Short answer: the Sabaj A20d 2023. Both are rated 4.9/5 (#5 and #7 of 59 DAC and headphone amp combos), and the Sabaj A20d 2023 costs $242.99 against $299 for the Topping DX5 II, so with nothing between them on measured performance, price settles it.
What the Sabaj A20d 2023 does well: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 122 dB, so noise and distortion are inaudible and it is fully transparent. The tradeoff: It has less rated power than rivals such as the Loxjie D40 Pro, which is rated at 3,000 mW into 32 ohms for a little more.
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 Sabaj A20d 2023 lacks. The catch: 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 Sabaj A20d 2023. Both are rated the same, and it costs $56.01 less than the Topping DX5 II.
Still deciding? The full Headphone Amps and DACs rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sabaj A20d 2023 | Topping DX5 II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $242.99 | $299.00 |
| Ranked | #5 of 59 in DAC and Headphone Amp Combos | #7 of 59 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) | 1,000 mW (manufacturer rated) | 6,400 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) | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR line out) |
| Inputs | USB-C, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth 5.0 | 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 | AKM AK4499EX + AK4191EQ | 2 x ES9039Q2M |
| Dimensions | 8.3” x 2.4” x 7.9” (210 x 60 x 200 mm) | 7.5” x 1.7” x 6.1” (190 x 44 x 155 mm) |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) | 2.1 lbs (945 g) |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | - | 990 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Volume Control | - | Hardware knob |
| Equalizer | - | Yes (10-band parametric) |
Related Amp and DAC Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sabaj A20d 2023:
- SMSL RAW-MDA1 vs Topping DX5 II
- Loxjie D40 Pro vs Topping DX5 II
- Topping DX5 II vs Topping DX3 Pro+
- Topping DX5 vs Topping DX5 II
- Topping DX5 II vs Topping G5
Prices on this page were last checked October 13, 2026 at 3:17 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
Sabaj A20d 2023: $242.99 Amazon $242.99 eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 122 dB, so noise and distortion are inaudible and it is fully transparent. It is rated at 1,000 mW into 32 ohms through 6.35 mm and 4.4 mm balanced jacks, enough for most planar magnetic headphones, and takes USB-C, optical, coaxial and Bluetooth 5.0 with LDAC, aptX HD and AAC. It matches the top rating of the SMSL DO400 for less.
Cons: It has less rated power than rivals such as the Loxjie D40 Pro, which is rated at 3,000 mW into 32 ohms for a little more. At 1.5 kg it is a full size desktop unit, and there is no 4-pin XLR headphone output.
Full Sabaj A20d 2023 review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC |
| DAC Chip | AKM AK4499EX + AK4191EQ |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 8.3” x 2.4” x 7.9” (210 x 60 x 200 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced |
| Inputs | USB-C, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 1,000 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR |
| SINAD | 122 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
Topping DX5 II: $299.00 Amazon $299.00 eBay
Older model: the Topping DX5 (ranked higher, rated 4.9/5). See every Topping DX5 generation.
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