Topping A50S Review – Prodigy

Comparisons –

Topping L30 ($139): Both amps are clearly cut from the same cloth, offering a very similar presentation on both a macro and micro scale. Both are linear and accurate amps with neutral tonality. The A50s sounds a touch more linear, where the L30 sounds slightly brighter but with a smoother transient response to balance it out. To clarify, the A50s has a sharper note delivery but its treble isn’t as forward. In turn, I find the A50s to offer a more detailed sound but also a more coherent one. Whereas, the L30 is a bit more coloured in its expression. The changes are slightly larger when switching to the balanced output on the A50s. Similarly, the soundstage is improved on the A50s. The width is only a little wider, but depth is better for a more involving listen. Neither specialize in dynamics, but I would put the A50s a step above the L30 here too. Still, considering the price gap, I would point many towards the L30 if you do not have any balanced headphones/earphones, especially with its more flexible gain settings.

THX 789 ($299): THX made a lot of noise about their achromatic amplifier technology and the 789 exemplifies this with its clean tone and engaging dynamics. It is with regards to the latter that the 789 excels in relation to the A50s. While both can be considered neutral and linear, the THX amp is clearly more engaging, especially in the lower registers. Meanwhile, the A50s offers a more even-handed experience. The timbre is a little more accurate and the voicing more coherent. The A50s has a slightly cleaner sound with higher separation while the THX 789 has a bit more contrast and definition. The high-end is also a little sharper on the THX and it sounds a little more detailed, the A50s being a touch smoother here. The soundstage presentation is very similar between the two with regards to width but the 789 has noticeably more depth and more multi-dimensional imaging. Meanwhile, the A50s offers more coherent imaging and better separation.

Verdict –

Topping’s business model is a strange one. By having such strong entry-level solutions, it can be difficult to justify the higher-end one as, ultimately, it is not so much the sonic performance that is the main differentiator here, but the features and IO. The A50s then feels like a sort of awkward middle-child. It is without the true-balanced and IO rich design of the A90 yet only representing a small step up over the L30 and, in some cases, even a small step down such as the reduced gain settings and single-ended output power into high-impedance loads. The A50s is then most suitable for space-limited setups due to retaining a sensationally compact footprint despite possessing excellent build quality and strong output power. It has tactile controls, if a slightly less convenient volume knob. And the addition of balanced output, though not true-balanced, does aid versatility to some degree alongside offering subtle sonic benefits. The sound as well, is a happy middle-ground between Topping’s other A-range offerings despite being priced much closer to the cheaper L30. It brings a welcome improvement in focus and depth if still being bested in dynamics and space by larger competitors. So long as you can appreciate the step up in build and sound from the L30, the A50s remains an easy recommendation relative to competitors from other brands. Its well-rounded performance ultra clean and linear sound come at a very reasonable price.  

The A50s is available from Apos Audio (International) for $199.99 USD at the time of writing. I am not personally affiliated with Topping or Apos Audio and receive no earnings from purchases through this link.