Short answer: the Topping A70 Pro for better measured performance, the Topping L50 for the lower price. The Topping A70 Pro ranks #3 of 19 headphone amplifiers, rated 4.8/5, at $499. The Topping L50 ranks #8, rated 4.7/5, at $169, $330 cheaper.
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.
What the Topping L50 does well: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 121 dB, so the amp adds no audible noise or distortion. Watch for: It has no DAC, so it needs a separate source with line outputs.
Buy the Topping A70 Pro when measured performance outweighs the price for you, and the Topping L50 when the price outweighs measured performance instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphone Amps and DACs rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Topping A70 Pro | Topping L50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.00 | $169.00 |
| Ranked | #3 of 19 in Headphone Amplifiers | #8 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) | 12,600 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) | 2,800 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 1,370 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) | 540 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced | 6.35 mm, 4-pin XLR |
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR line out) | - |
| Inputs | RCA, XLR/6.35 mm TRS combo | RCA, 6.35 mm TRS balanced |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR | RCA, 6.35 mm TRS (input passthrough, active only when the amp is off) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob | Hardware knob |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 1.9” x 6.9” (222 x 48 x 176 mm) | 6.5” x 1.6” x 5.1” (166 x 41 x 129 mm) |
| Weight | 2.8 lbs (1,270 g) | 1.2 lbs (545 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 JDS Labs Atom Amp 2
- Topping A70 Pro vs Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1
- See all 12 comparisons
Topping L50: $169.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 121 dB, so the amp adds no audible noise or distortion. A rated 2,800 mW into 32 ohms and 540 mW into 300 ohms is enough for nearly any headphone, including demanding planar magnetic and high impedance models. It offers a 4-pin XLR balanced headphone output and accepts balanced 6.35 mm TRS or RCA inputs.
Cons: It has no DAC, so it needs a separate source with line outputs. The Topping A50 III rates slightly higher with more rated power for a little more, and the passthrough outputs only work while the amp is switched off.
Full Topping L50 review and specifications →
| Device Type | Headphone amp |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6.5” x 1.6” x 5.1” (166 x 41 x 129 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4-pin XLR |
| Inputs | RCA, 6.35 mm TRS balanced |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 540 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 2,800 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Outputs | RCA, 6.35 mm TRS (input passthrough, active only when the amp is off) |
| SINAD | 121 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (545 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons