My latest amp on the way -- NOT class D, NOT a clone, not even class A/B

[Feanor]

I certainly agree with you but, when I say it sounded bad, it did. It was rough sounding, unrefined and almost veiled. The sound stage was not that big. And I have 2 of them. Like I said it sounds decent when paired with a 2ch Marantz recevier from the early 2000's with Monitor Audio Silver RX2 speakers and a lap top. What is so hard to believe about that.

I didn't say I didn't believe you.

I only said I personally have found Topping DACs to be very good. I've had five of them.

1. DX7s
2. D90
3. DX5 II
4. DX1 II

They've all sounded very good, no problems with them being unrefined or veiled -- haven't had the D50, though.

 

[RepublicOfTexas69]

Junk is Junk and Topping gear is junk. It amazes me that people buy this crap and then claim it sound fantastic why buy anything more expensive.....like I said Junk is Junk and there is now way this junk sounds like reference gear. Just buy some headphones and stream from your Ipad dude.

 

[firenze]

This is an interesting discussion! I have never heard any of Topping's gear aside from a DAC of theirs I own (D10s). The DAC is decent, but my Denafrips Ares II is so much more inspiring both in terms of build and sound (both are Chinese companies).

That said, I do think Topping gives great value at its price point. It's not trying to compete at the high end and clearly targets the measurements above all crowd (especially with them sending things to ASR for review).

If you like this amp, great! I do think it's interesting to see a class B amp being made in this year of our lord, 2026.

 

[Michaels HiFi]

This is an interesting discussion! I have never heard any of Topping's gear aside from a DAC of theirs I own (D10s). The DAC is decent, but my Denafrips Ares II is so much more inspiring both in terms of build and sound (both are Chinese companies).

That said, I do think Topping gives great value at its price point. It's not trying to compete at the high end and clearly targets the measurements above all crowd (especially with them sending things to ASR for review).

If you like this amp, great! I do think it's interesting to see a class B amp being made in this year of our lord, 2026.

Hello newbie!

I agree with your comments.

For me - and I think others as well - the issue with Topping and other of their ilk is not that it is OK for the price. But rather the issue is the people and reviewers claiming it's amazing and huff with stuff like "this $500 piece beats $10,000 high end gear".

It's that attempt to cast it as being much better than it really is in an attempt to feel like they are crapping on higher end gear. Much like those who support the entire clone premise.

 

[Kramer64]

I wouldn't buy a Topping because of the Chinese ownership-I wouldn't buy a Volvo for the same reason and those are great cars. No soap box here, that's just my personal preference. I have an iphone so certainly can't say I own no Chinese products-likely none of us can. I know some of the Chinese brands are very good and have decent distribution. It seems though, that for a lot of it you have to just assume its a throw away if there is a problem. What do you do if you need service? At a lower price maybe it doesn't matter but when you start spending a few thousand bucks I would want to understand the product support plan. I don't know much about Topping, but it seems they are selling at a rapid clip-somebody must like them.

 

[Michaels HiFi]

I wouldn't buy a Topping because of the Chinese ownership-I wouldn't buy a Volvo for the same reason and those are great cars. No soap box here, that's just my personal preference. I have an iphone so certainly can't say I own no Chinese products-likely none of us can. I know some of the Chinese brands are very good and have decent distribution. It seems though, that for a lot of it you have to just assume its a throw away if there is a problem. What do you do if you need service? At a lower price maybe it doesn't matter but when you start spending a few thousand bucks I would want to understand the product support plan. I don't know much about Topping, but it seems they are selling at a rapid clip-somebody must like them.

Good points.

The other often over-looked issue is safety.

I've had FAR too many venires message me with nightmare stories about their chi-fi gear going up in flames, taking out other gear and more.

Certainly that can happen with ANYTHING, but most of the Chi-Fi isn't even legitimately UL listed.

 

[RepublicOfTexas69]

Good points.

The other often over-looked issue is safety.

I've had FAR too many venires message me with nightmare stories about their chi-fi gear going up in flames, taking out other gear and more.

Certainly that can happen with ANYTHING, but most of the Chi-Fi isn't even legitimately UL listed.

Neither is gear from the EU. UL is strictly voluntary is not a regulatory body.

That aside I agree on the questionable code and safety standards.

The National Electrical Code (NEC) does not specifically require products to be UL listed, but it does require electrical equipment to be listed and labeled by a qualified Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). [1]

Key Facts About NEC and Testing Requirements

• • NRTL Approval: The NEC (such as in sections like Article 110.3) mandates that equipment be evaluated and certified by an OSHA-approved testing lab, of which Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is only one option. Other accepted labs include CSA, Intertek (ETL), and Eurofins. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
  • The Role of UL: While not explicitly named as the sole provider, UL is the most common NRTL, and its safety standards are widely used as the benchmark for compliance. [1, 2]
  • Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ): Local electrical inspectors make the final call on whether a specific certification mark is acceptable for a given installation. [1, 2]
  • Following Instructions: NEC Article 110.3(B) states that any listed or labeled equipment must be installed and used strictly according to the instructions included with that listing. [1, 2]

 

[Michaels HiFi]

Neither is gear from the EU. UL is strictly voluntary is not a regulatory body.

That aside I agree on the questionable code and safety standards.

The National Electrical Code (NEC) does not specifically require products to be UL listed, but it does require electrical equipment to be listed and labeled by a qualified Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). [1]

Key Facts About NEC and Testing Requirements

• • NRTL Approval: The NEC (such as in sections like Article 110.3) mandates that equipment be evaluated and certified by an OSHA-approved testing lab, of which Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is only one option. Other accepted labs include CSA, Intertek (ETL), and Eurofins. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
  • The Role of UL: While not explicitly named as the sole provider, UL is the most common NRTL, and its safety standards are widely used as the benchmark for compliance. [1, 2]
  • Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ): Local electrical inspectors make the final call on whether a specific certification mark is acceptable for a given installation. [1, 2]
  • Following Instructions: NEC Article 110.3(B) states that any listed or labeled equipment must be installed and used strictly according to the instructions included with that listing. [1, 2]

I believe the EU has its own standard though that companies can apply for. So while it may not be UL standards they do meet some level of minimum standards.

I may be wrong though - but I'm pretty sure there is an EU version.

 

[Mechnutt]

Hello newbie!

I agree with your comments.

For me - and I think others as well - the issue with Topping and other of their ilk is not that it is OK for the price. But rather the issue is the people and reviewers claiming it's amazing and huff with stuff like "this $500 piece beats $10,000 high end gear".

It's that attempt to cast it as being much better than it really is in an attempt to feel like they are crapping on higher end gear. Much like those who support the entire clone premise.

Absolutely. That is the issue. I occasionally go on Reddit when I am bored and the crap that people spout about the ChiFi gear, $200 TT's and $50 phono preamps is just ridiculous. And people asking for help to buy good system believe this crap. I was telling a guy about my phono preamp journey leading to my $2300 Gold Note and some guy that has a Schiit Skoll F a $400 phono preamp gave me crap saying that there is no proof that spending anymore that $400 on a phono preamp will give you better sound. And he was using a $2K TT.