Short answer: the Schiit Midgard. Both are rated 4.8/5 (#5 and #4 of 19 headphone amplifiers), and the Schiit Midgard costs $259 against $599 for the Topping A90 Discrete, so with nothing between them on measured performance, price settles it.
Why pick the Schiit Midgard: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 118 dB, so its noise and distortion are inaudible. Watch for: It costs more than the Topping A50 III, which matches its rating and measured slightly cleaner at 121 dB.
The case for the Topping A90 Discrete: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 119 dB, so its noise and distortion are inaudible. The catch: It is a headphone amp only, so it needs a separate DAC.
Buy the Schiit Midgard. Both are rated the same, and it costs $340 less than the Topping A90 Discrete.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphone Amps and DACs rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Schiit Midgard | Topping A90 Discrete | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $259.00 | $599.00 |
| Ranked | #5 of 19 in Headphone Amplifiers | #4 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) | 6,700 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 750 mW (manufacturer rated) | 1,000 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4-pin XLR balanced | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced |
| Balanced Output | Yes (4-pin XLR, XLR line out) | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR) |
| Inputs | RCA, XLR | RCA, XLR |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR | RCA, XLR (preamp) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob | Hardware knob (relay R2R) and remote |
| Dimensions | 9” x 1.5” x 6” (229 x 38 x 152 mm) | 8.7” x 1.8” x 6.3” (222 x 45 x 160 mm) |
| Weight | 2 lbs (907 g) | - |
Related Amp and DAC Comparisons
More top alternatives to Topping A90 Discrete:
- Topping A30 Pro vs Topping A90 Discrete
- Topping A70 Pro vs Topping A90 Discrete
- SMSL VMV P2 vs Topping A90 Discrete
- Topping A90 Discrete vs Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1
- Topping A90 Discrete vs Violectric HPA V550 PRO
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
Topping A90 Discrete: $599.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 119 dB, so its noise and distortion are inaudible. A rated 6,700 mW into 32 ohms and 1,000 mW into 300 ohms from the balanced outputs is enough for nearly any headphone. It offers 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm and 4-pin XLR outputs, a relay volume control with remote, and RCA and XLR preamp outputs for powered speakers.
Cons: It is a headphone amp only, so it needs a separate DAC. The Topping A50 III rates the same and measures slightly cleaner at 121 dB for far less. The Topping A70 Pro rates the same with more rated power for less.
Full Topping A90 Discrete review and specifications →
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR) |
|---|---|
| Device Type | Headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 1.8” x 6.3” (222 x 45 x 160 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced |
| Inputs | RCA, XLR |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 1,000 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 6,700 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR (preamp) |
| SINAD | 119 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob (relay R2R) and remote |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Topping A90 Discrete vs Topping A70 Pro
- Topping A90 Discrete vs SMSL VMV P2
- Topping A90 Discrete vs Topping A30 Pro
- Topping A90 Discrete vs Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1
- Topping A90 Discrete vs Violectric HPA V550 PRO
- Topping A90 Discrete vs Soncoz SGA1
- Topping A90 Discrete vs Little Labs Monotor
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