classes

A sweet-sounding USB digital amplifier for headphones and speakers

The nice folks at Parts Express sent over an amazing-sounding little amplifier, the $129 Topping TP30. It's a tiny desktop Class T amp design, with one analog RCA stereo input and one USB connection (the TP30 has a built-in digital-to-analog converter). The amp delivers 15 watts per channel to 4 ohm-rated speakers (10 watts into 8 ohms), and has a 3.5 mm headphone jack on the front panel.

With its extruded aluminum chassis, 8mm thick, CNC-machined front panel, and solid-metal volume control knob the TP30 wouldn't look out of place in a high-end system. It even feels expensive, but I have just one nitpick: the illuminated blue LED ring surrounding the volume control knob is too bright. I wish there was a way to dim it or turn it off. The amp measures a tidy 4.13 inches by 1.77 inches by 8.07 inches.

The USB interface utilizes standard Windows audio class 1 drivers (it worked fine with my Mac mini). Internal parts quality is superb; the TP30 boasts Elna capacitors, Dale resistors, and an ALPS volume control. The Burr-Brown USB digital-to analog converter chip accepts up to 48 kHz sampling rates with 16-bit resolution.

I compared the sound of the TP30 with my Audioengine N22 amp ($199), and they're both pretty good. The N22 has a fuller, warmer tonal balance, but the TP30 has a more immediate, detailed sound with more tightly controlled bass. I used my Audioengine P4 speakers for all of my speaker-based listening tests. It's interesting, the TP30 is a digital amp and takes digital signals "straight-in" via its USB port; the N22 is analog-only and is a more traditional Class A/B amplifier design. It sounded softer, and a wee bit less defined than the TP30.… Read more

Sony sued for PlayStation Network data breach

Like clockwork, the first lawsuit resulting from the security breach of the personal data of more than 75 million Sony PlayStation Network customers has been filed.

The suit was filed today on behalf of Kristopher Johns, 36, of Birmingham, Ala., in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Johns accuses Sony of not taking "reasonable care to protect, encrypt, and secure the private and sensitive data of its users."

He also believes Sony took too long to notify him and other customers that their personal information had been exposed. Because of that, the complaint … Read more

Mercedes to show luxury compact concept in NY

Mercedes will show a more sporty and aggressively styled A-Class concept at the New York International Auto Show later this month. The carmaker says it used wind, waves, and aviation engineering as the design inspiration for what will likely be the next generation A-Class.

Images of the luxury compact show a complete design overhaul compared with the existing A-Class hatchbacks tooling around Europe. Sharp lines flow throughout the exterior, accentuating the vehicle's deep curves and edges. Featuring an elongated hood and redesigned headlamps, grill and fenders, the new body lines and structure almost tricks the viewer into thinking the … Read more

Mercedes issues recall over sticking cruise control

Mercedes voluntarily issued a recall for 2000-2002 M-Class and 2000-2004 M-Class AMG vehicles due to a faulty brake lamp switch that could affect drivers' ability to disengage cruise control.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration investigated Mercedes in September 2010 in response to a driver's complaint about the M-Class's faulty cruise control. The safety organization found that brake lamp switch failures could potentially affect the system under certain braking circumstances.

In some M-class SUVs, drivers can disengage the vehicle cruise control system using the cruise control stalk, or by braking quickly with either significant force or by … Read more

2011 Geneva auto show: 2012 Mercedes C Class Coupe

More than just a two-door, long roof version of the C Class sedan, the new Coupe is positioned well upscale and echoes the former CLK. Brian Cooley finds it's a looker, and will usher in improved cabin tech for the lower end of the M-B line.

(CNET's full coverage of the 2011 Geneva auto show)

Check out the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe

Mercedes-Benz today offered up a first look at the slightly redesigned 2012 C-Class Coupe. The sporty, new, two-door C-Class will debut at the 2011 Geneva auto show.

The front view of the coupe features a prominent radiator grille, a short front overhang, a long hood and a long sloping roof.

The C-Class Coupe offers two direct-injection engine options. The C250 trim comes with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, offering 201 hp and 229 pound-feet of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 in 7.1 seconds and averages a combined 24 mpg (estimated).

The C350 trim features BlueDirect injection 3.… Read more

Do we need the Internet for a revolution?

In the last two years I have read at least a dozen books that champion the Internet as the key to personal and political freedom. Scholars and academics have come to see digital communication as a near messiah in power and prescience.

However, I believe that the current revolution in Egypt should temper our faith in the Internet.

The Egyptian government has cut off the digital tools that we have come to rely on. All ISPs are shut down, cell phone service has been cut, and Al Jazeera has lost its license to broadcast within the country.

Yet the people … Read more

Microsoft sued over refunds on Windows copies

A class action lawsuit against Microsoft has been filed in Italy by a group claiming that it's too difficult to procure a refund for the copies of Windows that come bundled in new PCs.

The case, which was filed in Milan by the Associazione per i Diritti degli Utenti e Consumatori (ADUC), and picked up by The Register earlier today, points to Microsoft's end user license agreement (EULA)--as outlined in various copies of Windows--noting that once users turn their computer on and begin to use it, they are no longer able to return the software for a … Read more

Can a 2-watt amp sound better than a 200-watt amp?

Americans love power. We buy 320-horsepower Chevy Tahoes to haul the kids to soccer practice. For home theater, the magic power number for receivers is 100 watts, and it has to be a seven-channel model, even though 80 or 90 percent of home theater buyers are perfectly happy with five-channel sound.

Americans equate power with quality, but I'm here to tell you there's another way. Sure, power is cheap, and a the-more-the-merrier strategy works well enough most of the time. Let's just be clear on what amplifier power provides: it defines the upper limit of how loud … Read more