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pinktank
11
Dec 7, 2017
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Does anyone have this nd the ad18 to compare?
Dec 7, 2017
mattris
1260
Keyboard Club Member
Dec 7, 2017
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pinktankNever owned either unit, so I can't comment on their sound quality. But as for each of their advantages... SMSL AD18: AptX (low-lantency Bluetooth), a fancier display, additional features/settings, and a smaller footprint. MX3: twice-as-powerful headphone-out; simple, orange display.
Dec 7, 2017
pinktank
11
Dec 8, 2017
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mattrisI know those differences, there is also the following, what I wanted to know about was real world use anecdotes. Thanks though. -AD18 comes with active, two-way NFC that will probably disconnect previously associated device and announce itself to the new device. Topping MX3 is literally a sticker that will just instruct connection, you're out of luck if some other device is connected at that moment. -AD18 has two optical inputs if you don't use the SW out -MX3 has RCA in and RCA summed SW out, which are altogether more straightforward -MX3 has auto on/off on digital inputs -MX3 has a better remote interface with dedicated function buttons
Dec 8, 2017
linerror
61
Dec 11, 2017
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pinktankhave both now. mx3 has a much lower rated power supply but is much cleaner at max volume than the ad18. ad18 has an equalizer presets (that i don't use). mx3 has way more headphone power. specifically upgraded to the mx3 for my desk as the ad18 was pathetic in the headphone department. ad18 is rumored to not have sub out but it does. mx3 has a cheaper feeling remote but it is better designed, the ad18 has "function" buttons that can disable the remote. mx3 display is simple with no chance for burn in.
you can also switch between headphone/both/speaker output via the remote without unplugging anything, also maintains independent volume levels.
Dec 11, 2017
pinktank
11
Dec 11, 2017
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linerrorThanks a lot for the info. I ended up getting a much larger panasonic with built in streaming functions but hope to review this sometime later
Dec 11, 2017
pinktank
11
Dec 13, 2017
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linerrorA couple more questions if you mind - Does the NFC tag work to both connect and disconnect from bluetooth? Since it is a passive tag, it wouldn't be able to disconnect other devices or let the amp know to stop broadcasting. - Do you have to manually switch to a mode (digital and bluetooth) before it is auto-on and auto-off in that mode, or does it automatically switch to it if a signal comes - How is the bluetooth reception
Thanks!
Dec 13, 2017
Veda
30
Dec 30, 2017
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pinktankListening to it now. Bluetooth is same as others like NAD D3020 in terms of distance coverage so 5 meters max before drop offs. You can activate the auto mode which is auto input select, auto off if no signal, auto dim in a package. Sound quality is lightyears better than the older Topping amps which I have about 6 of them. Better than NAD 3020. Super clean and precise. Using them with KEF R500 flooestanders right now.
Dec 30, 2017
pinktank
11
Dec 31, 2017
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VedaDoes the NFC tag work to connect and disconnect(if you have a phone with NFC). Also, regarding the auto-on auto-off: will it switch inputs, or just come on if you activate the input you left it on. Say you have coaxial and optical both, or bluetooth. You left the amp with bluetooth, it turned off after being idle for a while, will it turn on and switch to optical if you turn an optical device on?
Dec 31, 2017
Veda
30
Jan 1, 2018
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pinktankThat's correct. If it detects any signal even if different from what was on when it goes standby it will switch to that new sign input. This is way more convenient than the NAD D7050 that won't wake up using bluetooth.
Jan 1, 2018
pinktank
11
Jan 1, 2018
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Veda@Veda thanks, how about switching on a device while it already has a device on another channel, say turn on optical(tv) while listening/idle on bluetooth but not standby?
Jan 1, 2018
Veda
30
Jan 1, 2018
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pinktankI gotta check that one and get back to you.
Jan 1, 2018
pinktank
11
Jan 1, 2018
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Veda@Veda really appreciate it. I'm assuming that as with everyone else, your headphone option still outputs to the subwoofer as well. It could be a relay order issue that might depend on the order of things turned on, as in turning the amp on and off after switching outputs.
Jan 1, 2018
linerror
61
Jan 2, 2018
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pinktank-The NFC tag only connects. -You have to switch the mode and it's auto-on and off in that mode, the signal side of the MX3 is always on, so if you connect BT and hit play it will play to nothing until you switch the source. -BT reception is great.
Jan 2, 2018
RojasTKD
375
Jan 20, 2018
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linerrorCAn you explain the AD18 sub out? I have one but thought it didn't have a sub out?
I read above you mentioned something about 2nd optical out but not sure how this works.. I'm confused?
Thanks
Jan 20, 2018
pinktank
11
Jan 20, 2018
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RojasTKDYou plug a 3.5mm to dual RCA adapter to sw/coax one side is subwoofer and one side is coax. You can alternatively use that port with a mini optical
Jan 20, 2018
RojasTKD
375
Jan 20, 2018
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pinktankThanks for the quick reply,greatly appreciated!
I'll have to give it a try.
Jan 20, 2018
pinktank
11
Jan 20, 2018
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RojasTKDmono price has a mini to rca f for 3 bucks or so
Jan 20, 2018
RojasTKD
375
Jan 20, 2018
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pinktankI already 3.5mm to dual RCA cable on the way.
Jan 20, 2018
RojasTKD
375
Jan 21, 2018
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pinktankDo I need to do something special. I tried a 3.5mm to dual RCA cable I had somewhere and it didn't seem to work. ;(
Jan 21, 2018
pinktank
11
Jan 21, 2018
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RojasTKDNo, 3.5mm goes in the sw coax, red side is the subwoofer output, white side is coax input. There is a really old version of ad18 that doesn't have a sub out, but it would not say sw in the back, to the right of the port.
Jan 21, 2018
linerror
61
Jan 21, 2018
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RojasTKDthe cable i have the white/left channel is the sub out.
Jan 21, 2018
RojasTKD
375
Jan 21, 2018
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pinktankHumm, I got mint AD18 during the May 2017 drop. I assume it the new one.
I plugged both the red and white RCAs into my sub (it was a red and white inputs). Maybe that was the issue. I'll try again later and see what happens.
Jan 21, 2018
RojasTKD
375
Jan 21, 2018
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linerrorThanks, I'll try both one at a time.
Jan 21, 2018
pinktank
11
Jan 21, 2018
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RojasTKDYou are supposed to connect Red only, the sub will sum channels anyhow, it is coming in mono summed. You can look behind your ad18, make sure you are going in coax/opti1
Jan 21, 2018
RojasTKD
375
Jan 22, 2018
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pinktankYep, coax/opti1. Tried the red, nothing. Tried the white also nothing.
Either I'm find something wrong, it's defective or somehow I got the older version that doesn't offer a subwoofer out. I really don't know. 😕
Jan 22, 2018
pinktank
11
Jan 22, 2018
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RojasTKDDoes the menu have settings for screen brightness? (level) I believe that is only available in the new one.
Jan 22, 2018
RojasTKD
375
Jan 22, 2018
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pinktankNo, there doesn't seem to be a setting for screen dimming, only text color. The Manuel does specify coax/optc1 as subwoofer out. But dealing with these Chinese company's that doesn't necessarily mean anything.
I just joined the drop for the MX3. I don't really need it, but would be fun to compare as the are so similar in functionality.
Jan 22, 2018
pinktank
11
Jan 22, 2018
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RojasTKDIf you don't have dimming, I believe that makes is the old version without subout.
Jan 22, 2018
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