Short answer: the Topping A70 Pro. Both are rated 4.8/5 (#3 and #4 of 19 headphone amplifiers), and the Topping A70 Pro costs $499 against $599 for the Topping A90 Discrete, with the ratings tied, the lower price decides it.
What the Topping A70 Pro does well: Audio Science Review measured 121 dB SINAD, so its noise and distortion are transparent. Watch for: It is a headphone amp only, so it needs a separate DAC.
The case for the Topping A90 Discrete: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 119 dB, so its noise and distortion are inaudible. Watch for: It is a headphone amp only, so it needs a separate DAC.
Buy the Topping A70 Pro. Both are rated the same, and it costs $100 less than the Topping A90 Discrete.
Still deciding? The full Headphone Amps and DACs rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Topping A70 Pro | Topping A90 Discrete | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.00 | $599.00 |
| Ranked | #3 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) | 12,600 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) | 6,700 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 1,370 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) | 1,000 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced |
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR line out) | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR) |
| Inputs | RCA, XLR/6.35 mm TRS combo | RCA, XLR |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR | RCA, XLR (preamp) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob | Hardware knob (relay R2R) and remote |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 1.9” x 6.9” (222 x 48 x 176 mm) | 8.7” x 1.8” x 6.3” (222 x 45 x 160 mm) |
| Weight | 2.8 lbs (1,270 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
- Schiit Midgard vs Topping A70 Pro
- SMSL VMV P2 vs Topping A70 Pro
- Topping A70 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 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 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
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 SMSL VMV P2
- Topping A90 Discrete vs Topping A30 Pro
- 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