Just Ordered a Pair of the New, Class-AB Topping B100 Monoblocs...
EddNog
Active Member
So I had an opportunity to play with gain settings on the B100s and then (re-)blend my subwoofer with them. I found that the Low setting on XLR input, which is +0dB, or unity gain, was not quite loud enough on some tracks when I use Passive mode on my preamp (Schiit Freya+) despite the balanced output of my streamer being rated 4Vrms. I switched it to the Medium setting, which is rated +10.4dB gain, and now I can get it loud enough even on my quietest tracks (examples include Carmen Fantasy (After Bizet) by All-Star Percussion Ensemble and Jazz at the Pawn Shop) on Passive mode. Again this is with medium sensitivity speakers (KEF LS50 Meta) plus SVS SB-3000 subwoofer.
So far, as far as I can tell, the amplifier is as clean as Topping’s ratings indicate, even at higher (for me) volumes of ~70dB about 10 feet away. I am thoroughly satisfied with these, and plan to keep these in my chain over my Fosi amps (which I keep the pair of ZA3s as backups just in case anything should ever fail on these B100s). As far as overall tonality, I find these to sit in a happy middle ground between my pair of very smooth V3 Monos rolled with Sparkos SS3602s (which I gave my dad to drive his Magepan LES+) and extremely detailed and borderline analytical ZA3s rolled with Burson V7 Vivids that I just swapped out of for these. However in full fairness, if properly level-matched and ABX compared between these and the other amps, I’d probably have an exceedingly difficult time consistently picking out which amp is driving.
-Ed
So far, as far as I can tell, the amplifier is as clean as Topping’s ratings indicate, even at higher (for me) volumes of ~70dB about 10 feet away. I am thoroughly satisfied with these, and plan to keep these in my chain over my Fosi amps (which I keep the pair of ZA3s as backups just in case anything should ever fail on these B100s). As far as overall tonality, I find these to sit in a happy middle ground between my pair of very smooth V3 Monos rolled with Sparkos SS3602s (which I gave my dad to drive his Magepan LES+) and extremely detailed and borderline analytical ZA3s rolled with Burson V7 Vivids that I just swapped out of for these. However in full fairness, if properly level-matched and ABX compared between these and the other amps, I’d probably have an exceedingly difficult time consistently picking out which amp is driving.
-Ed
EddNog
Active Member
EddNog
Active Member
Hard to figure out if they are hard to drive or not. I did not feel the midrange is any thinner with B100 than with V3 Mono or ZA3 while driving LS50 Metas.
-Ed
wushuliu
Super Member
I haven't heard the Fosi amps but plenty of similar TPA-based amps. They can have that presentation which is why they pair so well with tube preamps (IMO). The B100 does sound similar to a TPA amp. The thinness in the mids doesn't sound bad or strained. It's a nice sounding amp.
EddNog
Active Member
Funny you should mention that…I use a Schiit Freya+ and my dad an Audio Research SP16 with his Fosi power amps.
-Ed
EddNog
Active Member
ASR's B100 review is now up.
audiosciencereview.com
-Ed
Topping B100 Amplifier Review
This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping B100 "monoblock" amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $299. I was surprised by the desktop/low profile of the amplifier. I expected something a lot taller/chunkier especially since this is a class B amplifier and not...
audiosciencereview.com
-Ed
EddNog
Active Member
I’ve replaced the Freya+ with L70 and added E70 Velvet for DAC duties. Everything is now linked by 12V trigger, even the subwoofer. It’s so clean and so convenient now. One press of the power on the remote and the entire system is ready for listening! Sound is absolutely immaculate now. Clarity, dynamics, resolution, everything is just truly stunning. This is my endgame!
-Ed
-Ed