Topping A90 Discrete aka A90D

[Guacamolly]

(or LE for the I hate MQA crowd)

AMEN my dude, Tidal HIFI only!

 

[Currawong]

AMEN my dude, Tidal HIFI only!

I'd be cautious. Apparently, if there's an MQA version, the HiFi version is created from the MQA version, so you are still getting a file created from lossy data.

 

[ericx85]

I'd be cautious. Apparently, if there's an MQA version, the HiFi version is created from the MQA version, so you are still getting a file created from lossy data.

Pretty sure this is indeed true after tidal went through it's price restructuring

 

[ToneDeafMonk]

Bought mine today in silver excited except for the 3 week shipping!

 

[Guacamolly]

Bought mine today in silver excited except for the 3 week shipping!

I'm very happy with it, hope you like it too!

 

[cetrex]

I'd be cautious. Apparently, if there's an MQA version, the HiFi version is created from the MQA version, so you are still getting a file created from lossy data.

I noticed this on Roon. I have standard Tidal HiFi, and if a track has MQA it will show the MQA Authentication in the signal path. smh

 

[N0sferatu]

For all the Tidal hate, I don't see a better platform.
Spotify is a lossy mess
Tidal to my ears sounds comparable to Amazon Music HD (or whatever it's called these days). I'm on a free trial at the moment with Qobuz. Qobuz to my ears sounds just as good as Tidal. Qobuz the interface is crap on both PC and Android. Qobuz search is abysmal. If you don't have it spelled exactly right it won't find it. At least Tidal is good at deciphering a search to something useful. It's not as good as Spotify but definitely better than Qobuz.

With that said, what else is out there for streaming other than using your home collection (which I also have).

EDIT: I see "PCM" when streaming "Hifi" tracks not MQA on the D90SE and MQA when doing master tracks for the person who said they're seeing MQA on Hifi tracks..

 

[cetrex]

For all the Tidal hate, I don't see a better platform.
Spotify is a lossy mess
Tidal to my ears sounds comparable to Amazon Music HD (or whatever it's called these days). I'm on a free trial at the moment with Qobuz. Qobuz to my ears sounds just as good as Tidal. Qobuz the interface is crap on both PC and Android. Qobuz search is abysmal. If you don't have it spelled exactly right it won't find it. At least Tidal is good at deciphering a search to something useful. It's not as good as Spotify but definitely better than Qobuz.

With that said, what else is out there for streaming other than using your home collection (which I also have).

EDIT: I see "PCM" when streaming "Hifi" tracks not MQA on the D90SE and MQA when doing master tracks for the person who said they're seeing MQA on Hifi tracks..

Agreed. I'm back on Tidal once again. I actually like the mobile app a lot now and use Room on my PC. Both have been updated quite a bit since last I used them.

Have been with Spotify for years, but finally cancelled after the HiFi fiasco ended being fake news.

 

[Guacamolly]

Agreed. I'm back on Tidal once again. I actually like the mobile app a lot now and use Room on my PC. Both have been updated quite a bit since last I used them.

Have been with Spotify for years, but finally cancelled after the HiFi fiasco ended being fake news.

I use both since tidal bypass my EQ, sometimes i need it, Spotify & Tidal hifi

 

[Registlse]

Hello, its m'y first publication i'm french...

I have the A90 and I bought the A90D to compare with Focal Clear xlr and dac/streamer Naim 272 rca. First of all, too bad for those who do not believe in running-in but out of box the two amps were dull and lifeless... After about ten hours the sound is ok, it’s obvious when I compared the 1st time the A90d with the A90, I thought if it was that sound I sent it back right away!
The A90D has the same tone as the A90 but is more transparent, the sounds stand out more, it is more detailed but not cold, not boring! For me it is the perfect balance between detail, transparency and warmth matter... The bass is firmer and descends lower and the high is finer and more varied (cymbals...) it’s subtle but very real. I like it a lot! The perfect couple with Focal Clear...

 

[ToneDeafMonk]

Hello, its m'y first publication i'm french...

I have the A90 and I bought the A90D to compare with Focal Clear xlr and dac/streamer Naim 272 rca. First of all, too bad for those who do not believe in running-in but out of box the two amps were dull and lifeless... After about ten hours the sound is ok, it’s obvious when I compared the 1st time the A90d with the A90, I thought if it was that sound I sent it back right away!
The A90D has the same tone as the A90 but is more transparent, the sounds stand out more, it is more detailed but not cold, not boring! For me it is the perfect balance between detail, transparency and warmth matter... The bass is firmer and descends lower and the high is finer and more varied (cymbals...) it’s subtle but very real. I like it a lot! The perfect couple with Focal Clear...

Wicked feedback super excited to get mine.
Anyone try this with a tube pre?

 

[spw1880]

For some reason

I'd be cautious. Apparently, if there's an MQA version, the HiFi version is created from the MQA version, so you are still getting a file created from lossy data.

I always found mqa to sound a bit bright to me. Since qobuz app is bit troblesome in my country. I have just been enjoying apple LL lately.

 

[borkenarrou]

My shipping date has to be extended as the seller said they are low on stock, the latest date he gave me is 10th Sept, I ordered from Aliexpress as i got a good deal. Others facing similar delays because of stock?

 

[N0sferatu]

So since they came through and it's finalized I figured I'd add an update on the A90D destroying my Arya (search for previous posts from me in here it was from roughly a week ago). So after keeping in communication with Topping I explained to them what happened. They did an internal review and credited me the cost to me for what it was to get my Arya replaced. Kudos to Topping customer service!

 

[eloom123]

So since they came through and it's finalized I figured I'd add an update on the A90D destroying my Arya (search for previous posts from me in here it was from roughly a week ago). So after keeping in communication with Topping I explained to them what happened. They did an internal review and credited me the cost to me for what it was to get my Arya replaced. Kudos to Topping customer service!

That’s better than I was expecting, given they explicitly state they will accept no liability for damage caused by a failure of the amp in the manual.