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solicidium
11
Dec 29, 2020
I am wondering if it has an edge over Topping A90 and if it is only measurable or even audible. Regarding the pure numbers: no data seen of single ended performance so far, balanced performance slightly lower than A90. SA-1 has vent-holes which I miss a little bit on Topping hence it generates more heat than THX amps, A90 has three stage gain while SA-1 only two.
Chessman47
117
Jan 1, 2021
solicidiumLike you, I have a Topping A90 and wonder if the SA-1 would sound better. The SA-1 appears that it may have better build quality. One might guess that the SA-1 is Singxer's attempt to "top" the Topping.
mikechw
43
Jan 4, 2021
Chessman47Well, I have a Topping A90 and I have ordered a SA-1 from Shenzhen audio to try out.. My SA-1 won't arrive until mid Jan.. Two reasons I am trying out the SA-1. A90 isn't fully balanced as you can see its has better SE performance... A90's balanced input impedance is only 2k, SE is 10k.. SA-1 have a much higher input impedance..
verifonix
1181
Jan 4, 2021
mikechw"A90 isn't fully balanced as you can see its has better SE performance..." this is false, it is fully dual mono balanced inside out. The reason SE has better theoretical performance is because balanced will double the noise, that is just by design, two amplifier modules will produce 2n of noise. RCA is much more prone to interference though, so most likely won't ever hit that theoretical performance. In real life, balanced will perform at least equally, with more power. You're right about the input impedance though. RCA 10 kΩ is pretty compatible but balanced 2kΩ is really low by any standard. Probably not an issue though, but could be troublesome with older/vintage gear!
(Edited)
solicidium
11
Jan 5, 2021
mikechwIf you will have time I would be glad if you could share your impressions comparing the two amp, mainly how they sound and about the environment you tried them (DAC, headphones, SE or BAL cable). Of course any other observation would be appreciated.
mikechw
43
Jan 9, 2021
solicidiumSA-1 arrived yesterday. I hooked it up and its running smoothly.
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Stacking D90 on top of SA-1, SA-1 is slightly wider and taller. SA-1 is slightly heavier. SA-1's volume knob is heavier to steer. SA-1 has locking mechanisum for XLR input. D90's gain setting is easier to access. (and more flexible) SA-1's low gain setting 0db(XLR in->balanced out) = D90's M gain (SE in -> balanced out) SA-1's high gain 11.5db (XLR in->balanced out) D90's high gain 15.5db (XLR in->balanced out) SA-1's USD 100 more expensive.. Initial Impression: SA-1's background is darker, bass is tighter. I am running SA-1 at low gain setting and it definitely not as loud. (D90 has a more flexible gain setup) SA-1's gain switch is on the bottom of the unit and it recommend to turn off the unit before switching them.
mikechw
43
Jan 9, 2021
solicidiumHeadphones tried: Hifiman Ananda, Meze Classics99 (Both BAL cable) DAC is Topping D90, I was using D90's SE to A90, since it sound slightly better SE in on A90.. With SA-1, I use D90's BAL out. After a few hours of listening, I can confirmed SA-1 does have an edge over A90. Bass is definitely tighter and stronger, more control with both my Ananda and Classics99. I am running SA-1 on low gain. ( volume know on 4o'clock, almost max) On high gain SA-1, the usable range is from (7oclock- 10oclock). Anything pass 12oclock is too loud to bear.. (Hifiman Ananda)
Chessman47
117
Jan 9, 2021
mikechwThanks for your reports! I also found I preferred to use the SE inputs on the A90. I took a chance and was one of the 4 customers who ordered an SA-1 from Drop. Thanks to your quick reports, I'm glad I ordered the SA-1. I am finding there is something not quite right about the tonality of the A90, and I've removed it from my system. I should receive the SA-1 in about a month.
solicidium
11
Jan 9, 2021
mikechwThank your for your detailed review, I really appreciate the effort you put in it. I'm using THX AAA 789 SE, cause it was confirmed by many that it is the way to use it but I was not sure about A90 and was not able to test it out personally hence i don't have the same XLR and RCA cables unfortunately.
solicidium
11
Jan 9, 2021
Chessman47Hopefully we will have then at least two comparison reviews here on the forum ;) What do you mean exactly that tonality is not quite right? Have you managed to find out where is it lacking?
Chessman47
117
Jan 11, 2021
solicidiumIt's subtle and hard to describe. I am very impressed with the A90 for the price and I think it is a very good amp. I bought it due to the great measurements and because it has a 4.4mm balanced output, which was missing from my HeadAmp GS-X mini headphone amp. My best headphone cables have 4.4mm plugs, so I have to use adapters with the GS-X mini. At first, I was extremely impressed with the A90, thinking I heard more detail and transparency. With more time, hearing familiar recordings, I heard perhaps some hardness to the sound, or something in high frequency overtones that is somewhat unpleasant. I switched back to my HeadAmp GS-X mini (using the same DAC, headphone & cables), and those undesirable effects were gone. Note that the HeadAmp unit has a class-A circuit and costs almost 4 times the A90, so it's not a fair comparison, or a surprise that I prefer the HeadAmp.
verifonix
1181
Jan 11, 2021
Chessman47Yeah I found my A90 very fine for the price, personally.
Chessman47
117
Feb 5, 2021
mikechwI received my SA-1 today. It sounds great with my Meze Empyrean. I'm not sure how to set the impedance switch (Hi-Z or Low-Z). I'm guessing that Low-Z is for IEMs and Hi-Z is for headphones? Or is Hi-Z for really high impedance headphones like Sennheiser? The Meze's impedance is 32 ohms, but I seem to get better bass with the Low-Z setting. I found the User Handbook for download from the Singxer website. According to the manual, "The low-impedance output impedance is 1.4 ohms (balanced) and 0.7 ohms (single-ended); the high-impedance output impedance is 11.4 ohms (balanced) and 10.7 ohms (single-ended)."
solicidium
11
Feb 5, 2021
Chessman47According to this site "pairing a headphone with an impedance of 2.5-8 times higher than the source impedance should yield good results". Also quote from Singxer SA-1 topic from ASR: "the 1:8 "rule", 10ohm Z out to ~80ohm headphone impedance, 20 ohm Z out to ~160ohm impedance etc, but what it really means is 10/20ohm "or lower". Lower will work just as well, so headphone amps with output impedance of say <=1 ohm to be the most universally compatible." According to these information you can't go wrong with Low-Z whatever headphone you use. If you plan to do a direct comparison between A90 and Singxer SA-1 your feedback would be appreciated.
Chessman47
117
Feb 6, 2021
solicidiumThanks for your helpful reply. My Empyrean sounds better on the Low-Z setting, so that's how I set it. I'm glad to hear that's the correct setting. I can already tell I prefer the SA-1 over the Topping A90. With classical music, the A90 has a (very subtle) slight high-frequency edge that doesn't sound quite right. With the SA-1, I'm not hearing anything I don't like so far. My only complaint is that, to switch between low and high gain, you must power off the unit and change a set of four switches that are underneath the SA-1. This is a bit inconvenient, but not a deal-breaker. The only advantage I see for the A90 is that it has a 3-way gain switch on the front of the unit.
navbali
0
May 19, 2021
Chessman47did you pay any customs duty when you received the amp? If yes how much roughly Thanks
biff123
10
Aug 20, 2021
verifonixThose undesirable effects could be in the recording and the resolution of the a90 is revealing it to you?
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