Topping E30 II + L30 II Review

On this page, we’re checking out the Topping L30 II Desktop Amplifier.

Topping L30 II Desktop Amplifier

The Topping L30 II’s dedicated webpage can be found here. It costs $149 USD.

Specs & Highlights are as follows;

  • Improved NFCA Amplifier Circuitry
  • Superbly Low THD & Superbly High DNR
  • Superbly Low Noise Floor
  • 3.500mW into 16Ω Load
  • 560 mW into 32Ω Load
  • Output Impedance <0.1Ω
  • RCA Inputs & Outputs
  • HPA & PRE Modes
  • L/M/H Gain

Packaging & Accessories

Unlike the E30 II, the L30 II comes in Topping’s traditional cardboard box packaging. However, the color of the box is not white as usual, but black. The box design is quite simple. There are no product details or specifications listed anywhere on the package. Opening the box grants you access to the foam compartment that protects the device from damage during transportation. The unit is neatly packed as usual.

Inside the box is a 6.35mm to 3.5mm converter and a 15V power adapter, which is shipped according to the region you choose when purchasing the product. Apart from a brochure advertising Topping’s products and a user manual for the L30 II, there are no other accessories. The included power adapter is quite large and heavy. It also blocks other plugs if you use an angled extension cord. The adapter’s cable is 1.5 meters long and it is, in my opinion, short.

Design & Build Quality

The L30 II shares almost the same form and factor as the E30 II. Naturally, it is the perfect companion for the E30 II DAC. They can be stacked on top of each other as a combo stack, and together, they occupy very small space on a desk. Like the E30 II, the L30 II is available in a total of 4 color options. These colors are red, blue, silver, and black. All colors have the same metallic finish and look very nice.

In addition to this, the volume pot on the front panel has a frame in a color that matches the chassis of the device, which is a nice detail. The build quality of the amp is very good, as we would expect from Topping. There are no imperfections or assembly issues on or around the chassis.

As for the layout of the amp, we see two traditional lever switches on the front. The one on the far left allows you to switch between PRE or HPA modes. This lever also turns on the power, so if you select any mode, the amp turns on. There is another lever switch just to the right of this lever and this switch allows you to adjust the gain setting of the amp. There is also a power status LED, a volume pot, and a 6.35mm single-ended output on the front panel. The layout is simple and straightforward. You won’t be needing the user manual for this unit.

On the rear panel of the unit, there are the single-ended RCA inputs and outputs along with the barrel power socket. Similar to the E30 II, the build quality of the L30 II is impressive and it is built to last. The aluminum chassis is robust and the sockets seem durable. There are 4 rubber feet under both of the devices, helping them to stay put on the desk and resist cable drag.

Technology & Power

The E30 II has a very high output power for its size and can deliver 3.5W into a 16Ω load and an incredible 560mW into a 300Ω load. Topping seems to keep improving its NFCA (Nested Feedback Composite Amplifier) design and these figures are hard to believe and truly breathtaking compared to 2 years ago. The L30 II has a very, very low THD of <0.00006 and the output impedance is practically non-existent at 0.1 ohms.

By not using a switched-mode power supply, but rather powering it via an adapter, the L30 II outperforms the competition in terms of noise, reaching an impressively low 0.3uV. With so many amps on the market using complex power schemes and expensive components, achieving this figure at this price bracket is a feat that can only be achieved through clever engineering. Compared to the previous generation L30, the L30 II can deliver about 3 times more power to a 300-ohm load. What’s really impressive is that it does all this while delivering a dynamic range approaching 140 dB.

In total, the L30 II has 3 gain modes; low, medium, and high. The gain details of the device, which can be used as both a preamp and headphone amplifier, are as follows; L: -14dB, M: OdB, H: +16.5dB. Honestly, it would not be wrong to say that an amplifier that can deliver 560 mW at 300 ohms can easily drive every headphone on the market right now. In addition, based on the specification data (and my good old ears), it is one of the most impressive amplifiers ever designed around this price bracket. Hats off, Topping, hats off!

AMP Performance

My past experience with amplifiers using NFCA technology has been very positive. Amplifiers have come a long way from a year ago and I’m very happy with the technological leap forward led by companies like Topping. The L30 II sounds very neutral to my ears and does exactly what it’s supposed to do. It amplifies the sound signature of your source, IEMs or HPs without saturating, distorting, or altering it. It does a very good job of conveying the signature of your equipment to you. It has plenty of power to feed every headphone in my inventory.

When I hooked up the Fiio K9 Pro to the L30 II using the pure DAC mode, I got almost the same performance as the impressive integrated amplifier used by the K9. Honestly, there is nothing much to say. It also performs very well with monitors using multi-BA configurations with low impedance values. With the 8-ohm Yanyin Canon, the channel balance at the low gain setting is quite satisfactory. Overall, this is an excellent amplifier that does exactly what an high fidelity focused amplifier is supposed to do.

The review continues on Page Three, after the click HERE or by using the jump below.

Page 1: Topping E30 II Desktop DAC, Packaging & Accessories, Design & Build Quality, Controls & UI, DAC Performance

Page 3: Topping E30 II & L30 II DAC & AMP Stack Performance, Comparison, Last Words

4.5/5 - (279 votes)
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Long time Tech Enthusiast, an ambitious petrol-head, Yagiz likes his gadgets and always finds new ways into the tinkerer's world. He tries to improve anything and everything he gets his hands onto. Loves an occasional shine on the rocks.

4 Comments

  • Reply December 24, 2022

    Tony Yan

    Hi, May I know your thoughts on edition xs performance on k7 comparing with on l30ii and e30ii stack? I’ve heard that although topping has very high performance on technical aspect, they don’t sound pleasant and rather more lifeless and analytical. Since e30ii uses the same dac chip as k7, I would really like to know which one should I choose for edition xs. Thank u for response.

    • Reply December 26, 2022

      Yagiz

      Hello Tony,

      If you have a balanced cable, go for the K7.
      If you don’t, you’re better off with the E stack. Topping doesn’t sound lifeless, people’s poor choice of headphones do.

  • Reply January 5, 2023

    Balakrishna Narasimhan

    Hi Tony, how does this stack compare to the iFi Zen v2? I use it with the Sundaras and am quite happy with the sound but would like more air and spaciousness.

  • Reply April 14, 2023

    Anderson

    Excellent review. The E30-II is a really linear, true-to-reproduction DAC. I was comparing it to another DAC I have and it was making music uninteresting because it was overly crisp, revealing or something like that. Then I realized that this was happening with high resolution files in Qobuz above 24bit-96kHz. When I switched to the normal 16bit-44kHz, the musicality came back, detailed but pleasant sound. Very clear with “Tommy” by The Who.

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