Topping A90

[Marlowe]

So the power cable that comes with the A90 is a bit short. If I want to get a longer power cable, any recommendations? I'm scared to get one on amazon and then it would burn my A90

I don't have the A90, but I bet it's the same power cable that came with the D90 MQA, which was way too short for my purposes. (And just way too short in general; I've used a number of components in the exact same spot and every other stock power cable, or external power supply, was easily long enough.) TBH, I just grabbed a longer standard power cable I had in a drawer and it works fine.

 

[CANiSLAYu]

I bought both the A90 and D90 MQA at the same time and the A90 cable was definitely shorter. I want to say by at least a foot.

 

[KPzypher]

I bought both the A90 and D90 MQA at the same time and the A90 cable was definitely shorter. I want to say by at least a foot.

YEP. Noticed that too.

 

[jincuteguy]

YEP. Noticed that too.

Yep, that's why when I got the A90, I I had to let my power strip hanging a bit since the cable is a bit short. I know that's not a good idea cause it might pop out and my A90 would lose power.

 

[Marlowe]

I bought both the A90 and D90 MQA at the same time and the A90 cable was definitely shorter. I want to say by at least a foot.

LOL. It can't be much longer than 18 inches then.

 

[hmscott]

Those are excellent cables. I used a 6" RCA from WBC (i believe it was the gotham cable, not mogami) and had no problems with noise when I used the Qutest over RCA with the A90.

BTW, would you please look up the model number - what is the id of the wire used? I'd like to also try the Gotham cable in a WBC built cable.

Did you notice any positive effects other than the lower noise floor? I'm hearing much better detail and dynamics than the previous SKW cables. What are the RCA connectors used on that WBC build?

What is the USB cable you used? Does it have ferrite chokes, or did you add them?

Thank you!

 

[jpanic4]

Thanks for the info! So in terms of pure technical prowess then, would you say the 789 has a slight edge? Does the A90 “trade” some of the detail retrieval for the warmth? I’m trying to see if it’s a pure upgrade, or more of a sidegrade.

Also, what’s the volume wobble problem? Is that fairly common?

With the HD6XX I like the 789 a touch better but its something I need to listen for. I would say it’s more of a sidegrade BUT it could be different based on the headphones you have. So on something like an LCDs the results could be different.

Listening to the“Why so serious” from the Dark Knight, I noticed although extremely subtle, to my ears, there was a little bit more detail in the low end that starts at 3:26ish. I think this has to do with the less warm nature of the 789. But I’m also a noob at this. Honestly, both are good esp if you not sitting there A/B testing them. I’m still finding it hard to decide which one to keep and I’ve had them both for a whole month! Others on this thread have said this before, they are both good that either will be plenty. I would just look at cost, features, pre-amp, aesthetics (if you care), power output (although not a crazy difference).

The wobble is in reference to the volume pot being a little loose. I’ve read about by a handful of other people as well. Honestly wouldn’t deter me from keeping it. This is a gif someone else put up but mine has the same issue. Again nothing that would deter me from keeping it and I'm not just saying that because I might sell my A90.

https://imgur.com/a/60nHNRG#WEmoxex

 

[NickT23]

Thanks for the info! So in terms of pure technical prowess then, would you say the 789 has a slight edge? Does the A90 “trade” some of the detail retrieval for the warmth? I’m trying to see if it’s a pure upgrade, or more of a sidegrade.

Also, what’s the volume wobble problem? Is that fairly common?

Sidegrade. THX 789 still somewhat the benchmark.

 

[jincuteguy]

Just got the A90/D90MQA stack -- Apos delivered 3 days ahead of schedule! Really delighted with the sound. This may be an endgame setup, as I can't imagine what more I'd want or expect sonically, from, say, a Chord DAVE or some other ultra-high end gear. The 4.4mm Pentaconn output is a game-changer, as it allows me to have one cable for both desktop and DAP. I was curious as to how much better it might sound than my HiBy R6 Pro, and the answer is: quite a bit. The whole presentation is just BIGGER, punchier, and smoother. More detail everywhere. Sound feels very warm and organic, pairs really well with Focal Utopias. Loving it with both MQA and Qobuz Hi-Res. This will be the acid test for which streaming service I marry.

Nice Setup you got there man. Can I ask what is that black cable you got there? That's not the stock Utopia cable, is it? thanks.

 

[ClicketEKlack]

Nice Setup you got there man. Can I ask what is that black cable you got there? That's not the stock Utopia cable, is it? thanks.

Thank you, sir! Much appreciated. It's an Arctic Cable Signum Series. The stock cable was bristly, microphonic and stiff -- truly an unpleasant piece of gear. Really weird that Focal ever released such an accessory, but I'm guessing the new one is better?

 

[jincuteguy]

Thank you, sir! Much appreciated. It's an Arctic Cable Signum Series. The stock cable was bristly, microphonic and stiff -- truly an unpleasant piece of gear. Really weird that Focal ever released such an accessory, but I'm guessing the new one is better?

Nice man. How long did it take them to build your cable? 2 weeks?

 

[ClicketEKlack]

Nice man. How long did it take them to build your cable? 2 weeks?

Give or take -- they do a break-in period before they ship. My experience is not the norm, as just as they were about to ship, I realized that I'd stupidly ordered the wrong plug and they very graciously agreed to build me another. They were good with communication, and the cable is superb.

 

[Marlowe]

Thank you, sir! Much appreciated. It's an Arctic Cable Signum Series. The stock cable was bristly, microphonic and stiff -- truly an unpleasant piece of gear. Really weird that Focal ever released such an accessory, but I'm guessing the new one is better?

Good to hear that you had a good experience with Arctic since I am planning to order a cable from them for my ZMF Aeolus in the near future. (Though I'm planning on one of the less expensive premium copper series; Ion I think.)

I assume (or at least hope) that the Utopia cable is upgraded from the cables Focal includes with its cheaper models. Not only were the cables provided with the Elex unpleasant to use, but the stock XLR cable failed three times in a little over a year despite never leaving my apartment and receiving careful handling. After two replacements (of the entire headphone) by Drop, I gave up and got an XLR cable for it from Periapt.

 

[ra990]

BTW, would you please look up the model number - what is the id of the wire used? I'd like to also try the Gotham cable.

Did you notice any positive effects other than the lower noise floor? I'm hearing much better detail and dynamics than the previous SKW cables. What are the RCA connectors used on that WBC build?

What is the USB cable you used? Does it have ferrite chokes, or did you add them?

Thank you!

These are the ones I got: https://www.amazon.com/0-5-Foot-RCA...worlds+best+cables+.5ft&qid=1597039100&sr=8-9

Sorry, I don't have the A90 anymore, so can't provide any of those. I didn't try any other cables, these are just my go-to cables and they worked perfectly, like they usually do.

 

[hmscott]

These are the ones I got: https://www.amazon.com/0-5-Foot-RCA...worlds+best+cables+.5ft&qid=1597039100&sr=8-9

Sorry, I don't have the A90 anymore, so can't provide any of those. I didn't try any other cables, these are just my go-to cables and they worked perfectly, like they usually do.

Thanks, that's what I was looking for, I found the 1 foot version and will order it, and then look for the WBC XLR build with Gotham cable, and see if there is improvement from the Mogami builds.

So you had no noise problems with the A90? What was the problem that caused you to get rid of the A90 then?