All Benchmark System Question

@yyzsantabarbara , Their loss.

Someone wanted my take on the Topping pre90 vs the HPA4. I only got the Topping pre90 today and it has only about 6 hours on it.

I must say I am impressed by this little preamp. It sounds a lot like the HPA4. That is they are both ultra quiet and I am not sure what I loose sonics wise with the pre90 over the HPA4. I do lose an RCA input and the great volume control of the HPA4. Though the Toppings volume was much better than the Topping A90 headphone amp I had at one time (and gave away).

I love the fact that the output on the pre90 has a switch to select RCA or XLR. In my situation, with my CODA 07x preamp being part of the equation and that unit not having a power switch (always on), it was too dangerous for me to setup the RCA and XLR outputs on the HPA4 (just used XLR). I do not think the HPA4 has such an output switch and if it did it is too complicated to keep track. The pre90 makes this easy with the GUI and buttons.

I did some listening to my Sony SCD-1 SACD/CD (modified) player into the Topping pre90 by XLR and then RCA into my D-Sonic M3a 800s and then into my RAAL SR1a. I am thinking this pretty amazing and something I was too afraid to do with the HPA4. The D-Sonic also has a switch to select RCA or XLR input.

The Sony SCD-1 does not have DSP done like my digital streaming. It sounds great since the room is not part of the listening experience with the RAAL SR1a headphones. I however, do use a Convolution file on my RAAL SR1a + DAC streaming and it is better, but this vintage 20 year Sony SACD/CD is one of the best ever built and still sounds killer. I will be listening a ton more to the Sony if I keep the Topping pre90.

I still need this unit to burn in more and test it with my streamers into my Thiel CS3.7 floor standers. I have 15 foot XLR cable from the preamp to the Benchmark AHB2 mono amps. It sounds very good so far but I will do some more detailed comparisons after more hours on the Topping.

Here are some reasons for me to keep the Topping pre90:
- I sold my Meze Empy headphones last week because with the way my RAAL SR1a are now setup with the Convolution from my streamers and also the analog sound today with the Sony SCD-1 the Empy was toast. I bought the HPA4 over the LA4 because of the Empy needing a headphone connection.
- the benefit of the RCA/XLR output switch on the Topping pre90.
- most importantly the pre90 sounding so much like the HPA4 so far. I am starting to love my CODA 07x as my main preamp and the HPA4 or Topping as second fiddle.

I am now playing the Benchmark DAC3B with a Convolution filter designed for the RAAL SR1a into the Topping pre90 by RCA. The output is Topping pre90 RCA to the D-Sonic amp. It sounds great, though not as great as the CODA 07x in this scenario. This time I have to give the main credit to the Convolution filter for making the Topping and DAC3B sound excellent on the RAAL SR1a.

BTW - it is almost 3AM and I am still listening to the pre90 without any complaints about the sonics. A great sign. I am tending to think I will be selling the $3000 HPA4 and go with the $600 Topping pre90.

Hi regg,

Old timer who went completely digital in 1990's with zero regret.  In my experience, a tube somewhere in the chain is essential.  The resolution of your choices begs for a great tube buffer!  Study up.  More Peace, Pin

If anyone is interested. I compared the Benchmark HPA4 vs the Topping pre90. I could not tell a difference. They sounded the same. I sold the HPA4 for almost the same price I bought it for and now use the Topping pre90 ($599).

In fact my CODA 07x has not had any play with my floor standers for almost 2 weeks since I have be using the Topping. I am really armored with the Topping. I do use the CODA 07x for my RAAL SR1a.

The Topping pre90 is like the HPA4. It gets out of the way and let’s the other components dictate the sound. I loved this unit so much that I also bought the Topping ext90 ($250) which adds 3 more XLR’s and 1 more RCA. I cannot believe this level of quality for the price.

My CODA #8 amp should be shipped soon. I am certain it will sound great with both the Topping pre90 and CODA 07x. I currently use the Benchmark AHB2 monos. They sound incredible with both preamps. If I was smarter I would not have bought the CODA #8.

BTW - the Topping pre90 does not have the amazing headphone amp as the HPA4. However, now that I only listen to the RAAL SR1a headphones the HPA4 headphone amp was never used.

@yyzsantabarbara I appreciate the you updating this thread with your latest comparison. This whole thread has really got me thinking about improving my system. I actually purchased the X26pro (got a week left on trail) and find most of it qualities vs the Dac3L favorable. I hooked both directly to amps via xlr's and feel the X26 sounds more pleasing in macro sense. But the flexibility the filters provide is fantastic at maximizing the material I'm listening to. Although I must say the Dac 3L is slightly darker to my ears which translates into perceived deeper sound stage and maybe slightly better pinpoint imaging. The Dac 3l also has analog inputs and HT Bypass. So they both have advantages but SQ is paramount so I think the Dac3L is going.

Do you know anyone who wants a Dac3L in great condition? :)
Once I sell that I might pick up the topping if you think that might give the x26 a sonic advantage direct to Mono's. I'm not clear on your thought on the x26 direct to amp verses to Pre. The reviewer you referenced didn't seem to think it would, but your motor familiar with my amps.

@regg did you receive you X26pro? what did you think?