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If you’ve spent the money for good headphones, a dedicated, the best headphone amplifier can make your headphones sound much better than simply plugging them into your computer, phone, or, depending on the quality of your internal headphone amplifier, your hi-fi components. External headphone amplifiers are designed to be placed between the source/amplifier and the headphones to closely separate the hi-fi, and can also serve as the basis for a compact and effective desktop hi-fi system.
You wouldn’t think that headphones would require any special equipment to function. You plug them in, turn on your device, and music begins to play. But what if you don’t want to simply listen to your music? But what if you really want to hear it? A good headphone amp will be required to increase the level of signal that reaches in your ears.
These small devices will boost the volume and detail of the signal from your music player. The better news is that you do not have to spend money to get one; we can assist you with whatever you’re looking for. We’ve compiled a list of the best headphone amplifiers including budget, mid-range, and high-end models.
Here is the list of Best Headphone Amplifiers
Chord Mojo 2
The long-awaited reengineered successor to the original, which was released in 2015 and burst onto the scene as a game changer that set a true benchmark in the then-nascent world of portable DAC/headphone amplifiers. those familiar with Chord’s most affordable offerings will know that the Chord DAC is the most affordable DAC in the world. You’ll notice that the aesthetics have not been completely overhauled for the sequel, but significant progress has been made in other areas to maintain its status as the pinnacle of portable DACs.
While the Mojo 2 can certainly boost the performance of a hi-fi system, some system boost seekers may prefer a dedicated system alternative with more appropriate connections. However, for those looking for a primarily portable or desktop DAC solution in this price range, the decision to choose the Mojo 2 or not will be much simpler. What about current Mojo owners, Chord has left us with no choice but to recommend an upgrade. Still, it is one of the best Headphone Amplifiers that you can consider.
IFI PRO IDSD AMP
This year, became very familiar with the iFi Pro DSD, and the more we use it, the more we are blown away by how good it is. It is MQA and DSD ready right out of the box, and while it lacks Bluetooth connectivity, it does have WiFi, which is better suited to streaming high-resolution music. iFi has implemented global master timing to reduce jitter and remove artefacts from audio outputs. It also has a cutting-edge Burr Brown quad DAC unit for decoding, which is highly regarded in audiophile circles.
This enables decoding of DSD 512, PCM 768, and MQA formats, ensuring that no detail is lost due to the DAC or Amp unit. In terms of the amplifier. This has the capability of utilising both solid-state implications and tubes, allowing the user to further refine their listening experience. It’s a powerful headphone amplifier with fantastic hardware and feature sets, making it feel like it’s worth every penny of its over-$2000 asking price.
Schiit Audio Magni
You most likely think we’re insane. What are we doing, putting a amp at the top of a list of four-figure beasts? However, no headphone amp has wowed us more in the last year than the Magni. It will be the thing that kicks music up a notch and gets you obsessive to this hobby for beginners. For die-hard audiophiles, it’s practically a no-brainer – one that will keep you coming back for more.
There are two models to slect from: the Magni 3+ and the more expensive Magni Heresy, each with its own internal circuitry. It’s incredibly easy to use, produces incredibly smooth sound, looks great, and can power just about anything. Our only criticisms are the large, wall-wart power supply and the requirement for a separate DAC. If you want something more powerful, the company makes a variety of other amps, but this is by far our favourite. Currently, this is one of the best Headphone Amplifiers that you can buy right now.
Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M
The DacMagic 200M is a no-brainer if you’re looking for a DAC that packs a multitude of useful features into a visually appealing and acoustically astute package, especially at this price. the DacMagic 200M is designed to work with any hi-fi or desktop system with enough features. A variety of digital inputs accommodate a wide range of sources, and aptX Bluetooth is also included.
Balanced and unbalanced outputs, headphone output, and support for high-resolution audio cover nearly every feature. The sound is characterized by a rich, smooth tone and an open, expressive, yet authoritative sound, known as the Cambridge Sound. You won’t want to ignore this talented all-rounder.
FiiO BTR5
If you are looking for a great portable headphone amplifier, look no further than FiiO. The company’s BTR series has long been the standard, and the latest model, the BTR5, is a powerhouse. Clean, balanced sound and a lightweight (less than 2 ounces) enclosure make it extremely portable, and features include Bluetooth 5.0, full app control, and one-touch pairing with smartphones. It has all the quality you would expect from a portable amplifier, and if you want to improve the sound of your audio on the go, there is no better choice.
The BTR5’s DAC chip ES9218 is excellent, but it does suffer from occasional lag in Bluetooth mode. Frequently, the time between pressing the play button on a song and hearing the music can be as little as two seconds. This does not happen all time, but it is annoyingly frequent. Other wired headphone amplifiers do not have this problem.
If you are looking for an even less expensive option, it is worth noting that there are other models in the lineup, such as the BTR3 and BTR1K. These have fewer features, but sound almost as good at a much lower price. Mostly, this is one of the best headphone amplifiers you should buy.
Willsenton R8
Easily one of the best Headphone Amplifiers available on the market, The Willsenton R8 is not cheap, but it feels like exceptional value, and it is one of the tube amps for headphones on the market. It’s one of these products that we can’t say enough good things about, and every time we listen, we’re blown away by how detailed and full our music sounds. When combined with a good set of headphones, tube amplification truly is something special.
The sound is rich and spacious, with that excellent tube amp presence providing slight warm analogue tones to the midrange while allowing the low-end to growl. We also liked how the sound could be switched between multiple modes depending on the configuration of the tubes, making it a very versatile headphone to tune with different headphones. Aside from power and features, if you have the money, the Willsenton R8 is an excellent purchase that is difficult to beat.
Lotoo PAW S1
Lotoo’s neutral but natural house sound pervades the PAW S1. It adds weight to instruments and musicians while also providing superior technical abilities. As a simple DAC/Amp dongle solution, I believe it is unrivalled. People who do not see the benefit of a Digital Audio Player but still want a higher quality experience should consider the Lotoo PAW S1.
Aside from the great sound, you also get excellent EQ/ATE pre-settings for your current situation and two gain settings if you need to go to eleven. Remember that the PAW S1 is very sensitive to the quality of your music files. Resampling should be avoided. For us, the PAW S1 is an excellent replacement for my DAPs. Even so, it won’t be able to replace our PAW 6000 when we’re out and about.
Final Words
Headphone amplifiers provide power to the drivers in the same way that an amplifier does for a pair of passive speakers. In some cases, depending on the source, your headphones may lack volume or clarity; if this is the case, you should consider investing in a dedicated Best Headphone Amplifiers.