Short answer: the Topping A70 Pro. It ranks #3 of 19 headphone amplifiers by measured performance, rated 4.8/5, at $499; the Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1 ranks #10, rated 4.7/5, and costs $749, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Topping A70 Pro does well: Audio Science Review measured 121 dB SINAD, so its noise and distortion are transparent. The tradeoff: It is a headphone amp only, so it needs a separate DAC.
The case for the Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1: 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 A70 Pro. It is rated higher than the Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphone Amps and DACs rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Topping A70 Pro | Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.00 | $749.00 |
| Ranked | #3 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) | 12,600 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) | 1,200 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 1,370 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) | 250 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced | 6.35 mm |
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR line out) | No |
| Inputs | RCA, XLR/6.35 mm TRS combo | RCA, XLR |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR | - |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob | Hardware knob (ALPS RK27 potentiometer) |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 1.9” x 6.9” (222 x 48 x 176 mm) | 5.5” x 2.2” x 8.3” (140 x 55 x 210 mm) |
| Weight | 2.8 lbs (1,270 g) | 1.9 lbs (850 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
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 A30 Pro