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Features & Technology
At the core of the A70 Pro lies the T’ang-ku-la Module—a proprietary three-stage feedback circuit designed to reduce noise and high-frequency distortion. Topping emphasizes that they put considerable effort into improving the module’s thermal management, making it more reliable than previous designs and extending the lifespan of the PCB components. I suspect that this module will replace Topping’s well-known NFCA architecture, and we’ll likely be seeing more of it in 2025.
The A70 Pro delivers up to 17,000mW (17W) per channel at 16Ω and 12,000mW at 32Ω. This makes it not only one of the most powerful amps in Topping’s line-up but also one of the most compact designs capable of producing this level of output. Theoretically, it can handle even the most demanding headphones without issue. Two gain modes are available: +6dB (low) and +19.8dB (high). I used low for the majority of my testing. It’s more than enough for every gear I own. Furthermore, the channel balance and background noise performance are both excellent. With my 6-ohm Symphonium Crimson, there’s only a faint background hiss that disappears entirely once the music starts.
Topping states that the A70 Pro uses a relay-based R2R volume control system, offering precise volume adjustment, improved channel balance, better durability, and more accurate control at low volumes. On the downside, this means you’ll experience stepped volume (no continuous adjustment) and hear audible clicks while turning the pot. Keep that in mind if you’re sensitive to such noises. Despite that, the A70 Pro works seamlessly with a wide range of IEMs and headphones due to its flexibility. According to Topping, the full power specs are: 17,000mW x 2 @16Ω, 12,600mW x 2 @32Ω, 6,000mW x 2 @64Ω, 1,370mW x 2 @300Ω, and 670mW x 2 @600Ω.
The A70 Pro also features a newly developed input stage with ultra-low noise performance and an increased input impedance of 20kΩ. According to Topping, this helps improve compatibility with different source devices, and the re-optimized gain structure further reduces distortion at high output levels, maintaining consistent performance across all gain settings. Unfortunately, I don’t have any notoriously difficult-to-drive headphones like the HE-6 or Beyer T1 to push the limits of the A70 Pro. My Ananda Nano, however, is easily driven without the need to switch to the high-gain mode. Additionally, you can select from HPA (headphone only), PRE (preamplifier only), or HPA+PRE (both) modes to suit your setup.
Topping introduced the Aurora UI along with the new 2-inch color LCD display, featuring a new interface and selectable home screens. It provides three screen modes: Normal, FFT, and VU Meter. Personally, I find the VU Meter mode the most appealing—it looks great during music playback. The screen also makes menu navigation much easier, and overall, the new UI feels more refined. Thanks to the GUI and the volume knob (which doubles as a button), users are no longer as dependent on the remote controller, making it simpler to browse through submenus and adjust settings directly on the device.
Sound & Performance
Imagine the neutrality and clarity of Topping’s classic NFCA design, then dial up the transparency, technical capability, and sheer power delivery. That’s the core character of the A70 Pro. Its presentation is colorless, impeccably clean, and equipped with enough headroom to drive almost anything you plug into it. This might seem like overkill for the majority of listeners, especially those focused on IEMs, but as an IEM-first user myself, I say why not, especially with this price tag. I recently paired the A70 Pro with the D90 III Discrete, and I was amazed by the pairing. Here’s a passage from the previous article:
In my opinion, the Topping D90 III Discrete has redefined the benchmark for the thousand-dollar DAC bracket. It strikes an impressive balance between accuracy and musicality. The first thing that stood out to me was its remarkable transparency, reminding me of my long-time favorite and daily driver, the Hugo 2. Despite the Hugo 2 being released in 2017, I’ve yet to encounter DACs that can approach its sheer level of detail, accuracy, and musicality. The D90 III Discrete, however, gets dangerously close and for a substantially lower price. Its presentation feels true to the recording, with no artificial coloration, no unnecessary elevation, and no unwanted warmth. It delivers the music as it was meant to be heard, with nothing added or taken away.
The neutral, transparent, and incredibly detailed sound signature will likely appeal to those who are like me. I love the Hugo 2 and the TT2; they represent the accessible/logical “end game” for me, for now, at least. While sound preference is highly subjective, the level of technical performance is undeniable. Compared to my Hugo 2 -which remains as my portable and convenient benchmark- the D90 III Discrete paired with the Topping’s own A70 Pro amplifier proved to be wildly impressive, and at nearly a thousand dollars less, it’s a value proposition that’s hard to ignore. It surpassed every reference DAC I have reviewed in the past, which came as a genuine surprise.
Why? Fair question. One area in which the D90 III Discrete truly excels is detail retrieval. It reveals micro-details with an impressive level of clarity and resolution, offering a window into recordings that few devices in this price range can match. Instruments feel natural and transparent, with each note carrying ideal weight and plenty of air. Subtle nuances such as the fading of a piano note, the dissipation of a cymbal strike, or the half-breath a vocalist takes between words can be tracked with precision. Also, its holographic soundstage offers a convincing sense of space with impressive depth and width.
I paired the A70 Pro with various DACs, including the FiiO K19, K9, and JDS Element IV, to further test its versatility. In every scenario, the A70 Pro remained a technically capable and transparent interpreter of the source. Rather than acting as a bottleneck, it served as a neutral bridge, letting the unique characteristics of each DAC and IEM/HP shine through with minimal influence of its own. Its linear and highly resolving presentation ensures that whether you’re using a mid-range DAC or a top-tier source, the fundamental qualities of the pairing remain intact. The A70 Pro simply refuses to impose any coloration on the chain, respecting both your chosen source and your favorite transducers.
Ultimately, the A70 Pro’s performance comes down to its honest neutrality and technical prowess. It provides a stable, transparent foundation for your DAC and headphones to fully reflect their unique signatures. There’s no forced warmth, no artificial emphasis. Pure clarity, power, and resolution, ready at your disposal.
Last Words
Essentially, the A70 Pro represents a significant step forward for Topping. It introduces a new design language, a new amp design, and a new UI, all at the same time. Its neutral transparency that faithfully represents the strengths of any source or headphone is easy to fit in any setup. Especially the T’ang-ku-la module and Aurora UI both point toward a future in which Topping confidently evolves beyond the NFCA and monochrome OLEDs era. For those who value transparency and need power in a compact yet robust form, the A70 Pro is one of the solid options.
Summary
Pros:
+ Colorless, transparent & neutral sound
+ Immensely powerful
+ Rich I/O
+ Compact size
Cons:
– Audible clicking noises (due to relay volume pot)
– Material quality of the remote can be improved
Page 1: Topping, A70 Pro Desktop AMP, Packaging & Accessories, Design & Build Quality
Page 2: Features & Technology, Sound & Performance, Last Words, Summary





Mike
I own a Focal Utopia and the Chord Hugo 2. I’m curious if you experimented with the Hugo 2 in DAC mode and the a70 as amp?
I love my Hugo 2 (for the same reasons you indicate) but it can be fatiguing with the Utopia when listening of extended periods (unless I use its warmest filter).
However I use the Hugo 2 and pair it with a cheap Tube Amp (Douk Audio p1) and get amazing results. I also pair it with a Schiit Magni 2 and also get great results (without fatigue).
I’m looking to upgrade my amp (but keep the Hugo 2 as DAC) and am looking at the a70 as a solid state option to save $$$ to get a killer tube amp (looking at the Cayin ha 300 or Woo WA22) so curious if the Hugo 2 as DAC paired with the a70 would result in an upgrade over the Schiit Magni.
Thoughts?
Yagiz
Why not something like xDuoo TA-20 Plus while you save instead of A70?
That way you could also see whether tube is really the way you want to go before dropping two or three grand.