Here are some brief impressions of TPA 3116 vs the line up of t-amps. I used the Pioneer BS22 speakers and the modded PSI which is a very affordable system that punches above it's weight class. The $50 preamp added some nice tube warmth and gain to the mix. The Lepai would have been in the line up but I gave it to a friend who thinks it hung the moon.
The Topping's low power gave it a disadvantage with the Pioneers. Unlike the others it would not play very loud even at 3/4 volume. Hank Crawford's sax came off shrill and the bass was lacking and ill defined compared to the 3116.
The Dayton produced more bass than the Topping but what it made, was not as smooth or defined. Highs were ragged compared to the 3116. I found the Dayton more fatiguing than the other amps. The tone of the Topping seemed richer than the Dayton and with more efficient speakers it may have finished higher.
I expected the Sure TK2050 with it's larger fan cooled board and huge Meanwell PS to out muscle the others but that was not the case. The 3116 with it's wimpy lap top 12V PS was ever bit it's equal and perhaps a tad more. The Sure bested the Dayton and Topping with it's usable power. The Sure's bass was good but not quite up to that of 3116. Hank Crawford's sax again sounded shrill compared to the smoother 3116.
While Michael Carvin's trumpet sounded brilliant on the 3116, it leaned towards bright on the Sure and Topping and all the way to piercing with the Dayton.
Ranking the amps in order of over all performance worst to best: Dayton, Topping, Sure and 3116. The Dayton, Topping and Sure/Meanwell all cost around $100 at the time of purchase yet the $15 3116 IMO is the clear winner.
I know the Pioneer BS22's get much love on AK and on AC but let me say there's something to be said for the lowly Dayton B652 that sells for less than half the price. Compared to the Pioneers the Daytons have cardboard thin cabinets yet they are so nimble and quick on their feet. The Pioneer is a 5 series BMW while the Dayton is a Mazda 3. One is more solid sounding but the other puts air under each note ( OB like? ). I have both and love them both.
We should be thankful we live in the age of incredibly affordable high fidelity.