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T amp w/ optical input

Stole: It's based on the Tripath 2020 chipset (same as yours) It's Topping "flagship" amp, but you're correct....It doesn't have your time-tested TP-20. It looks pretty sweet inside. I'll follow-up mid next week. BTW....It appears many think the TA-60 needs to be broken-in for a few hours for better sound.

BOOnie: I have a Marantz SR-4006 AV & a Nakamichi RE-10 stereo receiver for back-ups. They take-up so much room. I'm using the Marantz with my PSB B6's & it's sounds very good. I'm an audio nut, so I like to try out a bunch of different avenues! Stole: Loves his Topping, so I thought I would bite & see where he's coming from. No harm done.
 
StoleMyOwnCar said:
@B00nie, I know it's expensive for a T-Amp, but would the Denon sound anywhere near as good? >_> Most of those cheap receivers aren't good for music iirc.
Click to expand...

That's what I wanted to know, are the T-amps really supposedly so good that they would beat the Denon for example. Denon has a reputation of giving good bang for buck.

A 5.1 setup would have its own advantages in computer use, by setting up a proper surround for games.
 
@UMASS: Cool. I've just read that there are various chips, so I'm not 100% on what that one has in it.

@B00nie: Dunno, there have been many reports of T-amps sounding a lot better for people than some fairly expensive setups. To the extent that some would even say don't bother with traditional types unless you would spend $1000+. On the other hand you generally have to pair them with sensitive speakers, and really all sound is subjective. Hence you have terms like "nice and warm" or "too warm" or "too analytical" all over the hifi world. >_>

And yeah I've been interested in a 4-5 surround speaker setup myself but I only want to make the jump when I know it will sound good for music. Unfortunately I think most 5.1 capable receivers that are like that are pretty expensive. I could maybe try two Toppings to at least get 4.0 going though.

I mean I'll be honest, I was just looking for a good stereo setup and atarione suggested that Topping amp. So I looked around, read reviews on it, etc etc... yeah, looked like a really good purchase. So here I have it and I'm pretty happy with it.
 
Stole: I called Parts Express, It's the Tripath 2020. We'll see how it performs. I'm digging my Sewell right now as I write this. I hope this Topping "blows me away" I'll give it 20+ hours before I review it.

Edit: Off topic....Crutchfield ROCKS! One of my speaker grills logo (PSB B4's) was way askew bigtime. I called Crutchfield & they had PSB send me not "one" speaker grill, but two! These guys simply are that good. Yes...They seem too be a tad pricey, but their service is bar-none the best! Just an FYI.
 
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With audio the power of suggestion is strong. People are swearing they can hear a difference if they place a magic stone next to their amplifier for example. http://www.shakti-innovations.com/audiovideo.htm

It makes no difference if there's no science to prove it nor does it show in measurements of any kind - or they can't tell the difference in ABX tests.
 
If I can get my hands on one I think I may just go in a different direction. I started reading about digital amps and the prices started getting way out of my range. But then I found this lovely DIY board:
http://hifimediy.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=64

I like the sounds of PWM amplification and it will make an interesting project for me electrically and it will give me an excuse to design an enclosure.
 
Vok: Nice! Please let us know what you think. Wish I had the talent to make an enclosure myself. I can solder a little to change out some caps, but that's about it. Good luck with your endeavor!
 
Hmm... Dunno about better. Electromagnetic waves from electrical devices are quite real, though. I experience that first hand when I made a little mini robot with a compass. Turns out that the motors were screwing with the compass so I had to mount it on a mast far away from them. In my emag class we also briefly talked about crosstalk between transmission lines and crap (and had to calculate them for transient signals, it was fun).

I think stuff like ferrite chokes are there for similar things
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/question352.htm

That being said I would think the people that design most devices would build them to take those interferences into account so... I'm not sure what that rock does, if anything. It would probably have to be measured on a device-per-device basis, and I'm going to go ahead and guess that at best it would eliminate a bit of hissing because it looks similar in color to those ferrite chokes on cords. Do you have any places that tried to actually test if there was a tangible effect on any devices, B00nie?

UMASS said:
BOOnie: All your posts are too "matter of fact" I agree a silly stone won't make any system sound better, but you simply need to RELAX! God, I would never have you over to my man cave for a 1:00PM Sunday NFL game. I would most likely stick a fork in your eye instead of a warm wrapped hot dog!
Click to expand...

... The way you worded that sentence it sounds like you were either going to stick a hot dog or fork in his eye. Personally I don't think I would want either one, at least not in my eye.


voklskier4452 said:
If I can get my hands on one I think I may just go in a different direction. I started reading about digital amps and the prices started getting way out of my range. But then I found this lovely DIY board:
http://hifimediy.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=64

I like the sounds of PWM amplification and it will make an interesting project for me electrically and it will give me an excuse to design an enclosure.
Click to expand...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Class-D_amplifier

First thing that came up when I put PWM amplifier into google. It looks like it's just a class D amp. I'm not sure why you're bothering... well I mean if you think it'll be fun, go ahead and have go at it. Fun is always worth it.... unless you screw up, then it stops being fun. Personally I had craptons of analog circuit classes throughout college and I didn't like them at all, so I just stay far away. The digital circuit classes were fun though.
 
I received the Topping TP-60 yesterday about 11:30AM via UPS. This is a pretty large & heavy amp (11.5" Deep & over 11 lbs.) I hooked it up to my basement Windows XP rig with Definitive Technology Pro Monitor 800 speakers. Immediately you notice the power right away. The fit & finish is top-notch.

I've been running the amp @ 1/4 volume for over 24 hours now on a music mix via a Zune (yes...I still own one) I really think this amp does need some breaking-in, as other reviewers mentioned. It sounds "pretty good" out of the box & I'm going to give it another 48 hours before a full review. I think I'll bring up the TP-60 & use my PSB B4's too see how they really sound.

It's a tad pricey @ $208.00 & change, but if it works out, then I might return my Sewell & get my $60.00 back.
 
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StoleMyOwnCar said:
Hmm... Dunno about better. Electromagnetic waves from electrical devices are quite real, though. I experience that first hand when I made a little mini robot with a compass. Turns out that the motors were screwing with the compass so I had to mount it on a mast far away from them. In my emag class we also briefly talked about crosstalk between transmission lines and crap (and had to calculate them for transient signals, it was fun).
Click to expand...

Yeah a compass would be effected, however that magnetic field would not have created an audible change to your sound. Oh, and the shakti stone would for sure not stop it from happening.

If shaktis effects were real, all hifi manufacturers would incorporate this kind of 'chokes' or 'magic stones' in their devices. It's a hogwash. Shakti is equivalent to those 'atomic level rearranging' magnet rings you can install in your car fuel lines. Dozens of well crafted tests have shown no improvement from those at all.
 
Stole: Ok...I'll admit it. The Topping TP60 is a winner. I have been running it for 72+ hours & it does require a break-in time. It's improved over that time alone. I moved some speakers around & hooked it up to my PSB B6's via 3.5mm to my Creative SB Z. Then I decided to hook-up an older Pioneer BR/CD player & I'm completely sold. It's worth $200 & change.

I found a website where one guy has improved upon it with better caps & power supply etc. It will be a fun little project. I received an RA from Sewell as I only had a day left to return it. It's "over-the-top" for my needs for my WINXP computer down in the basement. It's well built, no question & sounds great overall. The Tripath 2020 chipset is very musical indeed.
 
Good, happy you like it.

Keep in mind that most of these Toppings (for some reason saying this in a sentence is weird..) don't actually cost that much. More like a third of that much (like mine). Even if you were driving your PSB B6's, you still wouldn't need that TP60. People were actually suggesting I get the PSB B6's with my Topping TP20, and that it would work out fine. I don't think one with that many watts per channel is necessary for what you're driving.

Well I'm happy you like it either way, just keep in mind that the price/performance ratio would have been even better (like 3x better) if you opted for a model with less watts (well unless you just wanna drive your speakers loud, that's not my place to say).
 
Stole: I think you're the "frugal" type & I am to some degree as well (PSB B series). I'm almost 50 with no kids & money isn't an issue. If you look @ the Topping offerings the TP20 is almost the least expensive. Move up a tad in the line-up & they go to $150.00+ quickly. I like the fact that the TP60 can be used in other places in our home if need be. I think it's fair to say that the TP20 wouldn't drive a pair of NHT ST4's that aren't efficient to begin with.

The Topping TP20 is a great deal for the coin (no question) & I appreciate that you made me think about taking a look @ their product. Do I think the TP60 holds a candle to the NAD D3020? Not a chance IMHO. But, for the money....it's pretty damn good & it seems to be getting better each day. I brought the TP60 up to my computer room & I'm not running it 24/7 like I did for the 1st 4 days (too close to the master bedroom)

In the end, I think it's a worthy amp with limitations (no headphone amp, no DAC via USB, no subwoofer out, no optical/coaxial out, no remote, footprint is rather large etc.) I'm not being completely fair for $209.00 amp. You simply can't expect all of that for the price tag.
 
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