Topping TP20 Mk 2

[xerxes]

On a bit of a whim I bought one of these:



More details here: www.hllyhifi.com/mini-topping-tp20-mk2-tp20mkii-ta2020-stereo-amplifier-p-225.html

Bought it here: www.dinodirect.com/topping-digital-amplifier-class-t-tp20-mark2.html?cur=GBP for £44.84 with free shipping to the UK and it arrived in 5 days of ordering.

It arrived not long ago and I've hooked it up to my MP3 player the little Goodmans Maxim 2 speakers on my desk. I've had it playing for about half an hour and it still seems to be opening up a bit, but I'm already very pleased with the sound. It's nice and clean and clear and produces a nice little soundstage in front of me.

The Goodmans speakers aren't particularly efficient at just 86db/W and the amp only puts out about 15 or 20wpc, so it won't play at party levels, but it's plenty loud enough with the dial at 10 o'clock when the speakers are only about 2 or 3 feet away.

All in all, I'm pretty pleased. Later I may try it in my main system, although I suspect it might struggle a bit with my Dynaudio 52SE speakers, which are also only 86db/W, but with 4ohm impedance and, in my experience, sound their best with a powerful amp.

[xerxes]

I tried the little amp in my main system today. Despite my speakers being quite low efficiency it drove them easily enough to a moderate volume.

Compared to my main pre-power amp combination it lacks weight, scale and authority. The bass lacks the punch, impact and slam of my pre-power combo, mind you, given that these put out 350 watts/channel rather than the T-amps 15, it's not surprising.

The midrange and top end are very nice, there's plenty of detail without being harsh, bright or tiring and female vocals in particular sound very nice. Sound stage and separation are also very nice.

It did not blow my main amp set-up into the weeds, and given the price differential, I would hope not. However, given the T-amps tiny size and low cost it sounds very nice indeed.

[xerxes]

Just for fun I put my REL subwoofer under the desk and hooked it up to the Topping amp together with my little Goodmans Maxim 2 Speakers.

What a hoot!

I wouldn't want the sub on all the time, pens, coffee cups and keyboard rattling about the desk is a bit distracting, but playing some bass heavy tracks like Propeller Heads - Take California, Massive Attack - Angel and some Shpongle is great fun.

[XTRProf]

Sept 16, 2011 20:30:26 GMT xerxes said:

I wouldn't want the sub on all the time, pens, coffee cups and keyboard rattling about the desk is a bit distracting, but playing some bass heavy tracks like Propeller Heads - Take California, Massive Attack - Angel and some Shpongle is great fun.

Yeah, don't forget your little dicky will be screaming with pleasure as well.

Totally, agreed with your assessment between a high power amp and a low power one of say around 15W total. I have use 2 Sonic Impact T-Amps and that didn't come near my Parasound amps.