Looking for help regarding a volume issue on the Topping A90/A30 pro

[Djhobocop]

Hey y'all, I new to the forum, so forgive me if this is not the right place. I am looking for help regarding an issue that came up in the last days.
I've bought the Topping A90 new from an online retailer, because I heard a lot of good things about it (especially that it's pretty powerful).
However, I have reason to believe that somewhere (I'm not sure if it's the A90) in my system I might have faulty gear.

I have listened to the Hifiman Arya/Focal Utopia/Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 via a balanced cable (4 Pin XLR for the first 2, 4.4mm for the DCA) and even on high gain I need to adjust the volume dial to about 12 o'clock (or even slightly more) to get some decent volume out of it. Is this normal? When on medium gain, I can turn the dial completely as far as it goes without the sound being too loud. This can't be normal right?
As far as to my setup:

I'm using a Denafrips Ares II that is connected via USB to an iMac (streaming via Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify) and to the topping via XLR. I have tried changing to Cinch + unbalanced output, which was basically the same. I have tried the Topping A90 and A30 with the same result. Could it be faulty XLR cables (sadly I can only pick new ones up tomorrow) or am I missing something here?

I would love to get some input/advice!

Cheers

 

[Roseval]

especially that it's pretty powerful

It is: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...topping-a90-headphone-amplifier-review.13592/

A simple test, use a 3.5 mm to 2x RCA and connect headphone out of a PC or phone to the A90.
If you max out the output of the source and still run out of steam, the A90 is the problem.

Volume control on the iMac set to 100%?

 

[Djhobocop]

Hey, thanks for your reply. The volume control is at 100%. I did what you suggested, 2x RCA into the Topping and 3.5mm into a laptop. Laptop volume is maxed out, Dial is at 12 o'clock and the sound volume is like a 4, given that 1 is barely audible and 10 is ear drum destruction. I don't get it though, could this really be a coincidence that this is happening for the A30pro AND A90??

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Hey y'all, I new to the forum, so forgive me if this is not the right place. I am looking for help regarding an issue that came up in the last days.
I've bought the Topping A90 new from an online retailer, because I heard a lot of good things about it (especially that it's pretty powerful).
However, I have reason to believe that somewhere (I'm not sure if it's the A90) in my system I might have faulty gear.

I have listened to the Hifiman Arya/Focal Utopia/Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 via a balanced cable (4 Pin XLR for the first 2, 4.4mm for the DCA) and even on high gain I need to adjust the volume dial to about 12 o'clock (or even slightly more) to get some decent volume out of it. Is this normal? When on medium gain, I can turn the dial completely as far as it goes without the sound being too loud. This can't be normal right?
As far as to my setup:

I'm using a Denafrips Ares II that is connected via USB to an iMac (streaming via Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify) and to the topping via XLR. I have tried changing to Cinch + unbalanced output, which was basically the same. I have tried the Topping A90 and A30 with the same result. Could it be faulty XLR cables (sadly I can only pick new ones up tomorrow) or am I missing something here?

I would love to get some input/advice!

Cheers

If you've had two amps with the same problem, which is statistically kind of odd, I'd start looking upstream. If you're sure the OS and music player app are both at 100%, then it's either there's a problem with your DAC or the analogue interconnects.

 

[Roseval]

2x RCA into the Topping and 3.5mm into a laptop.

Weird, very weird.
Happen to have another source e.g. phone with 3.5 headphone out, integrated amp, another PC?
If a another source fails in the same way as your iMac, it must be both amps (as unlikely as it sounds)
If another source + amp blows your ears, there is a silly setting somewhere on the iMac

 

[Djhobocop]

Weird, very weird.
Happen to have another source e.g. phone with 3.5 headphone out, integrated amp, another PC?
If a another source fails in the same way as your iMac, it most be both amps (as unlikely as it sounds)
If another source + amp blows your ears, there is a silly setting somewhere on the iMac

Thanks for helping me out here. I will try a couple of different sources and also try each output with a different cable each, so laptop source -> 4 pin, 6.35, 4.4
Mobile Phone source -> same
Will keep you updated. Thanks!

 

[Djhobocop]

So they way it seems at the moment, the issues seem to be both amps. I have borrowed an amp of a friend (which I know work), used the exact same gear and everything works perfectly. Thanks for all the input!

 

[hewlett168]

So they way it seems at the moment, the issues seem to be both amps. I have borrowed an amp of a friend (which I know work), used the exact same gear and everything works perfectly. Thanks for all the input!

Tough luck both amps have issues. Return?