Topping A30 Pro NFCA Headphone Amplifier OPA1656 4PIN XLR 4.4MM 6.35MM Output Balanced Input Amplifier (Black)

Product Information

I'm not saying that all rob said is the truth, but it's logical that shorter signal path = increase transparency. Also logical that using single ended amp provide higher quality of each audio parts inside, because use much less components. However, the L30’s RCA outputs are pre-amp outputs, while the A30 Pro is just a passthrough RCA, so in a way, the L30 has a leg up over the A30 Pro in this regard. Would be interesting why to choose this over a L30. Integrated power supply? Look and feel? Balanced connections? Unfortunately, I then listened to recordings of classical music using the HO200 that are among my favorites and decided that I could not enjoy listening to most classical recordings on the HO200.

Topping A30Pro | Page 2 | Headphone Reviews and Discussion Topping A30Pro | Page 2 | Headphone Reviews and Discussion

Compared to the ruler flat frequency response of the HO200, there is a more energetic midbass hump on the A30 Pro. This gives drum hits more weight and body, while bass guitars have a more flowy presentation overall. Drum hits are more immediate on the A30 Pro while having a more rounded and smoother overall presentation.Three-step gain switch​A three-step gain switch adapts the A30 Pro to the huge sensitivity gap between IEMs and full-size headphones. From -14dB on the low setting to +14dB on the high setting, the function spans an impressive 28dB. The treble presentation is also very well controlled with this pair. Even higher-pitched piano notes have a natural timbral presentation while remaining generally crisp and impactful. The airiness of the A30 Pro is immediately apparent when listening to live recordings. It gives you the sense that the recording space is an expansive soundscape. However, the elements within the soundstage are pulled in, giving a more intimate presentation within the soundstage. The Topping A30pro has you covered on outputs with 4.4mm, 6.35mm and 4 Pin-XLR connector for your headphones it also has Rca outputs and TRS balanced output for your audio system. The A30 Pro covers most occasions and types of headphones. The A30 Pro provides 3 step gain settings which can easily adapt to the huge sensitivity span from IEMs to high impedance and full size over-ears. Just connect the earphones and leave the rest to A30 Pro.

Topping A30 Pro NFCA Headphone Amplifier OPA1656 4PIN XLR 4

Something I found to be very positive is the presence of the switches on the front, so they are very convenient to flip. There are both the power switch (which also acts as an impedance selector) and a gain selector, which allows to choose between three presets: 0 dB, 9 dB, 18 dB. Going into the bassline, the A30 Pro goes deep into the sub-bass region. There is a sense of environmental sub-bass presence that encompasses the entire soundscape. With drum hits though, each hit has a good amount of impact, but the presentation of the drum hits is not as taut as I expected them to be. Since then, buying headphones does not have to consider whether the plug matches the headphone amplifier, because the A30Pro already provides you all in a compact body, including 4-PIN-XLR, 4.4mm, 6.35mm.D isclaimer: The Topping A30 Pro sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank the team at Shenzhen Audioand Toppingfor giving us this opportunity.

Topping A30Pro Review (Balanced Headphone Amp)

The most notable difference between the 2 devices on the specs sheet is the power output capability of the 2 devices. The 16Ω output of the L30 tops out at 3.5W, while the A30 Pro is rated at 6W, which is almost double the power output. A three-step gain switch adapts the A30 Pro to the huge sensitivity gap between IEMs and full-size headphones. From -14dB on the low setting to +14dB on the high setting, the function spans an impressive 28dB. Made to pair with the D30 Pro Desktop DAC The secondone is a ground or lift/switch, which can isolate the ground on the power circuit from the ground of the single-ended or balanced inputs. Isolating the ground of the A30 Pro can potentially eliminate any ground loop noise due to a different grounding potential of an upstream device.When shutting down, the input signal is directly output to RCA or TRS without amplification, which will be more suitable for active speakers/monitor speakers when the DAC has pre-amplifier functions. Even better is when used with D30Pro, the excellent noise performance of D30Pro is not wasted. The A30 Pro comes with many good specs, including the ability to run balanced inputs. Switching between the RCA input and XLR, there is a nice difference to each. The XLR is noticeably richer on most headphones, but on some IEM’s, I did note that the RCA connection was better. In other words, it is nice to have this choice. That said, I put more into what the unit sounds like, than the overall specs. Below a certain threshold, the human ear cannot hear distortion anyway; so, the point is moot to me when comparing specs. Suffice to say, the A30 Pro can hold its own with most mid-fi set ups. A high output curve does allow the amp to drive low impedance headphones with ease, and my LCD-3’s came across quite nicely in the mix, when listening to Art Blakely through Tidal. In the middle of both devices are their respective headphone outputs. However, the L30 only has a ¼” headphone output, while the A30 Pro has 3 different output options for convenience. The pass-through outputs are connected to its corresponding input, meaning RCA to RCA, and the ¼” balanced to the 3-pin XLR inputs.