Short answer: the Topping A30 Pro. It ranks #1 of 19 headphone amplifiers by measured performance, rated 4.8/5, at $349.99; 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.
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.
What the Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1 does well: 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 Topping A30 Pro. 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.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphone Amps and DACs rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Topping A30 Pro | Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.99 | $749.00 |
| Ranked | #1 of 19 in Headphone Amplifiers | #10 of 19 in Headphone Amplifiers |
| Device Type | Headphone amp | Headphone amp |
| SINAD | 121 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) | 119 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 5,500 mW (manufacturer rated) | 1,200 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 840 mW (manufacturer rated) | 250 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4-pin XLR, 4.4 mm | 6.35 mm |
| Balanced Output | Yes (4-pin XLR, 4.4 mm) | No |
| Inputs | RCA, XLR | RCA, XLR |
| Outputs | RCA pass-through, 6.35 mm TRS pass-through | - |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob | Hardware knob (ALPS RK27 potentiometer) |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 1.8” x 5.4” (174 x 45 x 138 mm) | 5.5” x 2.2” x 8.3” (140 x 55 x 210 mm) |
| Weight | 1.9 lbs (870 g) | 1.9 lbs (850 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
- SMSL VMV P2 vs Topping A30 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
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
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 Schiit Midgard
- 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