Short answer: the Topping DX5 II. Both are rated 4.9/5 (#4 and #2 of 43 DAC and headphone amp combos), and the Topping DX5 II costs $299 against $399 for the D&A Alpha, with the ratings tied, the lower price decides it.
The case for the D&A Alpha: Audio Science Review measured 122 dB SINAD, so its noise and distortion are transparent. The tradeoff: 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.
What the Topping DX5 II does well: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 122 dB, so its noise and distortion are inaudible. It supports aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, which the D&A Alpha lacks. The tradeoff: The Topping DX1 II shares its rating for well under half the price and still delivers about 1 W into 32 ohms, which is plenty for most headphones.
Buy the Topping DX5 II. Both are rated the same, and it costs $100 less than the D&A Alpha.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphone Amps and DACs rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| D&A Alpha | Topping DX5 II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $299.00 |
| Ranked | #2 of 43 in DAC and Headphone Amp Combos | #4 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) | 122 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 9,000 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) | 6,400 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 1,100 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) | 990 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| 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 |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR | RCA, XLR |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LDAC |
| DAC Chip | 2 x ES9039Q2M | 2 x ES9039Q2M |
| Volume Control | Analog volume IC (NJU72315) | Hardware knob |
| Dimensions | 7.7” x 2.2” x 8.2” (195 x 55 x 208 mm) | 7.5” x 1.7” x 6.1” (190 x 44 x 155 mm) |
| Weight | 3.6 lbs (1,650 g) | 2.1 lbs (945 g) |
| Equalizer | - | Yes (10-band parametric) |
Related Amp and DAC Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for D&A Alpha:
- D&A Alpha vs SMSL DO400
- D&A Alpha vs SMSL RAW-MDA1
- D&A Alpha vs D&A Alpha Pro
- 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
Topping DX5 II: $299.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 122 dB, so its noise and distortion are inaudible. A rated 6.4 W into 32 ohms and 990 mW into 300 ohms is enough for nearly any headphone, through 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm and 4 pin XLR outputs. It adds a 10 band parametric EQ, Bluetooth with LDAC and aptX Adaptive, and RCA and XLR line outputs, matching the rating of the SMSL DO400 for less.
Cons: The Topping DX1 II shares its rating for well under half the price and still delivers about 1 W into 32 ohms, which is plenty for most headphones. Its full size chassis takes more desk space than compact all in ones.
Full Topping DX5 II review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR line out) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LDAC |
| DAC Chip | 2 x ES9039Q2M |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 7.5” x 1.7” x 6.1” (190 x 44 x 155 mm) |
| Equalizer | Yes (10-band parametric) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced |
| Inputs | USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 990 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 6,400 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR |
| SINAD | 122 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (945 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons