Short answer: the Rupert Neve Designs RNHP. Both are rated 3.2/5 (#15 and #16 of 19 headphone amplifiers), and the Rupert Neve Designs RNHP costs $699 against $4,320 for the Chord Alto, so with nothing between them on measured performance, price settles it.
Why pick the Chord Alto: Chord rates it at 2,100 mW into 32 ohms and 281 mW into 300 ohms, enough for most planar magnetic headphones and high impedance models alike. Watch for: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of only 85 dB, a real audible weakness, especially with sensitive headphones.
Why pick the Rupert Neve Designs RNHP: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 101 dB, clean enough for nearly all listening. The catch: Rupert Neve Designs does not publish a power figure into 32 ohms, so its ability to drive demanding headphones is unknown.
Buy the Rupert Neve Designs RNHP. Both are rated the same, and it costs $3,621 less than the Chord Alto.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphone Amps and DACs rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Chord Alto | Rupert Neve Designs RNHP | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,320.00 | $699.00 |
| Ranked | #16 of 19 in Headphone Amplifiers | #15 of 19 in Headphone Amplifiers |
| Device Type | Headphone amp | Headphone amp |
| SINAD | 85 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) | 101 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 2,100 mW (manufacturer rated) | - |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 281 mW (manufacturer rated) | - |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced | - |
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR line out) | - |
| Inputs | RCA, XLR, 4.4 mm balanced | XLR/TRS combo, RCA, 3.5 mm |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR | - |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob | Hardware knob |
| Dimensions | 7.9” x 1.8” x 8.5” (200 x 44.5 x 215 mm) | 6.5” x 1.9” x 4.6” (165 x 48 x 117 mm) |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) | 2 lbs (900 g) |
Related Amp and DAC Comparisons
How Rupert Neve Designs RNHP compares with other leading options:
- Topping A70 Pro vs Rupert Neve Designs RNHP
- Topping A90 Discrete vs Rupert Neve Designs RNHP
- Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1 vs Rupert Neve Designs RNHP
- Soncoz SGA1 vs Rupert Neve Designs RNHP
- Little Labs Monotor vs Rupert Neve Designs RNHP
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Amps and DACs In Full
Chord Alto: $4,320.00 Headphones.com eBay
Pros: Chord rates it at 2,100 mW into 32 ohms and 281 mW into 300 ohms, enough for most planar magnetic headphones and high impedance models alike. It has 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced and 4-pin XLR balanced headphone outputs, plus RCA, XLR and 4.4 mm inputs and RCA and XLR outputs for use as a preamp.
Cons: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of only 85 dB, a real audible weakness, especially with sensitive headphones. It costs far more than the Sennheiser HDV 820, which rates higher and measured much cleaner, and its inputs are all analog, so you need a separate DAC for digital sources.
Full Chord Alto review and specifications →
| Released | 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR line out) |
| Device Type | Headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 7.9” x 1.8” x 8.5” (200 x 44.5 x 215 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced |
| Inputs | RCA, XLR, 4.4 mm balanced |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 281 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 2,100 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR |
| SINAD | 85 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Rupert Neve Designs RNHP: $699.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 101 dB, clean enough for nearly all listening. It accepts an XLR/TRS combo input, RCA and 3.5 mm sources, making it easy to connect studio or home gear.
Cons: Rupert Neve Designs does not publish a power figure into 32 ohms, so its ability to drive demanding headphones is unknown. There is no balanced headphone output listed. The Topping L50 rates much higher, measures cleaner and is rated for 2,800 mW into 32 ohms for far less.
Full Rupert Neve Designs RNHP review and specifications →
| Device Type | Headphone amp |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6.5” x 1.9” x 4.6” (165 x 48 x 117 mm) |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo, RCA, 3.5 mm |
| SINAD | 101 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob |
| Weight | 2 lbs (900 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Rupert Neve Designs RNHP vs Little Labs Monotor
- Rupert Neve Designs RNHP vs Fosi Audio SK01
- Rupert Neve Designs RNHP vs HeadAmp Gilmore Lite Mk2
- Rupert Neve Designs RNHP vs Soncoz SGA1
- Rupert Neve Designs RNHP vs Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1
- Rupert Neve Designs RNHP vs Topping A90 Discrete
- Rupert Neve Designs RNHP vs Topping A70 Pro