GirgleMirt
500+ Head-Fier
After learning of Topping and doing some reading, I was thinking of picking up a Topping D3 to upgrade an Aune T1's power section. For instance because from quick research, some have mentioned in a thread that the D3 tops the Aune T1 (http://www.head-fi.org/t/666845/topping-d3-june-2013-release-dac-headphone-amp/15)
So I'm wondering if there's a better bet? Actually, the Topping A30 is also available at the same price, 110$US and looking at the specs, it looks like the A30 (pure amp) is quite a bit more powerful than the D3 (DAC & amp):
So it looks like the A30 would make a lot more sense as I'd already have an Aune T1 (original) I think I could use as a DAC, which is supposedly quite good. So for amplification, the Aune T1 amp (original) seems to be underpowered vs A30 but not so much vs D3. (btw T1 not spec'd at 600 ohms? Also how come the D3 only has 165mW at 32 ohms vs the other two 1000+?)
But anyway, my current headphones are: Hifiman 400i, AKG Q701, Senn 598, Grados SR80, Beyer 990 600 oms Premium. But mostly I'd be looking to drive best the 400i. Looks like the 400i are 35 Ohms... Strange! With 990s I'm sometimes at 100% volume, and the 400i just requires a little less volume, maybe 90%... Anyway, power, the A30 is most powerful, so I'm guessing it should be quite a decent upgrade?
Topping at ali is 110$US shipped to Canada, which seems quite a bargain, is there anything else I should be looking at? I also have an original Modi/Magni which seemed to drive the 400i a bit better... Or just Repatriate the Magni? A Magni Uber is 65$US more than A30 when considering shipping and has about the same power... Something else?
Thanks!!
Just got mine, I can safely says that it's leap and bound better than Aune T1, in resolution and dynamic. Of course you don't get that tube sound with this but it can be fixed with tube buffer or amp, as a whole package I like D3 far better for the price (and it suits my music preference). Oh forgot that my impression is with a custom made linear regulated PSU, the PSU that come with the unit is pretty crappy.
So I'm wondering if there's a better bet? Actually, the Topping A30 is also available at the same price, 110$US and looking at the specs, it looks like the A30 (pure amp) is quite a bit more powerful than the D3 (DAC & amp):
D3 Headphone amplifier: | A30 | |
| Suitable Headphone Impedance | 16-600Ω | 16-600Ω |
| Maximum output power | 165mW (RL=32Ω, THD+N=1%) | 1551mW x 2 (PO=Hi, 6.35 output, RL=32Ω,THD+N=1%) |
| 110mW (RL=300Ω, THD+N=1%) | 291mW x 2 (PO=Hi, 6.35 output, RL=300Ω,THD+N=1%) | |
| 70mW (RL=600Ω, THD+N=1%) | 152mW x 2 (PO=Hi, 6.35 output, RL=600Ω,THD+N=1%) | |
| 757mW x 2 (PO=Hi, 3.5 output, RL=32Ω,THD+N=1%) | ||
| 258mW x 2 (PO=Hi, 3.5 output, RL=300Ω,THD+N=1%) | ||
| 143mW x 2 (PO=Hi, 3.5 output, RL=600Ω,THD+N=1%) | ||
| Maximum output voltage swing | 19.2Vpp | 26.6Vpp |
| Minimum THD+N | 0.0007% (RL=32Ω, Pout=50mW) | 0.0019% (RL=32Ω, Gain=0dB,IN=0.5Vrms) |
| THD+N(@1kHz) | 0.0032% (RL=32Ω, Pout=50mW) | 0.0003% (RL=300Ω, Gain=9dB,IN=0.5Vrms) |
| 0.0006% (RL=600Ω, Gain=18dB,IN=0.5Vrms) | ||
| Frequency response | 4-32kHz±0.04dB | 10-200kHz |
| Input sensitivity | 2.3Vrms | 10.0Vrms (PO=Hi, Gain=0dB) |
| 3.3Vrms (PO=Hi, Gain=9dB) | ||
| 1.2Vrms (PO=Hi, Gain=18dB) | ||
| Noise | <10μV | 2.2μV (RL=32Ω, Gain=0dB) |
| 3.2μV (RL=32Ω, Gain=9dB) | ||
| 8.2μV (RL=32Ω, Gain=18dB) | ||
| Gain(@1kHz) | 9dB | 0dB / 9dB / 18dB |
| SNR | 110dB | 126dB (PO=Hi, Gain=0dB) |
| 121dB (PO=Hi, Gain=9dB) | ||
| 111dB(PO=Hi, Gain=18dB) |
So it looks like the A30 would make a lot more sense as I'd already have an Aune T1 (original) I think I could use as a DAC, which is supposedly quite good. So for amplification, the Aune T1 amp (original) seems to be underpowered vs A30 but not so much vs D3. (btw T1 not spec'd at 600 ohms? Also how come the D3 only has 165mW at 32 ohms vs the other two 1000+?)
But anyway, my current headphones are: Hifiman 400i, AKG Q701, Senn 598, Grados SR80, Beyer 990 600 oms Premium. But mostly I'd be looking to drive best the 400i. Looks like the 400i are 35 Ohms... Strange! With 990s I'm sometimes at 100% volume, and the 400i just requires a little less volume, maybe 90%... Anyway, power, the A30 is most powerful, so I'm guessing it should be quite a decent upgrade?
| D3 | A30 | T1 | Schiit Magni (1) | Magni 2 | Magni 2 Uber |
| 165mW (RL=32Ω, THD+N=1%) | 1551mW x 2 (PO=Hi, 6.35 output, RL=32Ω,THD+N=1%) | 1000mW (30ohm) | 32 ohms: 1.2W | 1.2W | 1.5W |
| 400mW (120ohm ) | 50 ohms: 1.0W | 50 ohms: 1.0W | 50 ohms: 1.2W | ||
| 110mW (RL=300Ω, THD+N=1%) | 291mW x 2 (PO=Hi, 6.35 output, RL=300Ω,THD+N=1%) | 150mW (300ohm) | 300 ohms: 260mW | 260mW | 320mW |
| 70mW (RL=600Ω, THD+N=1%) | 152mW x 2 (PO=Hi, 6.35 output, RL=600Ω,THD+N=1%) | 600 ohms: 130mW | 130mW | 160mW |
Topping at ali is 110$US shipped to Canada, which seems quite a bargain, is there anything else I should be looking at? I also have an original Modi/Magni which seemed to drive the 400i a bit better... Or just Repatriate the Magni? A Magni Uber is 65$US more than A30 when considering shipping and has about the same power... Something else?
Thanks!!
I've got an A30 coming, so I'll post back when it arrives. In the meanwhile I did do a few Schiit Magni comparisons to the T1's amp section and the Magni was definitely better, so I'm thinking the A30 should also be, but who knows we'll see! 
