Short answer: the Topping A70 Pro on measured measured performance, the JDS Labs Atom Amp 2 on price. The Topping A70 Pro ranks #3 of 19 headphone amplifiers, rated 4.8/5, at $499. The JDS Labs Atom Amp 2 ranks #9, rated 4.7/5, at $129, $370 cheaper.
The case for 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.
What the JDS Labs Atom Amp 2 does well: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 120 dB, so its noise and distortion are inaudible. The catch: It has no DAC, so you need a separate source.
Buy the Topping A70 Pro if measured performance matters more than the price. Buy the JDS Labs Atom Amp 2 if the price matters more than measured performance.
Still deciding? The full Headphone Amps and DACs rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Topping A70 Pro | JDS Labs Atom Amp 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.00 | $129 |
| Ranked | #3 of 19 in Headphone Amplifiers | #9 of 19 in Headphone Amplifiers |
| Device Type | Headphone amp | Headphone amp |
| SINAD | 121 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) | 120 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 12,600 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) | 2,650 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 1,370 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) | 286 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm |
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR line out) | - |
| Inputs | RCA, XLR/6.35 mm TRS combo | RCA, 3.5 mm |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR | RCA |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob | Hardware knob |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 1.9” x 6.9” (222 x 48 x 176 mm) | 5.7” x 1.3” x 5.2” (145 x 34 x 131 mm) |
| Weight | 2.8 lbs (1,270 g) | 1 lbs (454 g) |
Related Amp and DAC Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Topping A70 Pro:
- 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
- SMSL VMV P2 vs Topping A70 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 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 SMSL VMV P2
- Topping A70 Pro vs Topping L30
- Topping A70 Pro vs Topping L50
- Topping A70 Pro vs Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1
- See all 12 comparisons
JDS Labs Atom Amp 2: $129 JDS Labs eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 120 dB, so its noise and distortion are inaudible. A rated 2,650 mW into 32 ohms and 286 mW into 300 ohms drives nearly any headphone, and it offers both 6.35 mm and 4.4 mm outputs. It matches the rating of the Topping L50 for less and adds RCA preamp outputs for powered speakers.
Cons: It has no DAC, so you need a separate source. Its inputs are RCA and 3.5 mm only, with no balanced XLR input, and the Topping A50 III rates slightly higher for a bit more.
Full JDS Labs Atom Amp 2 review and specifications →
| Device Type | Headphone amp |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5.7” x 1.3” x 5.2” (145 x 34 x 131 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm |
| Inputs | RCA, 3.5 mm |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 286 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 2,650 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Outputs | RCA |
| SINAD | 120 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob |
| Weight | 1 lbs (454 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons