this set-up is a keeper. I was going to order Cambridge Audio S30's due to there high impedance and efficiency. No need. All i can say is wow.
BalasHapusI've been an audio equipment enthusiast for 20+ years. Grew up with an electrical engineer dad, spent a lot of time inside radio stations and recording studios, and professionally installed home/car audio for some years in early adulthood. Yes, I've played with a lot of toys.
BalasHapusI wasn't really a believer in digital amplifiers, and have always appreciated the classic AB design for its warmth and musicality. No digital processing - only direct bypass, from music source-to-amplifier-to-you. After seeing a lot of buzz around class T amplifier, I had to see what it was all about, and got myself the Lepai to check it out. I was thoroughly surprised, not only at how much sound was coming out of a modestly priced and sized unit, but also a tone that wasn't surprisingly.. digital, but rather transparent and clean. One downer - the Lepai was cheap. It felt cheap, and after a certain volume, it sounded cheap and distorted. And there was a pop when I turned off the LePai. But I knew there was a lot of potential in class T amps, researched and debated between Dayton Audio and Topping.
I am SO GLAD I bought the Topping. The build is solid, classic and simple. If you're a music purist, you'd know that you don't need much more than a power button and volume control. And it's everything I liked about the Lepai + quality + better sound. No pop, no hiss, not even a little bit and runs cool. I tested it with several bookshelf speakers - Infinity, KEF, Boston, and currently have them paired with Definitive. Love it. Very clean sound. And more than enough volume for a 20x10 room.
Please note this is not the amp if you're trying to throw parties. And for the not so great reviews, I wonder if they realized that speaker pairing matters, as well as the audio source. This amp with bright speakers, can get a bit too bright. And you do get a little more from efficient speakers with this amp. Overall - this is an absolute steal. You can't even get a decent used amp off craigslist or ebay for this price (maybe, if you're lucky). This plus a decent pair of bookshelf speakers is still a better deal than any 2.1 or amplified (computer) speakers in the same price range. Amplified studio monitors run at least $400/pair. Best of all, the compact design gives it so much versatility without taking all that room that AB amps needed. These have replaced my main setup in the living room. And I plan to get more for music streaming to my Apple Airport express (used as repeater).
One wish: optical input and DAC. Bottom line: still worth it. Get it!!
Even though this is considered the poor man's amp, this is one little powerhouse. The technical specs are there for all to see and the TP20 chip itself is quite legendary. The best thing about Topping as compared to the other cheaper variations of TP20 amps out there is the sturdy construction. The metal body feels extremely well machined and the connectors are solid too. No flimsy stuff used here. The adapter included is 110/220v and looks to be made of good quality too
BalasHapusExtremely recommended at this price point.
Bought this to power a pair of paradigm mini monitors as my computer speakers. This amp pumps way more sound than I was expecting! It gets loud enough to be painful without distorting. This amp also has incredible sound, it is very well balanced with my speakers.
BalasHapusThe build quality is also very impressive. The on off switch is incredibly satisfying.