16 Best Headphone Amps – Top 10 Consumer

Headphone amps are usually something only audiophiles or professionals use, but everyone should consider buying one. The cheapest options are very affordable, and they make your headphones or speakers sound way better. This list of the fourteen best headphone amps includes some cheaper portable amps as well as some expensive desktop amps.

Whatever your specific needs are, you shouldn’t let yourself miss out on owning a headphone amp. These headphone amps will maximize the potential of your headphones and greatly improve their sound quality.

16 Options for the Best Headphone Amp

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1. FiiO K5 Pro

[amazon box=”B07WT7TYWY” description=” ” rating=”4.7″]

FiiO is mostly known for its portable amps, like the BTR line. Even so, the desktop K5 Pro is a great, traditional amp. It’s fairly basic, but the AKM AK4493 is an amazing DAC chip that is almost worth the price in itself. Of course, there’s more to the amp than its DAC chip. The amp has great sound performance, but it can lose some of its precision when used simply as an analog amp.

Specifications

AK4493 DAC chips
XMOS XUF208 USB receiver chip+AKM AK4493 DAC+ Op-amps OPA1642 + flagship TI TPA6120
Multiple interfaces

Sample Customer Review… For $150 there’s nothing that even comes close to this. Dead quiet sound floor, clean neutral sound signature, and gobs of power. It can comfortably run pretty much any dynamic headphones you should be throwing at it. The only way you’re getting a better stack than this is by spending at least $750 and once you’re in that realm you should be looking at magnetic planars, which is a whole different ball game.
Don’t waste your money on “gaming” sound cards. Buy this and the Sennheiser 58X and you’ve got an extremely well-balanced setup that can do pretty much anything you want better than 95% of other products. You will hear absurd amounts of detail at relatively low volume truly bringing your favorite songs back to life. In gaming, it’s borderline hacking. The only way it could improve is if I could hear what the enemy team was thinking. 6/5 just buy it.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com

2. Audiolab M-DAC+

[amazon box=” B07DQQSJ3W ” description=” ” rating=”4.7″]

Unlike most of the best headphone amps, the Audiolab M-DAC+ is not portable. But if you do most of your listening at home, this tank is worth the investment. This amp is a clear winner in its price range, paying strict attention to a detailed delineation of the soundstage. The M-DAC+ has a three-dimensional sound with endless details. The organization and rhythmic assurance are also impressive.

Specifications

Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20KHz
Sampling Rate: 24-bit
Class A preamplifier output stage

Sample Customer Review… After being out of the audio game for a while, wanted to get back in and always knew Audiolab made quality products with their M-DAC (being a previous owner of the original) I just had to try out their upgrade. I was not disappointed. And as always the headphone amplifier is just superb. Easily driving my Sennheiser HD700 (quality find from Amazon Warehouse)
Read more reviews at Amazon.com

3. iFi Zen DAC

[amazon box=”B07YZK5MDS” description=” ” rating=”4.7″]

You wouldn’t expect so much from an amp at this price range, but the Zen handles PCM files up to 384kHz, as well as DSD256 files. It can even decode MQA. The sound is amazing, easily beating any competitors at this price range, as well as outperforming most laptop sound cards.

Specifications

Connect via USB3.0
Input from your USB source
Hi-res audio format up to PCM 24/384

Sample Customer Review… If you’re into listening to music using headphones, this is a great little device. It adds lots of volume without noise. Also has buttons for extra boost which sound good on particular recordings. I purchased the iFI “CAN” amplifier a little later. It’s made by the same company and mates with this DAC. Wow! The two working together has given me lots of options for different listening modes and it’s one of the best sound systems I’ve ever owned.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com

4. Fosi Audio T20

[amazon box=”B07Q26T5N7″ description=” ” rating=”4.6″]

The Fosi T20 is the best budget amplifier out there, even though it might be worth the extra few dollars for a FiiO, AudioQuest, or iFi amp. It’s a great beginner-level tube amp, but it obviously doesn’t compare to the best tube amps out there. It isn’t as transparent or warm as most tube amps, but you can mess with the tubes a bit and give it some upgrades to maximize its potential. It also looks awesome and will undoubtedly improve your headphones.

Specifications

QCC3031 wireless Bluetooth 5.0 core support aptX and aptX HD
50W RMS X 2 power output
AUX selector

Sample Customer Review… Given the number of positive comments, I was rather confident that this will be a good buy. Wasn’t disappointed at all. With the stock Shuguang 6J4 playing music over Bluetooth, I was pleasantly surprised by the clear, powerful sound. Even then, differences in the quality of the source material can already be heard. After substituting with GE JAN 5654W, the sound became more refined and tube-like. Now I have it connected to an old Sony CD player that sat in the basement for years, and am rediscovering the joy of finding discs to play.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com

5. FiiO BTR5

[amazon box=” B07ZK3M6XK ” description=” ” rating=”4.7″]

FiiO is one of the most pervasive brands in the low-mid audiophile products price range. The FiiO BTR5 is a great portable amp that competes with iFi models like the Zen. The BTR range by FiiO has been the industry standard for a long time, and the BTR5 is no different.

The BTR5 has a clean, balanced sound and a wide variety of features: Bluetooth 5.0, one-touch pairing, and full app control. It’s also very lightweight, something that a lot of its competitors can’t claim. It has an amazing DAC hip, but it does suffer from occasional lag in Bluetooth mode. If you want to spend less (and get fewer features), check out the less expensive products in the BTR lineup. FiiO makes many of the best headphone amp offerings when it comes to affordability.

Specifications

CSR8675 Bluetooth 5.0 receiver
2.5mm and single-ended 3.5mm outputs
Remote control
2 microphones
CVC 8.0 noise cancellation

Sample Customer Review… Well, it is hard to believe but FiiO has cracked the code. A portable Bluetooth Dac Amp with LDAC that sounds better than anything else in their line-up and it is under $200? I mean I have a hard time understanding where all the power comes from. Pushing T50rp and HD600 through the balanced out without breaking a sweat. It feels great in the hand it has more than enough battery for a day out and charges fast.
Bravo Fiio. Bravo
Read more reviews at Amazon.com

6. AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt

[amazon box=”B07T3HSD9Z” description=” ” rating=”4.5″]

Audioquest’s latest Dragonfly is an amazing product. This award-winning amplifier improves on the beloved Dragonfly Red (which is a step up from the Dragonfly Black). It has many of the same features as the Red, such as the bit-perfect digital volume control, MQA renderer, and 2.1v headphone output. But it also offers some upgrades, like the improved DAC chip, a better microprocessor that increases speed by 33%, improved power supply filtering, and a 10% smaller enclosure. It even comes with a DragonTail USB-A to USB-C adaptor.

Specifications

Native Resolution up to 24-bit / 96kHz
DAC Chip ESS ES9038Q2M
Compatible with iOS Mobile Devices

Sample Customer Review… I had been using a Dragonfly Red until a couple of days ago. I really liked how it improved the quality of sound for all of my digital recordings (I’m a deeply committed vinyl advocate). When I started listening to the Dragonfly Cobalt, I could barely believe the quantum leap in clarity, definition, separation, and blend of my recordings. I’m usually one to hang back a bit on new devices.
I don’t own a MacIntosh receiver or $10,000 speakers – just a simple set of Boston Acoustic bookshelf speakers, a Sony subwoofer, and a Realistic receiver [120w RMS/chan] from the 1970s. My system sounds like I just invested thousands of dollars in upgrades. I didn’t. I spent about $300. Wow
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7. Monolith Liquid Platinum

[amazon box=”B07K7YSL41″ description=” ” rating=”4.5″]

The result of a collaboration between Alex Cavali and Monoprice, the Monolith Liquid Platinum does not disappoint. It delivers impactful bass with its twin tubes and the amp is very forgiving—bringing out the best of even cheaper headphones. It has a warm sound, easy-to-change tubes, and balanced outputs. The mids and lows are warm and exceptional, but the highs are a bit brittle. It doesn’t include a DAC, but for this price, the Liquid Platinum is an amazing deal and one of the best headphone amps.

Specifications

Includes a connection delay to the headphones and an active offset detector
Multiple inputs and outputs
Two 6922 tubes

Sample Customer Review… I am delighted with the Liquid Spark. It is solidly built, made of metal, and as handsome as my McCormack headphone amp from 1997. It has a really quiet power supply. In comparison, I had iFi iCan micro SE which buzz badly until I replace the power supply with a comparable one from a Seagate HDD.
How does it sound? Great! It drives all of my headphones including planar like Hifiman HE1000. I actually prefer the sound from Spark as an external amp compared to the Chord Dave headphone jack. It can sound bright with some headphones but I must say that the AQ Nightowl really sings with this amp and I enjoy this Owl-Spark combo as much as my Utopia-HPA1. And the price match of the owl-spark is about right too. Best 100 bucks I have spent on headphone gear. Highly recommended.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com

8. AudioQuest DragonFly Red

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This list is full of award-winning amps, and the AudioQuest DragonFly Red is no different. It’s the midrange DragonFly amp, but is still affordable and offers a dynamic and weighty sound. The excellent lows are combined with an impressive level of detail that creates a natural and expressive sound.

The logo even lights up in different colors depending on what file format the amp is processing—a fun feature shared with the DragonFly Cobalt. Unfortunately, it tops out at 24-bit/96kHz for high-res music and the red finish is prone to chipping. Despite these two flaws, the DragonFly Red will forever be a product worth recommending as one of the best headphone amps. It’s compact, easy-to-use, and greatly improves your music.

Specifications

32-Bit SABRE DAC
2.1v Output Drives Almost Any Headphones
Plays everything from MP3s to 24-bit/96kHz high-resolution files

Sample Customer Review… Wow. I’ve used the Dragonfly v1.2 pretty much every day for hours over the last year with headphones and through my decent desktop speakers. I was very happy with the sound quality so although I was aware of the Dragonfly Red I hadn’t bothered to upgrade. However…the recent development of Tidal releasing their MQA encoded ‘Masters’ albums started me thinking about the upgrade.
When I listened to the masters on my Dragonfly v1.2 the difference was startlingly significant. MQA has its fair share of detractors (for some good reasons when it comes to proprietary standards etc) but the difference in quality (compared to Tidal HiFi streams, which are Redbook) is enormous. So I caved and ordered the Red…and it’s a big big step up from the previous Dragonfly (v1.2).
Sitting here listening to Fleetwood Mac Rumours on Tidal (masters) and it’s phenomenal. Hard to believe the amount of added detail in everything but the vocal harmonies sound positively live. Hugely recommended, even if you already have a Dragonfly…the red is almost as big a step up as your first Dragonfly was.
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9. Rupert Neve Designs RNHP

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The Rupert Neve Designs RNHP makes headphones sound balanced and captivating. This is the first headphone amp from famed mixer Rupert Neve’s company, and its sound quality is stunning. The sound quality is amazing for a solid-state amp at this price range. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a lot of common features like a gain switch or DAC, but it’s still a great product for the price. It’s a fairly unattractive package, and not the most convenient, but in terms of raw power and sound performance, it’s a great buy.

Specifications

Sensitivity of 93db
Impedance of 35 Ohms
3.5 mm headphone jack

Sample Customer Review… I have many headphone amps/setups — some that cost a few thousand dollars brand new, but this tiny amp has carved a place in my heart. Powerful, clean, and revealing — I have a permanent setup at work with this amp, my Chord Hugo and a pair of MrSpeakers Aeon Flows. It’s a refreshingly energetic yet easy to listen to experience.
Read more at Amazon.com

10. Drop + THX AAA 789

[amazon box=”B08231S6LP” description=” ” rating=”4.5″]

The AAA 789 is the result of an epic collaboration between audio brand THX and consumer website Drop. The AAA789 is perfectly transparent, playing your music exactly how it was recorded. It uses linear bipolar circuitry for a neutral and clear sound. Sadly, this means low-quality recordings sound horrible through it.

Specifications

Reduces distortion by 20 to 40 dB
Equipped with a low-bias class-AB main amplifier

Sample Customer Review… As far as I can tell, this amp works very well, and I am happy with it. The gain knob is handy when you want to quickly and temporarily lower the volume without losing the fine adjustment position. The casing is about 5x bigger than it needs to be considering what’s inside of it but it’s got a very nice design and works as intended without issue so can’t complain at all.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com

11. iFi Hip-dac

[amazon box=”B0842W67F1″ description=” ” rating=”4.5″]

The iFi Hip-DAC provides portable, high-quality sound—plus it looks like a flask. It’s the most compact product that iFi offers, so it’s essentially the skeleton of the Zen DAC but in a smaller, battery-powered package. The aluminum case feels solid, similar to the Chord Mojo.

The sound performance is typical of iFi’s signature subtle, refined audio. There is a lot of great competition around this price mark, such as the Zorloo Ztella or the Cyrus soundKey, but this amp should be a top consideration for the best headphone amp.

Specifications

6 hours of battery life
400 mW max power output from the on-board amplifier
3.5 mm headphone jack

Sample Customer Review… A definite upgrade from my Fiio Q1 Mark II. Better detail and instrument separation than the Fiio. More power than the Fiio also drives all my headphones and in-ears without any problems. Power out of the balanced output is substantial, definitely use the balanced output whenever possible.
The bass boost on the unit is easily the best I have ever used, just enough boost in the bass without being overbearing and bleeding into the mids. Battery life is average, Fiio was slightly better here. For the money, I don’t think there is a better unit at the moment. I highly recommended this DAC/amp to anyone looking for an upgrade or just to get better sound to your headphones.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com

12. Chord Mojo

[amazon box=”B016W1X94O” description=” ” rating=”4.3″]

The famous Chord Mojo shares a lot with its cousin, the Chord Hugo, but it comes with a less expensive price tag. It’s a fairly small amp, but it has room for micro USB, optical, and 3.5mm jack connections. The quality of the product is amazing, it feels durable and built-to-last with its aircraft-grade aluminum casing.

It also lasts around eight hours when charged (depending on your headphones and setup). And the sound is spectacular, full of detail and definition. The final product is solid and full-bodied sounds without any excessive richness in the mids and lows.

Specifications

12 month warranty
Two 3.5mm analogue outputs
Can play audio files up to 768kHz 32bit

Sample Customer Reviews… I could go on and on about all the things this does right vs other DACs in this price range, but I think what’s most important is the music. And the mojo really does the music right in a way I haven’t seen any other DAC in this price range. A sufficiently wide soundstage painted on a pitch-black canvas, the music layered and separated, sounding as it should top to bottom, with an excellent balance in between power and control.
The music is exciting and impactful, but not to the point where control and precision are lost. I think the Mojo does what all should, and that’s get out of your way and present the music as the artist intended so the emotion can shine through. I get absolutely lost in my music with this, and I can take it anywhere with my smartphone. Mobile Joy. Nicely done Chord. If you can handle the investment, your ears will thank you.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com

13. Topping DX7 Pro

[amazon box=”B085DS5J46″ description=” ” rating=”4.2″]

Given the price and the amount of value that this amp is able to offer, it is actually quite impressive. The performance matches some top brands out there while being half the price. Furthermore, it offers a sleek, black but more minimal design if you wish for it to blend in with everything else in the room. It also has a Bluetooth 5.0 option and an ESS DAC ES9038PROchip with optical, Coaxial, and AES inputs supporting 24bit 192khz.

As far as hardware goes, the DX7 offers multiple ports including USB which in turn supports several things. They also have a “preamp” output mode which allows you to adjust the volume either through the machine itself or digitally using left and right channels for perfect sound balance.

Specifications

Supports Bluetooth
Multiple Input Interfaces
Pre Amp application

Sample Customer Review… After researching the market, for a saber pro-DAC-based preamp and headphone amplifier. This provided the best value product. The AES input and the XLR balanced outputs were a big plus.
I was frankly amazed at the difference this made to the sound quality, From a variety of sources, CD, mp3, Spotify all benefit from this.
I have yet to try the headphone out and the Bluetooth functionality.
Do not forget to set the voltage to 110 or 220, per your location. The switch is on the underside of the unit. The fuse saved my bacon.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com

14. Monolith Liquid Spark

[amazon box=”B07JW7NSXT” description=” ” rating=”4.5″]

We’ve already covered the Liquid Platinum on this list, but this is a much, much cheaper option sitting at about 1/6th of the price. This amp is engineered by one of the world’s leading manufacturers with the price in mind, so it may not have as many features but is by far one of the cheapest on this list.

However, that isn’t to say it’s not good. This amp contains DC-coupled technology, laser-matched, low noise audio jfets, and a clean preamp output. They also offer a one-year warranty with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you know it’s a safe buy.

Specifications

1 year repair warranty
Preamp output RCAs

Sample Customer Review… I’ve had a bunch of portable headphone amps and got bored with all of them. Got this after reading the reviews and man does it shine! It powers my Senn HD 6XX beautifully. I plugged it in and connected it to my iBasso Dx120. I have this all set up on my treadmill to work out to but I won’t be able to use the 6XX anymore due to the sweating. Going to ruin the ear pads.
But for just listening without sweating (lol) what a great combo. Love the full-bodied rich sound and power this thing puts out. I did have to turn it all the way up to drive the Senns, but I expected that the iBasso is not that powerful but it does work very well. Runs warm but I don’t touch it while it’s on anyway.
Best headphone amp I’ve had yet.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com

15. Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M

[amazon box=”B08TYMGZNY” description=” ” rating=”4.7″]

The Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M is great for both Bluetooth and wired listening. This amp is both sonically sound and stylish, giving users the best of both worlds. For the price, this amp is hard to pass up. It has everything users could need, from inputs that are compatible with many different listening devices to balanced and unbalanced outputs. This amp really does have it all.

Specifications

2 Coaxial Digital inputs
2 Optical Digital inputs
USB Type-B input
Bluetooth pairing for handsfree listening

Sample Customer Review… Excellent product. Exactly what I needed it to do. Feels very nicely built, the sound is strong and clear. Would recommend. I’m using it as a desktop DAC and headphone amp only. About to pair it with focal clear mg’s, but I’m using cheaper non-audiophile headphones with it currently and it is such a boost from normal sound, I can’t believe these are the same headphones. I can’t wait to pair with the clear mg’s. Very happy with Cambridge products so far.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com

16. Schiit Magni Heresy

[amazon box=”B081Y7D7JK” description=” ” rating=”4.6″]

This amp is high-quality yet affordable. Easy to use and navigate, this amp is great for beginners. However, with the stylish look, quality sound, and versatility this device allows, even experienced amp users will find this one to be great.

Specifications

100% op-amp-based headphone amp
110-120V US power supply
Instant shut down to avoid glitches
Comes with a 2-year warranty

Sample Customer Review… When I saw that there was a new Magni with op-amps I had to try it out. I have had it for 4 days and it is still amazing me with its sound. I have owned the Magni 2, Magni 2 Uber, Magni 3 and Asgard 3, JDS Labs Atom, Monolith Liquid Spark, Archel Pro, and the Heresy is the best of the lot IMO.
I have used the following headphones: German Maestro 8.35, AKG 702, Sennheiser HD58X, Hifiman 400i, Status Audio CB1, Beyerdynamic DT990 and it sounds great with all. The soundstage is wide, great imaging, lively, instrument separation is amazing. The build quality is very solid. It is just so much fun to listen to! Great job Schiit Audio!
Read more reviews at Amazon.com

Buying Guide: Things to Consider When Purchasing a Headphone Amplifier

Use

It’s crucial to know how you intend on using the amplifier. Make sure to determine which sources you’ll be using it for. Some amps pair better with CD or record players, whereas another one may be most compatible with a smartphone. Looking at Amazon reviews can help you navigate which amps are good for your desired purpose.

Portability

This goes hand-in-hand with use. Certain models are easier to carry with you than others. If your plan is to take your amp on the go with you, such as out on runs or grocery shopping, you’ll probably want to look into smaller and lighter models. Some models are best kept stationary, so if you only need it for the home office, you may have some more options.

Length of Life

Like all technology, headphone amps will eventually deteriorate. Knowing how long you’ll need yours around may be important in finding the right fit. Many reviews can tell you how long their amps have lasted them. Looking at these can help determine whether they’re long-lasting or a temporary fix until they can afford something better or upgrade to the next level of the technology.

If you just want a headphone amp to tie you over until you have that extra bit of cash or the next model of your favorite brand comes out, you may save money buying a headphone amp with a shorter lifespan. It can get you through the time period you need and then give you an excuse to buy the one you were really itching for when you bought it!

Price

Knowing your budget is important. Headphone amps are an ever-advancing technology and, like most tech products, can get pricey. While there are many great ones under $100, they may not have the same quality or features as those that cost a bit more. Know how much you’re willing to spend for the level of quality you’re looking for. If you go into your headphone amp hunt knowing how much you’re willing to spend, you’ll be saving yourself a good amount of time.

Personal Preference

Since there are so many brands and models of amps, personal preference does play a role in choosing which one is best for you. While color or design may not have anything to do with the functionality of the product, you may prefer the way one looks over another – and that’s okay! If several meet all of your other preferences, choose the one you like the look of best. The only thing better than a quality headphone amp is a quality headphone amp that matches your style.

Final Thoughts

There was a wide variety of amps in this article, but hopefully, there was an option that suits your needs. If you’re still on the fence about whether or not you need a headphone amp, I strongly recommend buying one. If you can’t afford one of the nicer ones, the budget options will still dramatically improve the sound quality of your headphones. The best headphone amps on this list will bring out better sound than you thought your headphones were capable of.

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