Short answer: the Topping A50 III. Both are rated 4.8/5 (#2 and #3 of 19 headphone amplifiers), and the Topping A50 III costs $199 against $499 for the Topping A70 Pro, so with nothing between them on measured performance, price settles it.
The case for the Topping A50 III: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 121 dB, so its noise and distortion are inaudible. The catch: It is an amp only, so you need a separate DAC.
Why pick the Topping A70 Pro: Audio Science Review measured 121 dB SINAD, so its noise and distortion are transparent. The catch: It is a headphone amp only, so it needs a separate DAC.
Buy the Topping A50 III. Both are rated the same, and it costs $300 less than the Topping A70 Pro.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphone Amps and DACs rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Topping A50 III | Topping A70 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.00 | $499.00 |
| Ranked | #2 of 19 in Headphone Amplifiers | #3 of 19 in Headphone Amplifiers |
| Device Type | Headphone amp | Headphone amp |
| SINAD | 121 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) | 121 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 3,500 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) | 12,600 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 760 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) | 1,370 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced |
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm) | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR line out) |
| Inputs | RCA, 6.35 mm TRS balanced | RCA, XLR/6.35 mm TRS combo |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob | Hardware knob |
| Dimensions | 4.9” x 1” x 5.5” (125 x 26 x 140 mm) | 8.7” x 1.9” x 6.9” (222 x 48 x 176 mm) |
| Outputs | - | RCA, XLR |
| Weight | - | 2.8 lbs (1,270 g) |
Related Amp and DAC Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Topping A50 III:
- Topping A30 Pro vs Topping A50 III
- Schiit Midgard vs Topping A50 III
- Topping A50 III vs Topping L30
- Topping A50 III vs Topping L50
- Topping A50 III vs JDS Labs Atom Amp 2
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 A50 III: $199.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 121 dB, so its noise and distortion are inaudible. A rated 3.5 W into 32 ohms and 760 mW into 300 ohms from its balanced output is enough for nearly any headphone. It has 6.35 mm and 4.4 mm balanced outputs and costs less than the Schiit Midgard at the same rating.
Cons: It is an amp only, so you need a separate DAC. Its balanced input uses 6.35 mm TRS rather than XLR, and there are no line outputs for passing the signal on to speakers.
Full Topping A50 III review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm) |
| Device Type | Headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 4.9” x 1” x 5.5” (125 x 26 x 140 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced |
| Inputs | RCA, 6.35 mm TRS balanced |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 760 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 3,500 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| SINAD | 121 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob |
- 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 A90 Discrete
- Topping A70 Pro vs Schiit Midgard
- Topping A70 Pro vs Topping A30 Pro
- Topping A70 Pro vs SMSL VMV P2
- 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