Dedicated amp for RME ADI-2 DAC FS

[RPGWiZaRD]

I'm looking for something that fits these aspects:

- Solid state amp
- Form-factor close to RME ADI-2
- Will be used for mastering as well as listening
- Digital volume display
- Available in black color
- Needs to work with sensitive headphones as well, doesn't need to be able to power the most demanding headphones out there
- Sound characteristics: more to the detailed/revealing side, quick and tight, neutral, open
- Preferable max 500€ / $500 USD

My own research leads to Topping A90 Discrete, I like a lot of things about it but maybe there's other noteworthy options to consider as I saw some posts about it breaking down on some people. For the people wondering, I never quite liked using RME ADI-2's headphone out/powered output due to it sounding rather "closed-in" to my ears and had better results running line-out to some relatively cheap portable amps but I figured I'd try to upgrade to a desktop amp with similar form factor so I can stack on top for a cleaner setup (and getting a balanced 4.4mm jack).

 

[dunring]

I had the A90D a few times and it was too consumer level smooth sounding. If you want accurate for production work, the SMSL H400 would be great if it fits. The true low gain is excellent for IEMs and power is unlimited for headphones. I've never had to use more than medium gain. Also I like how simple it is, it comes with a remote but I've never used it, menu isn't deep like the Topping A70 Pro. The H400 sounds clean and realistic, no added anything to it for attack/decay of notes.

 

[RPGWiZaRD]

I had the A90D a few times and it was too consumer level smooth sounding. If you want accurate for production work, the SMSL H400 would be great if it fits. The true low gain is excellent for IEMs and power is unlimited for headphones. I've never had to use more than medium gain. Also I like how simple it is, it comes with a remote but I've never used it, menu isn't deep like the Topping A70 Pro. The H400 sounds clean and realistic, no added anything to it for attack/decay of notes.

I will read up on it, seems like a good fit from a quick research especially the sound characteristics, thanks! (I don't mind having lots of settings though, partially why I like RME so much )

The only worry is which one will fit my EDM style music listening needs better as I often find a lot of layers quite sparkly in EDM (vocals, cymbals etc) and Topping seemingly has somewhat smoother sound and quite a lot of weight to the kickdrums but then again for mastering it might not not be good (then again I'm good to adjust my ears to how commercial tracks sounds like and just copy that on whatever equipment I listen with but I do appreciate especially a more nimble or how you'd say response when it comes to the lows, the amp shouldn't affect it much but I've heard examples here and there where it becomes quite noticeable)

 

[RPGWiZaRD]

I'm still a bit undecided on this, I do think either of these Topping A90D or SMSL H400 is probably my best options but unsure which to go for, based on research (haven't heard either):

What I like about Topping A90:

- Size/design is more preferable, closer to RME
- Settings, I'm a settings guy and love to fiddle around (more the merrier!)
- Sound characteristics: Punchy low-end! Seems like a characteristic sound aspect to this amp. I'm a Hardstyle (EDM style music) promoter on YouTube, I listen a lot to this genre and punchy bass characteristics is definitely an important aspect and what I personally always try to maximize when mastering newcomer tracks.
- Outputs closer to the middle than far-right on the H400 (ideally I'd have it on the left side though)

- What I like about SMSL H400

- Sound characteristics: Great at soundstaging/imaging, more open/holographic sounding (something I specifically got bothered by on the RME ADI-2 fs powered headphone jack so it's a concern whether it's better or similar on Topping A90D).
- Reliable, the Topping amps are known for having quality control issues
- Cool operating temps

Difficult pick to make for me... I didn't find any info whether Topping A90D turns itself automatically off or not, I'd prefer auto-shutdown after a while if no sound has been played, similar to ADI-2 fs that I never manually turn-off, I just let it turn off automatically after a while, if it won't auto-turn off I'd rather just leave amp on all the time... At least both amps seem to have the ability to auto-turn off the display, I prefer to keep mine off when not actively adjusting it.

Maybe I'd need to look for some place where I could order both and return whichever I prefer less.