Topping A30 HiFi Desktop Headphone Amplifier 3.5mm/6.35mm Headphone Output Silver (A30 Silver)

I bought this to test against some other low-cost head-phone amps. I already have the underrated D-30 DAC, and I suppose they belong together. This time I waited for the amp to "break in" before I wrote a review.The Good: Better-than-average fit and finish. Clean, logical controls--including a 6.35mm and 3.5mm TRS plug, so you don't need to worry about swapping adapters on your headphones. Runs surprisingly cool when it's pushed with overly loud-mastered music tracks such as dance or metal. (And I mean it will run warm instead of hot, which means it will run longer before failure.) Sounds like a typical hi-fi amp that is using mix-mode feedback. Definitely not "clinical" or dead neutral sounding. Very low noise. I had to crank it up on the +18dB gain setting before I heard noise. It's got plenty of power to power any headphone I have.The Bad: The price is sort of high, especially considering that the D-30 DAC is much more complicated than the A-30, but costs only $10 more. No apparent headphone protection circuit during power-on. Considering the amount of current that this thing can push--and its price--it's sort of not excusable. Do I hear some distortion when it's pushed? I believe so.The Ugly: I lost the power supply of my VIC-20 in 1981. Oh wait, here it is! Topping sent it back to me inside the A-30 box... So, the power supply is functional, but it throws off a lot heat. Even when the unit is TURNED OFF. I unplug it when not in use.

The A30 is a nice amp, I enjoy it with my beyerdynamic dt990 250ohms. Havent try them with my 600ohms yet, I tend to use the 600ohms with my schiit valhalla 2. I love the built of topping products. They are robust, feel durable and feels like something you get your moneys worth for. Sound quality is comparable to the schiit magni 3 plus, but the magni seems to push my beyers 250ohms easier and with just a tiny more detail. I am planning to do the upgrade they talk about on youtube to the A30. I will update my review after I get upgrade done. I think of my topping A30 and D30 stack more of an office use, where it will display nicely and have nice sound available. I am an audio enthusiast and enjoy all kinds of music and different sound signatures. I have grown to enjoy headphone equipment so much, that I even started handcrafting display stands for topping and schiit racks. Here is a SAMPLE if you guys are interested. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DP7MGZY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_fG2hFbQ44WZRB

I bought this along with the D30 DAC that I also reviewed. Overall this amp sounds very good for the price. However, I am giving it 5 stars for the potential it has as it has replaceable opamps, the stock OPA2134AP OP-AMP is good for most, however, if you have headphones that scales with better amping (i.e. HD600/ HD650) try switching out the OP-AMP and you will be amazed. I highly recommend the LME49860 if your on a budget, for mid-buget the LME4990 (2x single opamp soldered on dual board) , and if you want to take it a step further and budget allows, the Burson V5i Dual opamp. You will need 2x of the opamps of your choice.After chaning the opamp, it is sounded almost and entire different amp, better dynamics, bass, and clarity. However, some might argue that spending money on opamps on budget amps might now be worth it, but I say that even you were to get the Burson, this amp would still cost less than $200 but it punches way above that price point.

I had been trying to find a high quality headphone amplifier able to drive my Beyerdynamic DT 880 600ohm Special Edition phones. I tried the Schiit Magni 3. But the lack of power noticeably introduced distortion. I was going to try the Grace M900, but because I it lack analog inputs, not to mention a higher price, negated that. With limited options I had heard about the Topping. I desperately needed something that would substantially increase the power of my UAD Apollo interface headphone jacks. Topping did the trick. I was ecstatic to get total clean transparent power, at a price far below what I thought possible. Great solid build, too.

First, a beautiful piece of hardware, very simple and clean lines in nice materials. Second, hand-in-hand with the D30 Digital Audio Converter this is a dynamic duo. I have several pairs of quality headphones but was not using a decent amplifier to drive them, nor a DAC other than that built into my PC.The combination of these two devices brings new life to my headphones, revealing the quality of them and the subtleties of countless recordings to which I listen. There's really no coloring and the sound is very neutral with a great sound field. The fact that each piece is only a hundred dollars and is of such high performance is astonishing.Highly recommended for audio enthusiasts who are looking for non-pricey gear.

I love the performance of the A30. The sound is amazing and after replacing the socket mounted op-amp with Burston Audio V5i Dual x2 it sound even more detailed with enhanced bass and treble regions.Took 1 star off from the power supply: The included power supply TA301-C is audibly buzzing and you can feel the vibrations when you touch it. This can be fixed using  Specialty Soft Clear 1/2" (12.7mm) Dia x 0.20" (5.1mm) H Round Sound Deadening Cabinet and Furniture Bumpers - 50 Pack .

I have this paired with the Topping D30 DAC and a Behringer Mini FBQ, this makes for an excellent hi-fi headphone setup. I am using this to power Sennheiser 6xx - HD 650, and Beyerdynamics DT770 250 ohm with no problems. For the money I cannot see how this a great purchase compared to much more expensive alternatives. If you are looking to get into a nice desktop hi-fi setup, look no further.

Got this based on reviews on Amazon and audio forums. This unit does an exceptional job. Incredible value for the price. Well built using top components. This does compete with higher priced gear I have sampled. Clear, precise, and neutral. Doesn't add color or effects to the sound. It works well with low and high impedance headphones as the power and gain can both be adjusted. Background is super quiet. Mates very good with the D-30 DAC.

Cumple su función bien y tiene la enorme ventaja de tener un line-out para conectar a, por ejemplo, un amplificador de bocinas. La construcción es excelente, hecho en aluminio y con botones y perilla de calidad. La fuente de poder es bromosa. Se calienta muy poco, siendo siempre tibio al tacto. El interruptor cuenta con tres pasos: apagado, baja y alta energía (que no cambia en nada el sonido/no comprendo su función) y un gain switch también de tres pasos. Con mis K712 (60 Ohm) no necesito aumentar el gain. Pongo 4 estrellas porque no escucho nada especial ni distinto comparado con otros amplificadores más sencillos (Fiio Q1 Mark 1), aunque no genera ninguna distorción y es muy limpio. Es de los amplificadores para escritorio más baratos que se ofrecen en México, quedando casi sin la competencia que debería tener (Liquid Spark, Schiit Magni, JDS Labs Atom...). Es buena compra, pero nada espectacular.

Bought this stacked with the D30 and it made a massive improvement for headphone listening over my Audioengine N22 desktop amp. Even came with an Aussie travel adapter.