Topping A90 failure issues. Should I try a 3rd A90?


I purchased the Topping A90 & D90 MQA August 2020. The A90 lasted about 3 months then "blew up" with major static in one channel. I tried different headphones, connects (4 pin XLR, 4.4mm pentacon) and it was in fact the A 90. Apos exchanged the failed A90 (took a long time) and after using the 2nd A90 for less than a month, the same issue. So after 2 failed A90's I'm wondering if I try a 3rd or another headphone amp? I'm using XLR balanced (and have 2 headphones that are also balanced cables). Thanks for any counsel. 
128x128dreas
I know this chain is a bit old, but I think the same thing just started happening with my A90. Static in the right channel from all headphone outs (both balanced outs and single ended out). It seems to be certain frequencies or volume levels that are effected (e.g., I'll head the same "static" noise on each drum hit).

Tried different headphones, different cables, different outputs from the computer (USB and optical to the D90, then XLR to the A90). The RCA outs on the A90 to my speakers do not have the same issue.
@audioville I ended up getting a 3rd A90 (after considering other amps) and so far, so good. Depending on where / when you purchased the A 90, you may still have a warranty (I think it is a 1 or 2 year warranty?). I purchased the Topping "ensemble" D90 MQA & A90 from Apos. They were very slow to respond but they eventually replaced both failed units. (They don’t reveal if their online support is in China or stateside, or if stateside has to get approval from the China manufacturer so it’s odd. Their email support comes in flurries at odd times suggesting they're based overseas; it is messy and disorganized.)

I’d also check if you are using an aftermarket (Hart, Periapt, or other) balanced interconnect and/or headphone cable whether or not it "shorted" and caused the problem. This is hard to diagnose and hard to find an engineer on forums who might explain if this could even cause the issue. At some point, you stop wasting time on what happened and just replace the cables & get a new A90 and get back to music. :-) I very well may be wrong, but I am suspicious if a cable could cause a short or damage to the amp.

I hope you are able to get it replaced. When it works, I love the A90 & D90!
My first a90 got the same exact problems. I don’t use it as much, but after a few months or maybe even a year, it blew up. One of the channel, got statics problems just as described. Still within warranty, returned and exchanged for a second one. Did not used the second a90 until 3 months later. Right out of the box, power light blink red, after turned off but not right away. Than later, discover another problem. When used in high gain, music will blackout in spit second, kind of like a skip pause every 3 mins. Sometimes less sometimes more…Returned and just received my third a90. It is still in testing period. Not sure how long this will last…
I lost confident with Topping…😩

dreas
Topping A90 failure issues. Should I try a 3rd A90?


Wow! they get raved about over at Audio Science Review and get second from the top honors. I’d try a third, could have just been a bad batch of one component.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-a90-headphone-amplifier-review.13...

Cheers George
UPDATE, thanks all for comments. I did in fact receive a 3rd Topping A 90 and it has been working so far. 

Enjoy the music!