Short answer: the Little Labs Monotor. It ranks #14 of 19 headphone amplifiers by measured performance, rated 3.6/5, at $580; the Chord Alto ranks #16, rated 3.2/5, and costs $4,320, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The Little Labs Monotor is the better-sounding choice. Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 109 dB, clean for nearly all listening. The catch: Little Labs doesn’t publish a power figure into 32 ohms, and there are no balanced headphone outputs.
What the Chord Alto does well: 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.
Buy the Little Labs Monotor. It is rated higher than the Chord Alto and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphone Amps and DACs rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Little Labs Monotor | Chord Alto | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $580.00 | $4,320.00 |
| Ranked | #14 of 19 in Headphone Amplifiers | #16 of 19 in Headphone Amplifiers |
| Device Type | Headphone amp | Headphone amp |
| SINAD | 109 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) | 85 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Headphone Outputs | 2 x 6.35 mm, 2 x 3.5 mm | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced |
| Balanced Output | No | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR line out) |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo, TRS, 3.5 mm aux | RCA, XLR, 4.4 mm balanced |
| Volume Control | Stepped attenuator knob | Hardware knob |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | - | 2,100 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | - | 281 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Outputs | - | RCA, XLR |
| Dimensions | - | 7.9” x 1.8” x 8.5” (200 x 44.5 x 215 mm) |
| Weight | - | 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) |
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- Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1 vs Little Labs Monotor
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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
Little Labs Monotor: $580.00 Sweetwater eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 109 dB, clean for nearly all listening. It has two 6.35 mm and two 3.5 mm headphone outputs, XLR/TRS combo, TRS and 3.5 mm inputs, and a stepped attenuator for precise volume matching.
Cons: Little Labs doesn’t publish a power figure into 32 ohms, and there are no balanced headphone outputs. The JDS Labs Atom Amp 2 rates higher, measured cleaner and is rated at 2,650 mW into 32 ohms for far less.
Full Little Labs Monotor review and specifications →
| Balanced Output | No |
|---|---|
| Device Type | Headphone amp |
| Headphone Outputs | 2 x 6.35 mm, 2 x 3.5 mm |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo, TRS, 3.5 mm aux |
| SINAD | 109 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Stepped attenuator knob |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Little Labs Monotor vs Benchmark HPA4
- Little Labs Monotor vs Rupert Neve Designs RNHP
- Little Labs Monotor vs Soncoz SGA1
- Little Labs Monotor vs Fosi Audio SK01
- Little Labs Monotor vs HeadAmp Gilmore Lite Mk2
- Little Labs Monotor vs Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1
- Little Labs Monotor vs Topping A90 Discrete
- Little Labs Monotor vs Topping A70 Pro
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