Short answer: the Little Labs Monotor. It ranks #14 of 19 headphone amplifiers by measured performance, rated 3.6/5, at $580. The HeadAmp Gilmore Lite Mk2 ranks #18, rated 2.4/5, at $499, $81 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Little Labs Monotor is the better-sounding pick. Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 109 dB, clean for nearly all listening. The tradeoff: Little Labs doesn’t publish a power figure into 32 ohms, and there are no balanced headphone outputs.
Why pick the HeadAmp Gilmore Lite Mk2: It offers two pairs of RCA inputs, a 6.35 mm headphone jack and an RCA preamp output for feeding powered speakers, in a compact desktop chassis. Watch for: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of only 87 dB, a real audible weakness that sensitive headphones will reveal.
Buy the Little Labs Monotor. It is rated higher, and the $81 you would save on the HeadAmp Gilmore Lite Mk2 does not close the gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphone Amps and DACs rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Little Labs Monotor | HeadAmp Gilmore Lite Mk2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $580.00 | $499.00 |
| Ranked | #14 of 19 in Headphone Amplifiers | #18 of 19 in Headphone Amplifiers |
| Device Type | Headphone amp | Headphone amp |
| SINAD | 109 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) | 87 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Headphone Outputs | 2 x 6.35 mm, 2 x 3.5 mm | 6.35 mm |
| Balanced Output | No | No |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo, TRS, 3.5 mm aux | RCA (2 pairs) |
| Volume Control | Stepped attenuator knob | Hardware knob |
| Outputs | - | RCA (preamp) |
| Dimensions | - | 5.7” x 2” x 6.7” (146 x 51 x 171 mm) |
| Weight | - | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
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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 Chord Alto
- Little Labs Monotor vs Soncoz SGA1
- Little Labs Monotor vs Fosi Audio SK01
- Little Labs Monotor vs Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1
- Little Labs Monotor vs Topping A90 Discrete
- Little Labs Monotor vs Topping A70 Pro
HeadAmp Gilmore Lite Mk2: $499.00 HeadAmp eBay
Pros: It offers two pairs of RCA inputs, a 6.35 mm headphone jack and an RCA preamp output for feeding powered speakers, in a compact desktop chassis.
Cons: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of only 87 dB, a real audible weakness that sensitive headphones will reveal. HeadAmp doesn’t publish a power figure into 32 ohms, there are no balanced outputs, and the Little Labs Monotor rates higher and measured much cleaner for a similar price.
Full HeadAmp Gilmore Lite Mk2 review and specifications →
| Balanced Output | No |
|---|---|
| Device Type | Headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 5.7” x 2” x 6.7” (146 x 51 x 171 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm |
| Inputs | RCA (2 pairs) |
| Outputs | RCA (preamp) |
| SINAD | 87 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons