Short answer: the D&A Alpha. Both are rated 4.9/5 (#2 and #5 of 43 DAC and headphone amp combos), and the D&A Alpha costs $399 against $699 for the D&A Alpha Pro, so with nothing between them on measured performance, price settles it.
What the D&A Alpha does well: Audio Science Review measured 122 dB SINAD, so its noise and distortion are transparent. The catch: It is a large, heavy desktop box at 3.6 lbs (1,650 g), so it is no fit for a cramped desk or travel.
The case for the D&A Alpha Pro: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 121 dB, so its noise and distortion are inaudible. The catch: It costs far more than the Topping DX1 II, which rates the same and measures the same 121 dB SINAD.
Buy the D&A Alpha. Both are rated the same, and it costs $300 less than the D&A Alpha Pro.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphone Amps and DACs rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| D&A Alpha | D&A Alpha Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $699.00 |
| Ranked | #2 of 43 in DAC and Headphone Amp Combos | #5 of 43 in DAC and Headphone Amp Combos |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp | DAC and headphone amp |
| SINAD | 122 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) | 121 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 9,000 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) | 6,000 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 1,100 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) | 700 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced |
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm, XLR line out) | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR line out) |
| Inputs | USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth | USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth, RCA |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR | RCA, XLR |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC |
| DAC Chip | 2 x ES9039Q2M | ES9039MSPRO |
| Volume Control | Analog volume IC (NJU72315) | Hardware knob |
| Dimensions | 7.7” x 2.2” x 8.2” (195 x 55 x 208 mm) | 8.9” x 2.2” x 7.8” (225 x 55 x 199.3 mm) |
| Weight | 3.6 lbs (1,650 g) | 3.9 lbs (1,760 g) |
Related Amp and DAC Comparisons
How D&A Alpha compares with other leading options:
- D&A Alpha vs SMSL DO400
- D&A Alpha vs SMSL RAW-MDA1
- D&A Alpha vs Topping DX5 II
- D&A Alpha vs Topping G5
- D&A Alpha vs JDS Labs Element IV
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
D&A Alpha: $399.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured 122 dB SINAD, so its noise and distortion are transparent. A rated 9 W balanced into 32 ohms and 1.1 W into 300 ohms is enough for nearly any headphone, planar magnetics included, and it adds optical, coaxial and LDAC Bluetooth inputs with XLR line outputs for powered speakers. It matches the rating of the SMSL DO400 for less.
Cons: It is a large, heavy desktop box at 1,650 g, so it is no fit for a cramped desk or travel. The Topping DX5 II rates the same with similarly huge balanced power for less, and the 9 W figure applies only to the 4.4 mm balanced output.
Full D&A Alpha review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2026 (9 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm, XLR line out) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC |
| DAC Chip | 2 x ES9039Q2M |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 7.7” x 2.2” x 8.2” (195 x 55 x 208 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced |
| Inputs | USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 1,100 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 9,000 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR |
| SINAD | 122 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Analog volume IC (NJU72315) |
| Weight | 3.6 lbs (1,650 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
D&A Alpha Pro: $699.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 121 dB, so its noise and distortion are inaudible. A rated 6,000 mW into 32 ohms and 700 mW into 300 ohms will drive nearly any headphone, including demanding planars, through 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced or 4-pin XLR outputs. It doubles as a full desktop hub with USB, optical, coaxial, RCA and Bluetooth inputs (LDAC, aptX HD, AAC) plus RCA and XLR outputs.
Cons: It costs far more than the Topping DX1 II, which rates the same and measures the same 121 dB SINAD. The SMSL DO400 also matches its rating for less while measuring slightly cleaner. At 1,760 g and 225 mm wide, it needs real desk space.
Full D&A Alpha Pro review and specifications →
| Released | May 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR line out) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC |
| DAC Chip | ES9039MSPRO |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 8.9” x 2.2” x 7.8” (225 x 55 x 199.3 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced |
| Inputs | USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth, RCA |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 700 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 6,000 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR |
| SINAD | 121 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob |
| Weight | 3.9 lbs (1,760 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons