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Topping A90
Jul 17, 2020 at 12:59 PM Post #482 of 1,442
HarveyKrisz said:
Is there anyone who using a HD800 with A90? How is the synergy? I. planning to purchase a Hd800 but its very amp picky.
Click to expand...

I think it does very well but I think I like the Violectric V281 combo better with my HD800 and when the HD800 launched it was with the Violectric amp now I know why. Both amps are warmish in sound and my testing was with my Holo Spring 2 KTE, and Chord Dave dacs.
 
Jul 18, 2020 at 7:34 AM Post #489 of 1,442
I suggest to read the entire discussion on the ASR test thread, not just the measurements. You will be able to pickup shortcomings in the design.

I made a summary on a local SA forum. The following posts also reveal a serious design problem with dual MeanWell SMPS's. I would wait for L30 it should sale around $100 to compete with Atom (if you are a Topping head). :)
https://www.avforums.co.za/index.php/topic,88010.msg1003523.html#msg1003523
 
Last edited:
Jul 18, 2020 at 12:51 PM Post #490 of 1,442
sajunky said:
I suggest to read the entire discussion on the ASR test thread, not just the measurements. You will be able to pickup shortcomings in the design.

I made a summary on a local SA forum. The following posts also reveal a serious design problem with dual MeanWell SMPS's. I would wait for L30 it should sale around $100 to compete with Atom (if you are a Topping head). :)
https://www.avforums.co.za/index.php/topic,88010.msg1003523.html#msg1003523
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link. This is what happens when companies chase after measurements over all others. I'm afraid SMSL is another one heading in that same direction.
 
Jul 18, 2020 at 2:10 PM Post #491 of 1,442
What seems to be lost in all the granular parsing of numbers and reviews -- some of us who actually own the A90 really love it. Mine paired with the D90 and Focal Utopias sounds incredible. Do I have anything to compare it to, save my own DAP? No. And given the pandemic, not likely to be able to A/B it for a year at least. In the meantime, I'm grateful to the reviews who steered me to the A90. No regrets.
 
Jul 18, 2020 at 3:52 PM Post #492 of 1,442
ClicketEKlack said:
What seems to be lost in all the granular parsing of numbers and reviews -- some of us who actually own the A90 really love it. Mine paired with the D90 and Focal Utopias sounds incredible. Do I have anything to compare it to, save my own DAP? No. And given the pandemic, not likely to be able to A/B it for a year at least. In the meantime, I'm grateful to the reviews who steered me to the A90. No regrets.
Click to expand...

Whether you own it or not should have little bearing on the issues being surfaced or its validity, as long as data can be corroborated. I'd much rather the issues be widely known so the manufacturer doesn't repeat the same mistakes. There's lot to like about the A90, but as with most components out there, it's not without faults. I like mine as well for the most part except for the noisy SE out. No complaints on the balanced side. SQ compared to THX products is preferential, so I don't pay much attention to that front.
 
Jul 18, 2020 at 4:41 PM Post #493 of 1,442
KPzypher said:
Whether you own it or not should have little bearing on the issues being surfaced or its validity, as long as data can be corroborated. I'd much rather the issues be widely known so the manufacturer doesn't repeat the same mistakes. There's lot to like about the A90, but as with most components out there, it's not without faults. I like mine as well for the most part except for the noisy SE out. No complaints on the balanced side. SQ compared to THX products is preferential, so I don't pay much attention to that front.
Click to expand...

Oh, you're correct. The key words are 'data' and 'corroborated.' I'm all for reporting issues and problems that have not come to light in reviews, especially technical ones. The more hard info for consumers, the better. I just mean that the posted assumptions that any positive review must be the result of bribery -- without a shred of evidence suggesting as much -- are not as helpful to prospective buyers as first-hand accounts.
 
Jul 18, 2020 at 4:58 PM Post #494 of 1,442
ClicketEKlack said:
What seems to be lost in all the granular parsing of numbers and reviews -- some of us who actually own the A90 really love it. Mine paired with the D90 and Focal Utopias sounds incredible. Do I have anything to compare it to, save my own DAP? No. And given the pandemic, not likely to be able to A/B it for a year at least. In the meantime, I'm grateful to the reviews who steered me to the A90. No regrets.
Click to expand...

I agree, I think it’s a great reference amp for the money especially when using it via the balanced connections. I actually have the Utopias in for review now and will be listening to them with the A90/D90 combo along with the Bifrost2 and a few other amps.
 
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