Short answer: the Topping A70 Pro. It ranks #3 of 19 headphone amplifiers by measured performance, rated 4.8/5, at $499; the Little Labs Monotor ranks #14, rated 3.6/5, and costs $580, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Topping A70 Pro is the better-sounding choice. 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 Little Labs Monotor does well: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 109 dB, clean for nearly all listening. The tradeoff: Little Labs doesn’t publish a power figure into 32 ohms, and there are no balanced headphone outputs.
Buy the Topping A70 Pro. It is rated higher than the Little Labs Monotor and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphone Amps and DACs rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Topping A70 Pro | Little Labs Monotor | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.00 | $580.00 |
| Ranked | #3 of 19 in Headphone Amplifiers | #14 of 19 in Headphone Amplifiers |
| Device Type | Headphone amp | Headphone amp |
| SINAD | 121 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) | 109 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 12,600 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) | - |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 1,370 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) | - |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced | 2 x 6.35 mm, 2 x 3.5 mm |
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR line out) | No |
| Inputs | RCA, XLR/6.35 mm TRS combo | XLR/TRS combo, TRS, 3.5 mm aux |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR | - |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob | Stepped attenuator knob |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 1.9” x 6.9” (222 x 48 x 176 mm) | - |
| Weight | 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
- 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
Little Labs Monotor: $580.00 Sweetwater eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 109 dB, clean for nearly all listening. It has two 6.35 mm and two 3.5 mm headphone outputs, XLR/TRS combo, TRS and 3.5 mm inputs, and a stepped attenuator for precise volume matching.
Cons: Little Labs doesn’t publish a power figure into 32 ohms, and there are no balanced headphone outputs. The JDS Labs Atom Amp 2 rates higher, measured cleaner and is rated at 2,650 mW into 32 ohms for far less.
Full Little Labs Monotor review and specifications →
| Balanced Output | No |
|---|---|
| Device Type | Headphone amp |
| Headphone Outputs | 2 x 6.35 mm, 2 x 3.5 mm |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo, TRS, 3.5 mm aux |
| SINAD | 109 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Stepped attenuator knob |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Little Labs Monotor vs Fosi Audio SK01
- Little Labs Monotor vs HeadAmp Gilmore Lite Mk2
- Little Labs Monotor vs Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1
- Little Labs Monotor vs Topping A90 Discrete