Short answer: the Topping A30 Pro. Both are rated 4.8/5 (#1 and #4 of 19 headphone amplifiers), and the Topping A30 Pro costs $349.99 against $599 for the Topping A90 Discrete, with the ratings tied, the lower price decides it.
Why pick the Topping A30 Pro: Audio Science Review measured 121 dB SINAD, so its noise and distortion are inaudible. Watch for: It is an analog only amp with no USB or other digital input, so you need a separate DAC.
Why pick the Topping A90 Discrete: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 119 dB, so its noise and distortion are inaudible. The tradeoff: It is a headphone amp only, so it needs a separate DAC.
Buy the Topping A30 Pro. Both are rated the same, and it costs $249.01 less than the Topping A90 Discrete.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphone Amps and DACs rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Topping A30 Pro | Topping A90 Discrete | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.99 | $599.00 |
| Ranked | #1 of 19 in Headphone Amplifiers | #4 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) | 6,700 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 840 mW (manufacturer rated) | 1,000 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4-pin XLR, 4.4 mm | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced |
| Balanced Output | Yes (4-pin XLR, 4.4 mm) | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR) |
| Inputs | RCA, XLR | RCA, XLR |
| Outputs | RCA pass-through, 6.35 mm TRS pass-through | RCA, XLR (preamp) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob | Hardware knob (relay R2R) and remote |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 1.8” x 5.4” (174 x 45 x 138 mm) | 8.7” x 1.8” x 6.3” (222 x 45 x 160 mm) |
| Weight | 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
- Schiit Midgard vs Topping A30 Pro
- SMSL VMV P2 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
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 Schiit Midgard
- Topping A30 Pro vs SMSL VMV P2
- 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
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 Schiit Midgard
- Topping A90 Discrete vs Topping A70 Pro
- Topping A90 Discrete vs SMSL VMV P2
- 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
- Topping A90 Discrete vs Rupert Neve Designs RNHP
- See all 9 comparisons