Short answer: the Schiit Midgard. It ranks #5 of 19 headphone amplifiers by measured performance, rated 4.8/5, at $259; the Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1 ranks #10, rated 4.7/5, and costs $749, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The case for the Schiit Midgard: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 118 dB, so its noise and distortion are inaudible. The tradeoff: It costs more than the Topping A50 III, which matches its rating and measured slightly cleaner at 121 dB.
Why pick the Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 119 dB, so its noise and distortion are inaudible and the amp is effectively transparent. Watch for: It costs several times more than the JDS Labs Atom Amp 2, which matches its rating with more than twice the rated power into 32 ohms.
Buy the Schiit Midgard. It is rated higher than the Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Headphone Amps and DACs rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Schiit Midgard | Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $259.00 | $749.00 |
| Ranked | #5 of 19 in Headphone Amplifiers | #10 of 19 in Headphone Amplifiers |
| Device Type | Headphone amp | Headphone amp |
| SINAD | 118 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) | 119 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 4,800 mW (manufacturer rated) | 1,200 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 750 mW (manufacturer rated) | 250 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4-pin XLR balanced | 6.35 mm |
| Balanced Output | Yes (4-pin XLR, XLR line out) | No |
| Inputs | RCA, XLR | RCA, XLR |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR | - |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob | Hardware knob (ALPS RK27 potentiometer) |
| Dimensions | 9” x 1.5” x 6” (229 x 38 x 152 mm) | 5.5” x 2.2” x 8.3” (140 x 55 x 210 mm) |
| Weight | 2 lbs (907 g) | 1.9 lbs (850 g) |
Related Amp and DAC Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Schiit Midgard:
- Schiit Midgard vs Topping A30 Pro
- Schiit Midgard vs Topping A50 III
- Schiit Midgard vs Topping A70 Pro
- Schiit Midgard vs Topping A90 Discrete
- Schiit Midgard vs SMSL VMV P2
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
Schiit Midgard: $259.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 118 dB, so its noise and distortion are inaudible. A rated 4.8 W into 32 ohms and 750 mW into 300 ohms is enough for nearly any headphone. It offers 6.35 mm and 4 pin XLR balanced outputs, RCA and XLR inputs, and passes the signal through to RCA and XLR outputs.
Cons: It costs more than the Topping A50 III, which matches its rating and measured slightly cleaner at 121 dB. It has no 4.4 mm balanced jack, so many portable balanced cables need an adapter. It is an amp only and needs a separate DAC.
Full Schiit Midgard review and specifications →
| Balanced Output | Yes (4-pin XLR, XLR line out) |
|---|---|
| Device Type | Headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 9” x 1.5” x 6” (229 x 38 x 152 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4-pin XLR balanced |
| Inputs | RCA, XLR |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 750 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 4,800 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR |
| SINAD | 118 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob |
| Weight | 2 lbs (907 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1: $749.00 Tom Christiansen Audio eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 119 dB, so its noise and distortion are inaudible and the amp is effectively transparent. A rated 1,200 mW into 32 ohms handles most planar magnetic headphones, with 250 mW into 300 ohms for high impedance dynamic models. It accepts both RCA and XLR inputs and uses a simple ALPS analog volume knob.
Cons: It costs several times more than the JDS Labs Atom Amp 2, which matches its rating with more than twice the rated power into 32 ohms. The only headphone output is a single 6.35 mm jack, so balanced headphone cables are not supported.
Full Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1 review and specifications →
| Balanced Output | No |
|---|---|
| Device Type | Headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 5.5” x 2.2” x 8.3” (140 x 55 x 210 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm |
| Inputs | RCA, XLR |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 250 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 1,200 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| SINAD | 119 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob (ALPS RK27 potentiometer) |
| Weight | 1.9 lbs (850 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1 vs Violectric HPA V550 PRO
- Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1 vs Soncoz SGA1
- Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1 vs SMSL VMV P2
- Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1 vs Little Labs Monotor
- Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1 vs Rupert Neve Designs RNHP
- Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1 vs Topping A90 Discrete
- Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1 vs Topping A70 Pro
- Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1 vs Topping A30 Pro