Topping TP60 review

[Audio Al]

This is my 1st review , so be gentle with me :)

My mate Tarzan has for some time been considering buying a Topping TP60 , means nothing 2 me as I have not heard of this make before , It would appear they are made in China

Full details here ,http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOPPING-TP-60-2-80W-TA-2022-Class-T-Amp-Tripath-Stero-HiFi-Amplifier-Adapter-/191122263857?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiF i_Amplifiers&hash=item2c7fc64f31

Tarzan duly ordered one and it arrived safe and sound , some time later it was offered 2 me for a home try out , not being shy and loving a bit of box swapping the offer was excepted :)

Today I wired it up using the following kit

My Kenwood KP-5022A turn table fitted with a Kenwood V41 cart ( re badged Audio Technics )

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/IMG_2923.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/IMG_2923.jpg.html)


I decided 2 keep thing basic so used a entry level phono stage ( Pro-Ject phono box 11 )

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/IMG_2925.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/IMG_2925.jpg.html)



Interconnect cables used were all ( Hitachi )

Speaker cables ( Black rhodium twist )

Speakers used JBL L1's with Sound Organization stands

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/IMG_2926.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/IMG_2926.jpg.html)
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and of course the Topping TP60 amp

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/IMG_2924.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/IMG_2924.jpg.html)
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/IMG_2927.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/IMG_2927.jpg.html)
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The amp came very well packages in a strong box with a fitted foam inner liner

Lifting the amp out of the box the weight was the first thing I noticed , for a compact amp it is very weighty ( a good sign ) ;)

The amp has 2 line stages , enough for general use , good looking binding posts that use 4mm banana plugs , The amp does not have a remote or bass / treble / balance functions ( a proper amp ;) ) It does have a volume control knob

I fired everything up and banged on a LP ( Anita Baker Rapture ) and sat back for a listen , Being open minded I did not expect much in the way of results from a budget setup :(

HOW WRONG WAS I :eek:

The sound quality is very good , Bass is full and rich , Treble is detailed without being harsh , cymbals sound detailed and realistic , Vocals and midrange are also revealing

For the money this amp is in my opinion a absolute bargain :eyebrows:

Not sure if Tarzan is getting this back :D

I was supposed 2 be in bed now , 3 hours overdue so far :lol:

I am enjoying this very much ;)

[brian2957]

Welcome to the club mate . I'm currently usind an Amptastic mini-1 powered by a 12V car battery and it is fantastic. These little amps are great , particularly when used with the right partnering equipment.:)

[jandl100]

Yep, I had one for a while - I agree, a very nice amp.

More balls and drive than the TA2020 chip amps, like the old Mini-T and new Mini-1, if you need it (and some speakers and systems do), but the TP60 doesn't quite match their liveliness, tautness, openness and transparency, imo. It's a bit more laid back than they are.

[wee tee cee]

Good review Al.
T amps when partnered well give great results. Have you any others to compare the topping with?

[synsei]

Very well made and nice sounding thingies those Toppings. I think the fact that they are made in China might be putting some people off, it shouldn't... ;)

[walpurgis]

I've used the TP60. It's pleasant enough and not short of grunt, but I found it a bit lacking in ultimate transparency and a little two dimensional. At the price you can't grumble though and it is very system friendly as it has no hardness to the sound. It's certainly as good as anything else I've heard at that sort of money. The sound reminds me a bit of the A60, so I suppose many would feel comfortable with it.

[Tarzan]

I've used the TP60. It's pleasant enough and not short of grunt, but I found it a bit lacking in ultimate transparency and a little two dimensional. At the price you can't grumble though and it is very system friendly as it has no hardness to the sound. It's certainly as good as anything else I've heard at that sort of money. The sound reminds me a bit of the A60, so I suppose many would feel comfortable with it.


Hi Geoff, this is the very latest version, they do seem to upgrade the internals every now and then.

[Tarzan]

Good review Al.
T amps when partnered well give great results. Have you any others to compare the topping with?

Yes,my tweaked Virtue Sensation.:eek::)

[Magna Audio]

I use 2. One on my tapped horns (4.2m long horns for sub) and one on my front loaded mid bass horns (1m long).
The amps control the 15" bass drivers no problem and give deep fast toneful bass. I used them at Scalford to fill a massive room with bass.
Ok my system is 110 dB through to 115dB / watt efficiency so watts go a long way!
Used for the right application they are great.
I use el84 set amps for the upper 3 channels.

[Audio Al]

Thanks to Tarzan for the extended loan of the TP60

I very much enjoyed my time with this amp Excellent quality and value , sounded very detailed

Now back with Tarzan ;)

[brian2957]

Thanks for the review Allen . I'm a big fan of these little amps .

[Tarzan]

l do not know if l am breaking any forum rules here, but this amp is now for sale, PM for details etc...:):

[Ninanina]

I had a Topping TP30 which had one RCA input as well as a USB input, and for the crazy cheap price I paid it was superb sounding... I sold it to someone on here, sorry I cannot remember who..oops, with a 'slight' fault and sold it for peanuts. The person that purchased it fixed the 'slight' problem easily.. these little amps cost virtually 'NOTHING' but their sound is truly superb

In the end the Audo Note won out but without spening silly money I think most of these 'T' amps are very good indeed .... bargain ;)

[Tarzan]

l do not know if l am breaking any forum rules here, but this amp is now for sale, PM for details etc...:):

Amp still for sale, £110 delivered, not even run in yet, grab yourself a bargain!:)

[southall-1998]

BUMP!

Just thought I'd resurrect this useful handy thread.

Today, I received my TP60 amplifier. I was quite shocked by the weight of this amp. No surprise really, this amp contains two hefty transformers inside.

Will have a listen soon.

S.