Short answer: the Topping A30 Pro. Both are rated 4.8/5 (#1 and #6 of 19 headphone amplifiers), and the Topping A30 Pro costs $349.99 against $999 for the SMSL VMV P2, so with nothing between them on measured performance, price settles it.
What the SMSL VMV P2 does well: Audio Science Review measured 116 dB SINAD, so its noise and distortion are inaudible. Watch for: It has only analog inputs, so you need a separate DAC to play music from a computer or phone.
What the Topping A30 Pro does well: Audio Science Review measured 121 dB SINAD, so its noise and distortion are inaudible. The catch: It is an analog only amp with no USB or other digital input, so you need a separate DAC.
Buy the Topping A30 Pro. Both are rated the same, and it costs $649.01 less than the SMSL VMV P2.
Still deciding? The full Headphone Amps and DACs rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| SMSL VMV P2 | Topping A30 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999.00 | $349.99 |
| Ranked | #6 of 19 in Headphone Amplifiers | #1 of 19 in Headphone Amplifiers |
| Device Type | Headphone amp | Headphone amp |
| SINAD | 116 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) | 121 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 6,000 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) | 5,500 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 700 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) | 840 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced | 6.35 mm, 4-pin XLR, 4.4 mm |
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR pre out) | Yes (4-pin XLR, 4.4 mm) |
| Inputs | RCA, XLR | RCA, XLR |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR | RCA pass-through, 6.35 mm TRS pass-through |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob | Hardware knob |
| Dimensions | 11” x 2” x 9.3” (280 x 51 x 235.7 mm) | 6.9” x 1.8” x 5.4” (174 x 45 x 138 mm) |
| Weight | 7.2 lbs (3.25 kg) | 1.9 lbs (870 g) |
Related Amp and DAC Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Topping A30 Pro:
- Topping A30 Pro vs Topping A50 III
- Topping A30 Pro vs Topping A70 Pro
- Topping A30 Pro vs Topping A90 Discrete
- Schiit Midgard vs Topping A30 Pro
- Topping A30 Pro vs Topping L30
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
SMSL VMV P2: $999.00 Linsoul eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured 116 dB SINAD, so its noise and distortion are inaudible. A rated 6 W balanced into 32 ohms and 700 mW into 300 ohms is enough for nearly any headphone, including demanding planar magnetic and high impedance models. It offers 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced and 4 pin XLR headphone outputs plus RCA and XLR inputs and outputs, so it can also work as a preamp.
Cons: It has only analog inputs, so you need a separate DAC to play music from a computer or phone. The Topping A50 III earns the same rating and measured cleaner for a fraction of the price, and the Topping A70 Pro publishes about twice the power for less. At 3.25 kg it is a large desktop unit.
Full SMSL VMV P2 review and specifications →
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR pre out) |
|---|---|
| Device Type | Headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 11” x 2” x 9.3” (280 x 51 x 235.7 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced |
| Inputs | RCA, XLR |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 700 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 6,000 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR |
| SINAD | 116 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob |
| Weight | 7.2 lbs (3.25 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Topping A30 Pro: $349.99 HiFiGo eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured 121 dB SINAD, so its noise and distortion are inaudible. Topping rates it at 5,500 mW into 32 ohms and 840 mW into 300 ohms, enough power for nearly any headphone, with 6.35 mm, 4-pin XLR and 4.4 mm balanced outputs plus RCA and XLR inputs. Pass-through outputs let it sit in a chain ahead of speakers.
Cons: It is an analog only amp with no USB or other digital input, so you need a separate DAC. The Topping A50 III rates the same with the same measured SINAD for less.
Full Topping A30 Pro review and specifications →
| Balanced Output | Yes (4-pin XLR, 4.4 mm) |
|---|---|
| Device Type | Headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 1.8” x 5.4” (174 x 45 x 138 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4-pin XLR, 4.4 mm |
| Inputs | RCA, XLR |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 840 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 5,500 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Outputs | RCA pass-through, 6.35 mm TRS pass-through |
| SINAD | 121 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob |
| Weight | 1.9 lbs (870 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Topping A30 Pro vs Topping A50 III
- Topping A30 Pro vs Topping A70 Pro
- Topping A30 Pro vs Topping A90 Discrete
- Topping A30 Pro vs Schiit Midgard
- Topping A30 Pro vs Topping L30
- Topping A30 Pro vs Topping L50
- Topping A30 Pro vs JDS Labs Atom Amp 2
- Topping A30 Pro vs Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1
- See all 10 comparisons