Short answer: the Topping A70 Pro. Both are rated 4.8/5 (#3 and #6 of 19 headphone amplifiers), and the Topping A70 Pro costs $499 against $999 for the SMSL VMV P2, with the ratings tied, the lower price decides it.
The case for the SMSL VMV P2: 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 A70 Pro does well: Audio Science Review measured 121 dB SINAD, so its noise and distortion are transparent. The tradeoff: It is a headphone amp only, so it needs a separate DAC.
Buy the Topping A70 Pro. Both are rated the same, and it costs $500 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 A70 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999.00 | $499.00 |
| Ranked | #6 of 19 in Headphone Amplifiers | #3 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) | 12,600 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 700 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) | 1,370 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced |
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR pre out) | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR line out) |
| Inputs | RCA, XLR | RCA, XLR/6.35 mm TRS combo |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR | RCA, XLR |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob | Hardware knob |
| Dimensions | 11” x 2” x 9.3” (280 x 51 x 235.7 mm) | 8.7” x 1.9” x 6.9” (222 x 48 x 176 mm) |
| Weight | 7.2 lbs (3.25 kg) | 2.8 lbs (1,270 g) |
Related Amp and DAC Comparisons
How Topping A70 Pro compares with other leading options:
- Topping A30 Pro vs Topping A70 Pro
- Topping A50 III vs Topping A70 Pro
- Topping A70 Pro vs Topping A90 Discrete
- Schiit Midgard vs Topping A70 Pro
- Topping A70 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 A70 Pro: $499.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured 121 dB SINAD, so its noise and distortion are transparent. A rated 12.6 W balanced into 32 ohms and 1.37 W into 300 ohms is enough for nearly any headphone, through 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm and 4-pin XLR outputs, and it has XLR and RCA preamp outputs for powered speakers.
Cons: It is a headphone amp only, so it needs a separate DAC. The Topping A50 III matches its rating and SINAD for far less, with power that is still plenty for planar magnetics.
Full Topping A70 Pro review and specifications →
| Released | May 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR line out) |
| Device Type | Headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 1.9” x 6.9” (222 x 48 x 176 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced |
| Inputs | RCA, XLR/6.35 mm TRS combo |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 1,370 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 12,600 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR |
| SINAD | 121 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob |
| Weight | 2.8 lbs (1,270 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Topping A70 Pro vs Topping A50 III
- Topping A70 Pro vs Topping A90 Discrete
- Topping A70 Pro vs Schiit Midgard
- Topping A70 Pro vs Topping A30 Pro
- Topping A70 Pro vs Topping L30
- Topping A70 Pro vs Topping L50
- Topping A70 Pro vs JDS Labs Atom Amp 2
- Topping A70 Pro vs Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1
- See all 12 comparisons