Topping Pre90 + Ext90 Review - Pre-amp my Power-amp!
Вставка
- Опубліковано 27 лип 2024
- My written review can be found here: soundnews.net/accessories/top...
Get a Topping Pre90 from here: bit.ly/3qhgHIc
Video Time Stamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:43 - What is a Preamp?
02:24 - Design & Build Quality
03:01 - Controls
03:48 - Tech inside Pre90
04:57 - Do you need a Preamp?
06:22 - D90 MQA + Pre90 Performance
07:51 - D70S MQA + Pre90 Performance
09:26 - AudioByte HydraVox + Pre90 Performance
10:41 - Matrix Element X + Pre90 Performance
12:36 - Comparison with Benchmark HPA4
12:51 - Conclusion
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Desktop headphones I’m using:
🎧 Hifiman Susvara: bit.ly/3a39pm2
🎧 Audeze LCD-4: bit.ly/35LFYAK
🎧 Kennerton Wodan: bit.ly/2LkHLGN
🎧 Hifiman Arya: bit.ly/2W4RDGM
🎧 Erzetich Phobos: amzn.to/2SbbMcQ
🎧 Quad ERA-1: bit.ly/3fE50pV
Portable headphones I’m using:
🎧 Meze 99 Classics: bit.ly/3bjTqwX
🎧 Sennheiser Momentum 3: amzn.to/2SrzzWf
🎧 Sony WH1000XM3: amzn.to/35b9pfa
IEMs I’m using:
👂 Meze Rai Penta: bit.ly/3j2EhVa
👂 FiiO FA9: bit.ly/3nh9pDf
👂 FiiO FH7: bit.ly/3iwZeqm
Loudspeakers I’m using:
🔊 KEF Reference 3: amzn.to/2y3IPIP
🔊 Buchardt S400: bit.ly/2xTOCkt
Integrated/Power Amps I’m using:
💪 KECES S300: bit.ly/2XL8sHT
💪 Kinki Studio EX-M7: bit.ly/3gEoVVJ
💪 Hegel H190: bit.ly/2yQboK8
Best DACs I have tried:
🥇 Audiobyte HydraVox: bit.ly/2VXJjZM
🥇 Matrix Audio Element X: bit.ly/2xU6hbC
🥇 Gustard A22: bit.ly/2WExwPK
🥇 Topping D70S MQA: bit.ly/3pnLgM0
🥇 Topping D90 MQA: bit.ly/2zHWSo2
🥇 Audio-GD R7 (2020 Version): bit.ly/3fpNUfl
🥇 Denafrips Venus: amzn.to/35kgHh7
🥇 Musician Pegasus: bit.ly/30eTGeg
Best Mid-Fi DACs:
🥈 Topping DX7 PRO: bit.ly/2Lh5S67
🥈 SMSL M500: bit.ly/2WlPbwC
🥈 SMSL SU-9: bit.ly/3syrK1f
🥈 Soncoz SGD1: bit.ly/36IUQ5r
🥈 Mytek Brooklyn DAC+: amzn.to/3aHGuAw
🥈 Benchmark DAC3B: amzn.to/2KC5saf
🥈 Chord Hugo2: amzn.to/2Y88T05
Best Entry-Level DACs:
🥉 Soncoz LA-QXD1: bit.ly/3gf8ONt
🥉 Topping E30: bit.ly/35OWW1p
🥉 SMSL Sanskrit 10th MKII: amzn.to/3cSe1tC
🥉 SMSL M200: bit.ly/3cCtFsw
Best DAC + Headphone Amp combos:
🎶 Flux Lab Acoustics FCN-10: bit.ly/2Y74daK
🎶 Burson Audio Conductor 3: amzn.to/2xcfSKx
🎶 Audio-GD D.28 Full: bit.ly/359E6S5
Best Headphone amps:
💣Benchmark HPA4: bit.ly/2xb6hn5
💣Sparkos Labs Aries: bit.ly/2xcOps1
💣SMSL SP400: bit.ly/3sAUEO2
💣Topping A90: bit.ly/2YBwCnZ
Best DAPs:
🎵 FiiO M15: bit.ly/3lcFA4N
🎵 FiiO M11 PRO: bit.ly/36vuwvF
🎵 Shanling M6: bit.ly/38xW7g9
My Video/Photo Gear:
📷 / 🎥 amzn.to/2VHeNnf
🔍 amzn.to/3eTCsZp
🔍 amzn.to/2yPR6A5
🔭 amzn.to/2zAuGn1
💡 amzn.to/2VEDC3l
☂️ amzn.to/2VETyT6
🎤 amzn.to/3aLjYXv
These are my honest opinions in different categories. Some of them are affiliated links that help me manage this UA-cam channel at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
#Topping #Preamplifier #Review - Наука та технологія
11:36 'Sometimes I'm using one just to get better b-rolls'
How on earth did keep that straight face while saying that dude?? Lol that was hilarious 😂
:) This is how I'm laughing out loud.
Very cool. Another great review from the reviewer I most respect. :)
Thanks for the review and thanks for a couple new music recommendations.
My pleasure
In the end I will have to buy a Topping Rack to put all these together haha!! Amazing review man
3:50 That angled LCD display triggers my OCD. :D
Interesting review and difference between D70S and D90. I'm getting the impression D70S is the Topping's flag ship currently...
Yeah, I was wondering if I was just seeing things too. And why does every line of text use a different font!!
Glad I watched this first, out of the box it's plain and simple awful, I could have sliced lemons with it, I shut the door and left it running . This went on for 4 days around 20 ISH hours of play . I just had to sit down and listen, ugly ducking was fast becoming a beautiful swan, the transformation is huge, it's still improving at around 40 hours . Thank you for the review, pretty much spot on .
Very informative and helpful. Currently have the D70s MQA and just started driving a Creek Evolution 50a in direct mode, really impressed by the difference. Was considering getting the 90pre to see if additional improvement could be had since I'm dipping my feet into separates. XLR from D70s might be enough! Thank you.
Unevenly fitted LCD is completely unacceptable in this price range
Agree. Full no-go.
Yes, i noticed that, too!!!! Not good.
Thank you very much for this detailed review of the Pre90.
Could you please do a video of topping Pre90 vs Ladder Bach?
Wow once again world's first review cheers sandu.
But i have a suggestion can you do a video explaining all the Audiophile terms in 1 video? Like what did you mean by liquid sounding in brief..?
Or like the airy vs open sound, euphonic, etc etc.. Would be great help for beginners like me. Thanks once again for such professional reviews.
Also it would be amazing if keces can send you another s300 to compare mono vs stereo differences. You know for those "Just for sheets & giggles!" 😉😉
Two S300 driving a Susvara, that's my naughty dream I'm having for several months now. Audiophile terms video....that's a good idea. Thanks for the suggestion.
Great review! Can the Pre90 output signal to both the RCA and XLR outs? I do this with an SMSL SU-9. The RCA outputs go to a tube amp and the XLR outs go to subwoofers. Looking to add a preamp and the Pre90 is a candidate. Thanks
Hello i like your reviews as i find them quite informative.
If it's possible could you please make a review of the Gustard X16 which IMHO is a giant killer (according to specs).
Thnx again for your videos
Kind Regards
@soundnews . Will the pre90 help in hearing sound differences in DACs or at least determine how good at detail retrieval a DAC is . I am using a Schiit Freya plus as a preamp, and even in NON tube mode I can’t really hear a differences in the DACS that I have tried. Thanks
I currently have a D90 and a D70s and an integrated amp (audiolab 6000A). One DAC has to go. Right now the D70s sounds better in areas you identified than the D90. How do you think that a PRE90/D90 XLR combo would sound compared with the D70s alone, in those areas?
would this be a good compo with gustard x16 ?
Thank you for your excellent review. I'm thinking of pairing the Pre90 with a Pass Labs X250.8 power amp. Do you this this combo would work?
It would be awesome to review the gustard p26 preamp next to this unit and see which one is better and what you determine the differences are!
That’s another really high-quality Preamplifier for around the same kind of money that I have seen that no one has a review for and one of my friends have one and I only got to briefly listen to it shortly cause I have the pre90 and it sounds better to me but of course that could just be me curious to know if you can get your hands on one of those units I’m sure you can because you’ve reviewed other devices from the same company and others and it’s not super expensive. Great review.
I did want to note that I did find one very very small slight issue and I’ve tried everything to resolve it and there’s nothing wrong or equipment miss matching nothing but let’s say I’m listening to music I was using the topping D70s with the pre-90 let’s say when I’m listening to music and I’m going up to volume -28 At this point it’s pretty loud if I go and gently touch up the volume at that point on the remotes are down one or two clicks after the volume has been set for a few seconds while I’m listening to music playing out loud I can hear slight little pops coming through the speakers as they are just very small increments of volume going down or up this only seems to happen when I am listening to music at a pretty loud level -25 -28 and the more I go up the more intense to popping is when the volume is lower like -35 -40 it’s not there don’t know if there’s something wrong with my unit but when you really play this unit loud I can hear little clicks and pops from the speaker like a voltage thing going on it’s odd ! And it’s not the clicks the unit makes when you turn the volume up and down that’s normal but besides that you can hear background noise coming through the speakers.. I also tried another pair of speakers same thing.. I’d like to get the Gustard p26 pre amp they make in silver look sweet but I’d like to see what you think of it first since nine times out of 10 they usually buy the equipment that you say is good lol
After speakers I find the preamp makes the biggest difference
So basically buy a VERY GOOD all in one (like the Element X) and in the end you save yourself a lot of headache and maybe some money also. For headphones Dac+amp is enough. Thanks , man, good one!👍
Does all xlr input works together? Do I have to select which xlr input to be used? I am planning to connect two DACs into a90d via ext90 and want them to play sound together.
Can I set both outputs to work at the same time with diferent volume? I am asking this because i want to set a subwoofer on my setup e i need e preamplifier with variable sub out or custom volume for each output
They must be putting that compound technology in their power-amp I think 🤔
Is the pre90 as good as the a90d for the preamp function or is the a90d better since it has upgraded op-amps?
Is the pre90 equipped with r2r relay volume knob?
Will this improved SMSL MK500 MK3 intermediate connect to Power amp?
Well, I emailed Topping about matching it with the Denafrip 2... They wrote back and said it was impossible. I asked about the Denafrip and schiit bit2...they said the schiit looks OK
Unless I'm missing something...why again is the Denafrip 2 a good match?
Denafrips confirmed through email as well and suggested I cancel my order with them if I decide to stay with the pre90.
Used a preamp same time ago. Guess my Amp was good enough, never heard a difference when added the preamp.
How will it pair with wyred4soynd dacs
Hey again my friend..
So I noticed a pretty bizarre thing going on with this unit for example I only use XLR and I don’t use RCA so everything hooked up Is xlr but if I use this preamplifier and I choose the output stage as there is three options either RCA or XLR or both at the same time when you enable both at the same time I notice quite a bit of gain more volume and to me more detailed cleaner and more sharper sound maybe it’s my ears I don’t know but I definitely hear something going on here maybe the extra gain makes it sound better? But I don’t know why it does that because the only cables I’m using going in and going out to my DAC it’s only XLR so I was messing around the other day and usually I keep it both the input in the output on this device I said it to only XLR but then I decided to put the output to rca+xlr and then wow a lot more gain that also sounds better more dynamic what’s your thoughts on this if you have an experienced this issue let me know as I first thought it was a faulty unit so I just purchased a brand new one and it’s the same thing let me know if you prefer the sound of using both modes enabled and you can see for yourself the gain increase.
So the Takeaway message here is if you enable the output on this device specifically to rca+xlr I am noticing a big increase in level gain as well sound quality improvements…. Why I dunno?
If someone is using for the input RCA I don’t know if it’s gonna make a difference but in my case you’re in you should be using XLR to get the most out of this unit and then you’ll see what I’m talking about… 🙏👌
By the way I tried to reach out and leave another message on the other page form.
As the Pre90 is said to put out 50 volts, can you estimate what number the volume is at for 4 volts? I assume if 50 V is max then half volume is 25 V? Also, does the knob have a stopping point, like maybe 5 o'clock or does it keep spinning? thanks
50Vpp is somewhat misleading, 50Vpp is actually 17.678 Volts RMS.Apples and oranges.
can i connect this headphone amp to power amp?
Will this work with denafrips ares2.
With a high output dac a preamp let's you run it wide open at its best snr point, all it does is attenuate, and it attenuates noise with signal, unlike a digital volume control that gets worse the more you attenuate.
The only difference is the slightly high input impedance of the pre90, that gives about half a dB of roll off at 20k for sources with output impedance over 300 ohms.
What's makes you say 300 ohms is the threshold?
That is only true with purely digital volume controls. There is zero loss with some DACs.
Hello mate I have Singxer sa-1 and Gustard A18 with balanced output Hifiman Arya Stelth. What are You thoughts around buying pre 90 to this setup considering some say it's not to powerful Amp but very good sounding, also that new Arya has lost a bit of soundstage compared to "new" version.
Hi Michal, in your case PRE90 wouldn't help you in any way. Save your money for something else
This versus a Doge 8?
I wonder if the pre 90 would help with the Smsl sp400? I think we mentioned that it’s power output is handicapped but the input volts from the Dac. Does the pre 90 Improve a D90 - A90 stack at all?
It would definetely help the SP400 if your DAC is not outputting a ~5.5V signal. In the D90 - A90 stack, it would clip the A90, so it isn't recommended at all.
Deleted your post on my latest video, but I still got to read it. I'm not allowed to talk about the Volot right now, BUT I'm allowed to tell that a world first written and video review on it would be coming from me. I'll give a small hint: HPA4 is working as a preamp only from now on.
@@Soundnews Apologies I didn't realize their was a press blackout on it similar to what the auto companies do to the YT reviewers.
@@Soundnews don’t forget to test out the Volot preamp capabilities too! Vitaliy mentioned that the reason for the delay was waiting for PCBs for pre amp functionality otherwise we would have likely had it last September.
@@Soundnews The confusion I'm dealing with is: I want the A90 for the headphone input options but want more power for my powered monitors that the A90 does not provide. Could I then add the pre 90?
so the Pre90 is transparent sounding like the D90 MQA?
Yes, it is a very transparent preamp.
I have the Topping pre 90. Very good. Very silent.
You say Pre90 will improove the most DACs with low voltage high output impedance, however Pre90 has very low input impedance (2kOhm on XLR and 10kOhm on RCA) so this might be problem for weak current DACs due to impedance mismatch. it should be matched with high end DACs with low output impedance and standard low voltage. For ex. LKS mh-da004 with output impedance of 33 Ohm and voltage 2Vrms on RCA out is the ideal match (that makes me want to try Pre90).
The input impedance to Pre90 matters less. The output impedance of Pre90 to your power amp is a lot more important and since it has only 20 Ohms on RCA and 40 Ohms on XLR, it will preserve the signal power, unlocking the true potential of your DAC.
@@Soundnews Why matters less? This Pre in the chain is a current sucker from the DAC and If DAC cannot, with hi-speed deliver the current - the preamp will be amplifying distortion. Some will perceive it as more detail. But iy will be distortion. What do you mean then by "unlocking true potential of the DAC"?
@@marcinwasilewski5414 Please read the full written review, it is all there. I'm sorry but I don't have the time to repeat myself over and over again.
@@Soundnews I will try Pre90 from curiosity. Hi-end preamps I tried so far spoiled my DAC performance. But I have easy to drive tube monos with 750mV input sensitivity and 100k Ohm input impedance. Frankly I cannot imagine that it can sound better. How you compare Pre90 to SMSL SP400 on 4 THX 888 chips? This SMSL probably needs better linear power supply instead of small SMPS modules. Pre90 has linear power supply I hope, right?
@@Soundnews This preamp is increadibly good. I like it more than $10.000 accuphase preamp, better that other solid state preamps I heard, it is so smooth, black background, great focus and soundstage. No distortions at all. Fantastic stuff. Works great with LKS and with Topping D70s (great DAC, so musical and analog like).
Pre90 or L70
I would like to see them build power amp too but with some VU meters. Otherwise i don't care.
A power amp from them is incoming soon. Without VU meters...
the display looked uneven>>????
that display is tilted
Where is this 'chapter 6, one click away' review of the Pre90 vs the Benchmark? There is nothing about this in the information listed. Great video otherwise.
soundnews.net/accessories/topping-pre90-ext90-review-pre-amp-my-power-amp/
@@Soundnews thanks! xoxo