diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/cavs-mixin-mixout-hda.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/cavs-mixin-mixout-hda.conf
index f96987aef8e3..95662d468299 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/cavs-mixin-mixout-hda.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/cavs-mixin-mixout-hda.conf
@@ -87,12 +87,16 @@ Object.PCM {
 	pcm.0 {
 		id 0
 		name 'HDA Analog'
-		Object.Base.fe_dai.'HDA Analog' {}
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.playback {
+		Object.Base.fe_dai.1 {
+			name "HDA Analog"
+		}
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.1 {
+			direction	"playback"
 			name $ANALOG_PLAYBACK_PCM
 			formats 'S32_LE,S24_LE,S16_LE'
 		}
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.capture {
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.2 {
+			direction	"capture"
 			name $ANALOG_CAPTURE_PCM
 			formats 'S32_LE,S24_LE,S16_LE'
 		}
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/cavs-nocodec.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/cavs-nocodec.conf
index e59823dd6e70..348e45f363a5 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/cavs-nocodec.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/cavs-nocodec.conf
@@ -366,14 +366,18 @@ Object.PCM {
 		name	"Port0"
 		id 0
 		direction	"duplex"
-		Object.Base.fe_dai."Port0" {}
+		Object.Base.fe_dai.1 {
+			name	"Port0"
+		}
 
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps."playback" {
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.1 {
+			direction	"playback"
 			name "SSP0 Playback"
 			formats 'S16_LE,S24_LE,S32_LE'
 		}
 
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps."capture" {
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.2 {
+			direction	"capture"
 			name "SSP0 Capture"
 			formats 'S16_LE,S24_LE,S32_LE'
 		}
@@ -382,9 +386,10 @@ Object.PCM {
 		name	"ssp-capture"
 		id 12
 		direction	"capture"
-		Object.Base.fe_dai."ssp-capture" {}
-
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps."capture" {
+		Object.Base.fe_dai.1 {
+			name	"ssp-capture"
+		}
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.1 {
 			name "SSP0-1 Capture"
 			formats 'S16_LE,S24_LE,S32_LE'
 		}
@@ -393,14 +398,18 @@ Object.PCM {
 		name	"Port1"
 		id 1
 		direction	"duplex"
-		Object.Base.fe_dai."Port1" {}
+		Object.Base.fe_dai.1 {
+			name	"Port1"
+		}
 
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps."playback" {
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.1 {
+			direction	"playback"
 			name "SSP1 Playback"
 			formats 'S16_LE,S24_LE,S32_LE'
 		}
 
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps."capture" {
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.2 {
+			direction	"capture"
 			name "SSP1 Capture"
 			formats 'S16_LE,S24_LE,S32_LE'
 		}
@@ -409,14 +418,18 @@ Object.PCM {
 		name	"Port2"
 		id 2
 		direction	"duplex"
-		Object.Base.fe_dai."Port2" {}
+		Object.Base.fe_dai.1 {
+			name	"Port2"
+		}
 
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps."playback" {
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.1 {
+			direction	"playback"
 			name "SSP2 Playback"
 			formats 'S16_LE,S24_LE,S32_LE'
 		}
 
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps."capture" {
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.2 {
+			direction	"capture"
 			name "SSP2 Capture"
 			formats 'S16_LE,S24_LE,S32_LE'
 		}
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/cavs-rt5682.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/cavs-rt5682.conf
index 40e660c02c67..b04957d990ea 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/cavs-rt5682.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/cavs-rt5682.conf
@@ -249,15 +249,19 @@ Object.PCM {
 		name	"Headset"
 		id	0
 		direction	"duplex"
-		Object.Base.fe_dai."Headset" {}
+		Object.Base.fe_dai.1 {
+			name	"Headset"
+		}
 
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps."playback" {
-			name	"$HEADSET_PLAYBACK_PCM_STREAM_NAME"
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.1 {
+			direction	"playback"
+			name		"$HEADSET_PLAYBACK_PCM_STREAM_NAME"
 			formats	'S16_LE,S24_LE,S32_LE'
 		}
 
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps."capture" {
-			name	"$HEADSET_CAPTURE_PCM_STREAM_NAME"
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.2 {
+			direction	"capture"
+			name		"$HEADSET_CAPTURE_PCM_STREAM_NAME"
 			formats	'S16_LE,S24_LE,S32_LE'
 		}
 	}
@@ -265,9 +269,11 @@ Object.PCM {
 		name	"Speakers"
 		id	1
 		direction	"playback"
-		Object.Base.fe_dai."Speakers" {}
+		Object.Base.fe_dai.1 {
+			name	"Speakers"
+		}
 
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps."playback" {
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.1 {
 			name	"$SPEAKER_PLAYBACK_PCM_STREAM_NAME"
 			formats	'S16_LE,S24_LE,S32_LE'
 		}
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/cavs-sdw-src-gain-mixin.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/cavs-sdw-src-gain-mixin.conf
index f217f05085f9..0feaa3872aea 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/cavs-sdw-src-gain-mixin.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/cavs-sdw-src-gain-mixin.conf
@@ -133,9 +133,11 @@ Object.PCM {
 		name	"Jack out"
 		id 0
 		direction	"playback"
-		Object.Base.fe_dai."Jack out" {}
+		Object.Base.fe_dai.1 {
+			name	"Jack out"
+		}
 
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps."playback" {
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.1 {
 			name "Gain Playback 0"
 			formats 'S16_LE,S32_LE'
 			rate_min 16000
@@ -146,9 +148,11 @@ Object.PCM {
 		name	"Jack in"
 		id 1
 		direction	"capture"
-		Object.Base.fe_dai."Jack in" {}
+		Object.Base.fe_dai.1 {
+			name	"Jack in"
+		}
 
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps."capture" {
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.1 {
 			name "Passthrough Capture 0"
 			formats 'S16_LE,S32_LE'
 		}
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/cavs-sdw.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/cavs-sdw.conf
index 885940ef8ed3..ad6a67b45162 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/cavs-sdw.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/cavs-sdw.conf
@@ -194,9 +194,11 @@ Object.PCM {
 		name	"Jack out"
 		id 0
 		direction	"playback"
-		Object.Base.fe_dai."Jack out" {}
+		Object.Base.fe_dai.1 {
+			name	"Jack out"
+		}
 
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps."playback" {
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.1 {
 			name "volume playback 0"
 			formats 'S16_LE,S32_LE'
 		}
@@ -205,9 +207,11 @@ Object.PCM {
 		name	"Jack in"
 		id 1
 		direction	"capture"
-		Object.Base.fe_dai."Jack in" {}
+		Object.Base.fe_dai.1 {
+			name	"Jack in"
+		}
 
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps."capture" {
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.1 {
 			name "Passthrough Capture 0"
 			formats 'S16_LE,S32_LE'
 		}
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/get_abi.sh b/tools/topology/topology2/get_abi.sh
index 1ddb8549b11e..a029846c9ea6 100755
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/get_abi.sh
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/get_abi.sh
@@ -8,8 +8,10 @@ ABI_MINOR=$(awk '/^ *# *define *SOF_ABI_MINOR / { print $3 }' $1/src/include/ker
 ABI_PATCH=$(awk '/^ *# *define *SOF_ABI_PATCH / { print $3 }' $1/src/include/kernel/abi.h)
 
 cat <<EOF_HEADER
-Object.Base.manifest."sof_manifest" {
-	Object.Base.data."SOF ABI" {
+Object.Base.manifest.1 {
+	name "sof_manifest"
+	Object.Base.data.1 {
+		name "SOF ABI"
 EOF_HEADER
 
 print_1byte()
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/include/common/data.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/include/common/data.conf
index 03bf1a7b2351..84655302224e 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/include/common/data.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/include/common/data.conf
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@
 #
 Class.Base."data" {
 
+	DefineAttribute."instance" {}
+
 	DefineAttribute."name" {
 		type	"string"
 	}
@@ -21,8 +23,8 @@ Class.Base."data" {
 		]
 		#
 		# data objects instantiated within the same alsaconf node must have unique
-		# name attribute
+		# instance attribute
 		#
-		unique	"name"
+		unique	"instance"
 	}
 }
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/include/common/fe_dai.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/include/common/fe_dai.conf
index 6ce2feb2d51a..8310c298c73b 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/include/common/fe_dai.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/include/common/fe_dai.conf
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 #
 # FE DAI Class definition. All attributes defined herein are namespaced
-# by alsatplg to "Object.Base.fe_dai.NAME.attribute_name".
+# by alsatplg to "Object.Base.fe_dai.instance.attribute_name".
 #
 # Usage: FE DAI objects can be instantiated as
 #
-#	Object.Base.fe_dai."NAME" {
+#	Object.Base.fe_dai.1 {
 #		id	0
 #	}
 #
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@
 
 Class.Base."fe_dai" {
 
+	DefineAttribute."instance" {}
+
 	DefineAttribute."name" {
 		type	"string"
 	}
@@ -28,9 +30,9 @@ Class.Base."fe_dai" {
 			"id"
 		]
 		#
-		# name attribute values for fe_dai objects must be unique in the
+		# instance attribute values for fe_dai objects must be unique in the
 		# same alsaconf node
 		#
-		unique	"name"
+		unique	"instance"
 	}
 }
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/include/common/manifest.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/include/common/manifest.conf
index a7f3966779e0..808d9645bb8e 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/include/common/manifest.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/include/common/manifest.conf
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 #
 
 Class.Base."manifest" {
+	DefineAttribute."instance" {}
+
 	DefineAttribute."name" {
 		type	"string"
 	}
@@ -23,10 +25,10 @@ Class.Base."manifest" {
 			"name"
 		]
 		#
-		# name attribute values for manifest objects must be unique
+		# instance attribute values for manifest objects must be unique
 		# in the same alsaconf node
 		#
-		unique	"name"
+		unique	"instance"
 	}
 
 	# as default don't generate nhlt
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/include/common/pcm_caps.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/include/common/pcm_caps.conf
index 02e4cee6255d..949e7243e965 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/include/common/pcm_caps.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/include/common/pcm_caps.conf
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 #
 # PCM Capabilities Class definition. All attributes defined herein are
-# namespaced by alsatplg to "Object.PCM.pcm_caps.DIRECTION.attribute_name".
+# namespaced by alsatplg to "Object.PCM.pcm_caps.instance.attribute_name".
 #
 # Usage: PCM object can be instantiated as:
 #
-#	Object.PCM.pcm_caps."DIRECTION" {
+#	Object.PCM.pcm_caps.1 {
 #		name			"Headset"
 #		direction		"playback"
 #		formats			"S32_LE,S24_LE,S16_LE"
@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@
 # the same alsaconf node (normally, pcm object).
 
 Class.PCM."pcm_caps" {
+
+	DefineAttribute."instance" {}
+
 	#
 	# Argument used to construct PCM Capabilities
 	#
@@ -72,9 +75,9 @@ Class.PCM."pcm_caps" {
 
 		#
 		# pcm_caps objects instantiated within the same alsaconf node must have unique
-		# direction attribute
+		# instance attribute
 		#
-		unique	"direction"
+		unique	"instance"
 	}
 
 	# Default attribute values for PCM capabilities
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/include/common/tokens.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/include/common/tokens.conf
index 670102a4faed..e1af4b3237c9 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/include/common/tokens.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/include/common/tokens.conf
@@ -3,7 +3,8 @@
 #
 
 Object.Base.VendorToken {
-	"sof_tkn_comp" {
+	"1" {
+		name "sof_tkn_comp"
 		period_sink_count	400
 		period_source_count	401
 		format			402
@@ -23,7 +24,8 @@ Object.Base.VendorToken {
 		src_pin_binding_wname	414
 	}
 
-	"sof_tkn_dai" {
+	"2" {
+		name "sof_tkn_dai"
 		# Token retired with ABI 3.2, do not use for new capabilities
 		dmac_config			153
 		dai_type			154
@@ -31,35 +33,41 @@ Object.Base.VendorToken {
 		direction			156
 	}
 
-	"sof_tkn_buffer" {
+	"3" {
+		name "sof_tkn_buffer"
 		size			100
 		caps			101
 	}
 
-	"sof_tkn_volume" {
+	"4" {
+		name "sof_tkn_volume"
 		ramp_step_type		250
 		ramp_step_ms		251
 	}
 
-	"sof_tkn_gain" {
+	"5" {
+		name "sof_tkn_gain"
 		curve_type		260
 		curve_duration		261
 		init_value		262
 	}
 
-	"sof_tkn_src" {
+	"6" {
+		name "sof_tkn_src"
 		rate_in				300
 		rate_out			301
 	}
 
-	"sof_tkn_asrc" {
+	"7" {
+		name "sof_tkn_asrc"
 		rate_in				320
 		rate_out			321
 		asynchronous_mode	322
 		operation_mode		323
 	}
 
-	"sof_tkn_scheduler" {
+	"8" {
+		name "sof_tkn_scheduler"
 		period			200
 		priority		201
 		mips			202
@@ -72,7 +80,8 @@ Object.Base.VendorToken {
 		use_chain_dma		209
 	}
 
-	"sof_tkn_intel_ssp" {
+	"9" {
+		name "sof_tkn_intel_ssp"
 		clks_control		500
 		mclk_id			501
 		sample_bits		502
@@ -82,7 +91,8 @@ Object.Base.VendorToken {
 		bclk_delay		506
 	}
 
-	"sof_tkn_intel_dmic" {
+	"10" {
+		name "sof_tkn_intel_dmic"
 		driver_version		600
 		clk_min			601
 		clk_max			602
@@ -96,7 +106,8 @@ Object.Base.VendorToken {
 
 	}
 
-	"sof_tkn_intel_dmic_pdm" {
+	"11" {
+		name "sof_tkn_intel_dmic_pdm"
 		ctrl_id		700
 		mic_a_enable	701
 		mic_b_enable	702
@@ -107,33 +118,39 @@ Object.Base.VendorToken {
 
 	}
 
-	 "sof_tkn_process" {
+	 "12" {
+		name "sof_tkn_process"
 		# Token payload_with_output_fmt specifies whether there is
 		# output audio format in the init instance ipc4 message payload.
 		payload_with_output_fmt         901
 	}
 
-	"sof_tkn_stream" {
+	"13" {
+		name "sof_tkn_stream"
 		playback_compatible_d0i3         "1200"
 		capture_compatible_d0i3          "1201"
 	}
 
-        "sof_tkn_mute_led" {
+        "14" {
+		name "sof_tkn_mute_led"
                 mute_led_use            1300
                 mute_led_direction      1301
         }
 
-	"sof_tkn_alh" {
+	"15" {
+		name "sof_tkn_alh"
 		rate		1400
 		channels	1401
 	}
 
-	"sof_tkn_mixinout" {
+	"16" {
+		name "sof_tkn_mixinout"
 		mix_type	1700
 	}
 
 	# ABI 4.0 onwards
-	"sof_tkn_cavs_audio_format" {
+	"17" {
+		name "sof_tkn_cavs_audio_format"
 		in_rate		1900
 		in_bit_depth		1901
 		in_valid_bit_depth	1902
@@ -160,7 +177,8 @@ Object.Base.VendorToken {
 	}
 
 	# ABI 4.0 onwards
-	"sof_tkn_copier" {
+	"18" {
+		name "sof_tkn_copier"
 		node_type		1980
 	}
 }
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/include/common/vendor-token.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/include/common/vendor-token.conf
index 1ede12724c8b..ce498e327113 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/include/common/vendor-token.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/include/common/vendor-token.conf
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@
 #
 
 Class.Base.VendorToken {
+	DefineAttribute."instance" {}
+
 	#
 	# name for the vendortoken object
 	#
@@ -31,9 +33,9 @@ Class.Base.VendorToken {
 		]
 
 		#
-		# name attribute values for VendorToken objects must be unique in the same alsaconf
+		# instance attribute values for VendorToken objects must be unique in the same alsaconf
 		# node
 		#
-		unique	"name"
+		unique	"instance"
 	}
 }
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/include/components/gain.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/include/components/gain.conf
index 76e75d0f43e0..2901da79ec10 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/include/components/gain.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/include/components/gain.conf
@@ -129,12 +129,16 @@ Class.Widget."gain" {
 		# gain mixer control
 		mixer."1" {
 			#Channel register and shift for Front Left/Right
-			Object.Base.channel."fl" {
+			Object.Base.channel.1 {
+				name "fl"
 				shift	0
 			}
-			Object.Base.channel."fr" {}
+			Object.Base.channel.2 {
+				name "fr"
+			}
 
-			Object.Base.ops."ctl" {
+			Object.Base.ops.1 {
+				name	"ctl"
 				info 	"volsw"
 				#256 binds the mixer control to volume get/put handlers
 				get 	256
@@ -142,13 +146,15 @@ Class.Widget."gain" {
 			}
 			max 45
 
-			Object.Base.tlv."vtlv_m90s2" {
-                                        Object.Base.scale."m90s2" {
-						min     -9000
-						step    200
-						mute    1
-					}
-                                }
+			Object.Base.tlv.1 {
+				name	"vtlv_m90s2"
+				Object.Base.scale.1 {
+					name	m90s2
+					min     -9000
+					step    200
+					mute    1
+				}
+			}
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/include/components/pipeline.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/include/components/pipeline.conf
index c3878684cd0a..8dafb6bdfe7d 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/include/components/pipeline.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/include/components/pipeline.conf
@@ -20,9 +20,6 @@ Class.Widget."pipeline" {
 	#include common component definition
 	<include/components/widget-common.conf>
 
-	# instance of pipeline object in the same alsaconf node
-	DefineAttribute."instance" {}
-
 	#
 	# Bespoke Tuples for Pipelines
 	#
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/include/components/virtual.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/include/components/virtual.conf
index 64cb6956609d..095628d0a02d 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/include/components/virtual.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/include/components/virtual.conf
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@
 #
 
 Class.Widget."virtual" {
+	DefineAttribute."instance" {}
+
 	#
 	# Argument used to construct virtual widget object: name
 	#
@@ -42,7 +44,7 @@ Class.Widget."virtual" {
 		!mandatory [
 			"type"
 		]
-		unique	"name"
+		unique	"instance"
 	}
 
 	# default attribute values for virtual widget
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/include/components/volume.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/include/components/volume.conf
index fa6338b167b1..f83e0d081889 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/include/components/volume.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/include/components/volume.conf
@@ -116,12 +116,16 @@ Class.Widget."pga" {
 		# volume mixer control
 		mixer."1" {
 			#Channel register and shift for Front Left/Right
-			Object.Base.channel."fl" {
+			Object.Base.channel.1 {
+				name	"fl"
 				shift	0
 			}
-			Object.Base.channel."fr" {}
+			Object.Base.channel.2 {
+				name	"fr"
+			}
 
-			Object.Base.ops."ctl" {
+			Object.Base.ops.1 {
+				name	"ctl"
 				info 	"volsw"
 				#256 binds the mixer control to volume get/put handlers
 				get 	256
@@ -132,24 +136,29 @@ Class.Widget."pga" {
 
 		# mute switch control
 		mixer."2" {
-			Object.Base.channel."flw" {
+			Object.Base.channel.1 {
+				name	"flw"
 				reg	2
 				shift	0
 			}
-			Object.Base.channel."fl" {
+			Object.Base.channel.2 {
+				name	"fl"
 				reg	2
 				shift	1
 			}
-			Object.Base.channel."fr" {
+			Object.Base.channel.3 {
+				name	"fr"
 				reg	2
 				shift	2
 			}
-			Object.Base.channel."frw" {
+			Object.Base.channel.4 {
+				name	"frw"
 				reg	2
 				shift	3
 			}
 
-			Object.Base.ops."ctl" {
+			Object.Base.ops.1 {
+				name	"ctl"
 				info "volsw"
 				#259 binds the mixer control to switch get/put handlers
 				get "259"
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/include/components/widget-common.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/include/components/widget-common.conf
index b1be3f8757dd..a9f7e939c4bb 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/include/components/widget-common.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/include/components/widget-common.conf
@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@
 # Common widget attribute definitions
 #
 
+# instance of the widget object
+DefineAttribute."instance" {}
+
 #
 # no_pm - maps to the DAPM widget's reg field
 # "false" value indicates that there is no direct DAPM for this widget
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/include/controls/common.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/include/controls/common.conf
index ab31d22f271b..77593fccc1fb 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/include/controls/common.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/include/controls/common.conf
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 #	}
 #
 Class.Base."channel" {
-
+	DefineAttribute."instance" {}
 	# name of the channel
 	DefineAttribute."name" {
 		type	"string"
@@ -24,9 +24,9 @@ Class.Base."channel" {
 		]
 		#
 		# scale objects instantiated within the same alsaconf node must have unique
-		# name attribute
+		# instance attribute
 		#
-		unique	"name"
+		unique	"instance"
 	}
 
 	reg	1
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ Class.Base."channel" {
 #	}
 #
 Class.Base."ops" {
+	DefineAttribute."instance" {}
 	# ops name
 	DefineAttribute."name" {
 		type	"string"
@@ -61,9 +62,9 @@ Class.Base."ops" {
 		]
 		#
 		# ops objects instantiated within the same alsaconf node must have unique
-		# name attribute
+		# instance attribute
 		#
-		unique	"name"
+		unique	"instance"
 	}
 }
 
@@ -75,6 +76,7 @@ Class.Base."ops" {
 #	}
 #
 Class.Base."extops" {
+	DefineAttribute."instance" {}
 	# extops name
 	DefineAttribute."name" {
 		type	"string"
@@ -96,9 +98,9 @@ Class.Base."extops" {
 		]
 		#
 		# extops objects instantiated within the same alsaconf node must have unique
-		# name attribute
+		# instance attribute
 		#
-		unique	"name"
+		unique	"instance"
 	}
 }
 
@@ -109,6 +111,7 @@ Class.Base."extops" {
 #	}
 #
 Class.Base."scale" {
+	DefineAttribute."instance" {}
 	DefineAttribute."name" {
 		type "string"
 	}
@@ -125,9 +128,9 @@ Class.Base."scale" {
 		]
 		#
 		# scale objects instantiated within the same alsaconf node must have unique
-		# name attribute
+		# instance attribute
 		#
-		unique	"name"
+		unique	"instance"
 	}
 
 	# Default scale attributes: "-64dB step 2dB"
@@ -142,6 +145,7 @@ Class.Base."scale" {
 #		Object.Base.scale."0" {}
 #	}
 Class.Base."tlv" {
+	DefineAttribute."instance" {}
 	DefineAttribute."name" {
 		type	"string"
 	}
@@ -151,8 +155,8 @@ Class.Base."tlv" {
 		]
 		#
 		# TLV objects instantiated within the same alsaconf node must have unique
-		# name attribute
+		# instance attribute
 		#
-		unique	"name"
+		unique	"instance"
 	}
 }
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/include/controls/mixer.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/include/controls/mixer.conf
index bd88870a3cbb..7cdaeaf92b66 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/include/controls/mixer.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/include/controls/mixer.conf
@@ -8,11 +8,13 @@
 #		index	1
 #		name	"1 Master Playback Volume"
 #		mas 32
-#			Object.Base.channel."fl" {
+#			Object.Base.channel.1 {
+#				name "fl"
 #				shift	0
 #				reg 0
 #			}
-#			Object.Base.channel."fr" {
+#			Object.Base.channel.2 {
+#				name "fr"
 #				shift 1
 #				reg 1
 #			}
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/include/dais/pdm_config.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/include/dais/pdm_config.conf
index 4bb15d547600..7d75ee9dbdb5 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/include/dais/pdm_config.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/include/dais/pdm_config.conf
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 Class.Base."pdm_config" {
+	DefineAttribute."instance" {}
 	#
 	# Argument used to construct DMIC PDM config
 	#
@@ -42,7 +43,7 @@ Class.Base."pdm_config" {
 			"clk_edge"
 			"skew"
 		]
-		unique "ctrl_id"
+		unique "instance"
 	}
 
 	# default attribute values
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/deep-buffer.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/deep-buffer.conf
index b7527579cfa3..c374f1947234 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/deep-buffer.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/deep-buffer.conf
@@ -22,9 +22,11 @@
 			direction playback
 			playback_compatible_d0i3 true
 
-			Object.Base.fe_dai.'DeepBuffer' {}
+			Object.Base.fe_dai.1 {
+				name "DeepBuffer"
+			}
 
-			Object.PCM.pcm_caps.playback {
+			Object.PCM.pcm_caps.1 {
 				name $DEEP_BUFFER_PCM_NAME
 				formats 'S16_LE,S24_LE,S32_LE'
 			}
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/dmic-generic.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/dmic-generic.conf
index 8f4ce6bf0f0a..0639ab6e4ceb 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/dmic-generic.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/dmic-generic.conf
@@ -18,12 +18,12 @@ Object.Dai {
 		}
 
 		# PDM controller config
-		Object.Base.pdm_config."0" {
+		Object.Base.pdm_config.1 {
 			mic_a_enable	$PDM0_MIC_A_ENABLE
 			mic_b_enable	$PDM0_MIC_B_ENABLE
 			ctrl_id	0
 		}
-		Object.Base.pdm_config."1" {
+		Object.Base.pdm_config.2 {
 			ctrl_id	1
 			mic_a_enable	$PDM1_MIC_A_ENABLE
 			mic_b_enable	$PDM1_MIC_B_ENABLE
@@ -52,12 +52,12 @@ Object.Dai {
                }
 
                # PDM controller config
-               Object.Base.pdm_config."3" {
+               Object.Base.pdm_config.1 {
                        mic_a_enable    $PDM0_MIC_A_ENABLE
                        mic_b_enable    $PDM0_MIC_B_ENABLE
                        ctrl_id 0
                }
-               Object.Base.pdm_config."4" {
+               Object.Base.pdm_config.2 {
                        ctrl_id 1
                        mic_a_enable    $PDM1_MIC_A_ENABLE
                        mic_b_enable    $PDM1_MIC_B_ENABLE
@@ -126,9 +126,11 @@ Object.PCM {
 		name	"DMIC"
 		id 10
 		direction	"capture"
-		Object.Base.fe_dai."DMIC" {}
+		Object.Base.fe_dai.1 {
+			name "DMIC"
+		}
 
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps."capture" {
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.1 {
 			name $DMIC0_PCM_CAPS
 			# only 32-bit capture supported now
 			formats 'S32_LE'
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/dmic-wov.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/dmic-wov.conf
index ffefd5eda9ad..c94e1dfa16a2 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/dmic-wov.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/dmic-wov.conf
@@ -120,9 +120,11 @@ Object.PCM {
 		name	"DMIC16k"
 		id	11
 		direction	"capture"
-		Object.Base.fe_dai."DMIC16k" {}
+		Object.Base.fe_dai.1 {
+			name "DMIC16k"
+		}
 
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps."capture" {
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.1 {
 			name $DMIC1_PCM_CAPS
 			# only 32-bit capture supported now
 			formats 'S32_LE'
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/hdmi-4th.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/hdmi-4th.conf
index e73153e6c022..bde8ef7b658f 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/hdmi-4th.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/hdmi-4th.conf
@@ -35,8 +35,10 @@ Object.PCM {
 	pcm.8 {
 		name HDMI4
 		id $HDMI4_PCM_ID
-		Object.Base.fe_dai.HDMI4 {}
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.playback {
+		Object.Base.fe_dai.1 {
+			name	"HDMI4"
+		}
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.1 {
 			name $HDMI4_PCM_CAPS
 			formats 'S32_LE,S16_LE'
 		}
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/hdmi-generic.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/hdmi-generic.conf
index 8e65b96660ab..46c29a946a68 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/hdmi-generic.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/hdmi-generic.conf
@@ -92,8 +92,10 @@ Object.PCM {
 	pcm.5 {
 		name HDMI1
 		id $HDMI1_PCM_ID
-		Object.Base.fe_dai.HDMI1 {}
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.playback {
+		Object.Base.fe_dai.1 {
+			name "HDMI1"
+		}
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.1 {
 			name $HDMI1_PCM_CAPS
 			formats 'S32_LE,S16_LE'
 		}
@@ -102,8 +104,10 @@ Object.PCM {
 	pcm.6 {
 		name HDMI2
 		id $HDMI2_PCM_ID
-		Object.Base.fe_dai.HDMI2 {}
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.playback {
+		Object.Base.fe_dai.1 {
+			name "HDMI2"
+		}
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.1 {
 			name $HDMI2_PCM_CAPS
 			formats 'S32_LE,S16_LE'
 		}
@@ -112,8 +116,10 @@ Object.PCM {
 	pcm.7 {
 		name HDMI3
 		id $HDMI3_PCM_ID
-		Object.Base.fe_dai.HDMI3 {}
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.playback {
+		Object.Base.fe_dai.1 {
+			name "HDMI3"
+		}
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.1 {
 			name $HDMI3_PCM_CAPS
 			formats 'S32_LE,S16_LE'
 		}
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/sdw-amp-generic.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/sdw-amp-generic.conf
index 5a2c5299e801..a9a895e7b856 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/sdw-amp-generic.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/sdw-amp-generic.conf
@@ -105,9 +105,11 @@ Object.PCM {
 		name	"Speaker"
 		id 2
 		direction	"playback"
-		Object.Base.fe_dai."Speaker" {}
+		Object.Base.fe_dai.1 {
+			name	"Speaker"
+		}
 
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps."playback" {
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.1 {
 			name "sdw amplifiers"
 			formats 'S16_LE,S24_LE,S32_LE'
 		}
@@ -116,9 +118,11 @@ Object.PCM {
 		name	"Amp feedback"
 		id 3
 		direction	"capture"
-		Object.Base.fe_dai."Amp feedback" {}
+		Object.Base.fe_dai.1 {
+			name	"Amp feedback"
+		}
 
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps."capture" {
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.1 {
 			name "amp feedback"
 			formats 'S16_LE,S32_LE'
 			channels_min $AMP_FEEDBACK_CH
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/sdw-dmic-generic.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/sdw-dmic-generic.conf
index adeb41eb40fc..444e78d61942 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/sdw-dmic-generic.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/platform/intel/sdw-dmic-generic.conf
@@ -52,9 +52,11 @@ Object.PCM {
 		name	"Microphone"
 		id 4
 		direction	"capture"
-		Object.Base.fe_dai."SDW DMIC" {}
+		Object.Base.fe_dai.1 {
+			name "SDW DMIC"
+		}
 
-		Object.PCM.pcm_caps."capture" {
+		Object.PCM.pcm_caps.1 {
 			name "sdw dmic"
 			formats 'S16_LE,S24_LE,S32_LE'
 		}
diff --git a/tools/topology/topology2/sof-hda-generic.conf b/tools/topology/topology2/sof-hda-generic.conf
index 6f80fd7427e2..50fa2100720b 100644
--- a/tools/topology/topology2/sof-hda-generic.conf
+++ b/tools/topology/topology2/sof-hda-generic.conf
@@ -67,75 +67,93 @@ Define {
 <hdmi-generic.conf>
 
 Object.Widget.virtual {
-	codec0_in {
+	1 {
+		name 'codec0_in'
 		type input
 		index 1
 	}
-	codec1_in {
+	2 {
+		name 'codec1_in'
 		type input
 		index 2
 	}
-	codec0_out {
+	3 {
+		name 'codec0_out'
 		type output
 		index 3
 	}
-	codec1_out {
+	4 {
+		name 'codec1_out'
 		type output
 		index 4
 	}
-	codec2_in {
+	5 {
+		name 'codec2_in'
 		type input
 		index 5
 	}
-	codec2_out {
+	6 {
+		name 'codec2_out'
 		type output
 		index 6
 	}
-	iDisp1_out {
+	7 {
+		name 'iDisp1_out'
 		type output
 		index 7
 	}
-	iDisp2_out {
+	8 {
+		name 'iDisp2_out'
 		type output
 		index 8
 	}
-	iDisp3_out {
+	9 {
+		name 'iDisp3_out'
 		type output
 		index 9
 	}
-	'iDisp3 Tx' {
+	10 {
+		name 'iDisp3 Tx'
 		type out_drv
 		index 0
 	}
-	'iDisp2 Tx' {
+	11 {
+		name 'iDisp2 Tx'
 		type out_drv
 		index 1
 	}
-	'iDisp1 Tx' {
+	12 {
+		name 'iDisp1 Tx'
 		type out_drv
 		index 2
 	}
-	'Analog CPU Playback' {
+	13 {
+		name 'Analog CPU Playback'
 		type out_drv
 		index 3
 	}
-	'Digital CPU Playback' {
+	14 {
+		name 'Digital CPU Playback'
 		type out_drv
 		index 4
 	}
-	'Alt Analog CPU Playback' {
+	15 {
+		name 'Alt Analog CPU Playback'
 		type out_drv
 		index 5
 	}
-	'Analog CPU Capture' {
+	16 {
+		name 'Analog CPU Capture'
 		type input
 		index 6
 	}
-	'Digital CPU Capture' {
+	17 {
+		name 'Digital CPU Capture'
 		type input
 		index 7
 	}
-	'Alt Analog CPU Capture' {
+	18 {
+		name 'Alt Analog CPU Capture'
 		type input
 		index 8
 	}