Topping TP 30 + JBL Studio 130 Setup = some distorted sound?

[jjacq]

Hello, so after waiting and waiting for a good deal, I finally bought my setup and I decided on a Topping TP30 + JBL Studio 130 that was on sale a week ago. For some reason though, when I play rock the guitar sound somehow gets a bit distorted. I've read online about it and the review said that it may be common for such a low WPC (15 WPC). But I'm worried if I've messed up in buying this altogether.

Here are the specs for the amp:
 
Features:

1. USB or Stereo RCA input
2. 8 mm thick, CNC-machined aluminum front panel
3. Class-T Tripath TA2024 BTL configuration (for 4- to 8-ohm speaker)
4. Op-amp: Burr-Brown OP-2134
5. 3.5 mm headphone output for headphone impedance 16 to 200 ohms
6. DC power supply included: Input: 100~240 VAC, 50/60 Hz (US Plug); Output: 12 VDC, 5A regulator

Specifications:

1. Output power: 15W x 2 (4 ohms, THD 0.03%)
2. Burr-Brown USB DAC PCM2704 is a solid USB DAC solution 16-bit / 48 kHz
3. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): 90 dB
4. Dynamic range: 90 dB
5. THD: 0.04% THD+N @ 5W/8 ohms, 1 kHz
6. Size: 4.13" W x 1.77" H x 8.07" D (105 x 45 x 205 mm)
7. Weight: Main unit only 1.59 lbs. (720 g); Package (including power supply): 3.3 lbs. (1.5 kg)

And the speaker:
Tech Specs

	Description 2-way bookshelf
	Series - Studio Series
	Finish - Black
	Frequency Response60Hz – 22kHz (–3dB)
	Crossover Frequencies3kHz, 12dB/octave
	Max. Recommended Amplifier Power125 watts
	Low-Frequency Transducer4" (100mm) PolyPlas cone, magnetically shielded
	High-Frequency Transducer1" CMMD Lite dome, magnetically shielded, in a Bi-Radial
	Sensitivity (2.83V/1m)85dB
	Nominal Impedance8 ohms
	Dimensions (H x W x D)13-3/4" x 6-1/2" x 8-1/4" (349mm x 165mm x 210mm)

 
Audioheuristics also made a review for the amp, if it helps:
http://www.audioheuristics.org/markk_wp/?p=163
 
A few questions I'd like to raise are:
(1) Is my setup okay? As in, is it safe to keep on using the same combination of speaker + amp?
(2) Is there a way to get rid of the distortion without perhaps selling the amp or buying a new one? Some people from Audioheuristics recommended getting a good power supply or running in batteries, but what does this even mean?

Thanks you guys! The speakers sound great with Jazz but the high-hat and electric guitar sounds horrible on it.

 

[trog]

I dun want to sound too critical but for T-amps and after lots of feedback, etc i wouldn't go TA2024 with inbuilt DAC as for the $$ you could get the slightly beefier TA2020 and if a desktop PC is your source u could always hit a PCI/PCIe Xonar/X-Fi

Me thinks the problem is you have an under powered amp and you are trying to play at a higher volume then it is comfy with. Pair that with somewhat inefficient 85dB speakers, this places much stress on that little guy hehe. This happens when the amplifier does not have enough power to produce the desired volume and the user has set the volume controls too high. The amplifier goes into clipping,  the sound becomes harsh and distorted, and produces lots of high-frequency harmonic energy. I have set up plenty of TA2020 set ups for friends, family, etc and personally have a pair of 89dB Polks/TA2020 and had never had any issues u described

 

[JRG1990]

Yea I don't think that amp has enough power for 8ohm 85db speakers, you need a more powerful amp if you continue to make the speakers disort you might damage or blow the tweeters.

 

[Isaansound]

Your amp puts out max 10w at 8 ohm.  Since transistor amps clip above rated value, they need to be sized for the peak above a desired listening level.  Sound, like light, drops to 1/4 every time you double distance. Without going any further into this,  you aren't going to get what you want until you triple or quadruple the power of your amp. Clipping kills speakers. Everybody likes it loud sometimes, and peak levels in musical passages, especially rock, can be very large. A TP60 (50w at 8 ohms) would do fine and give your amp a little "elbow room".