10 Best Headphone Amplifiers

An inexpensive headphone amplifier with a DAC and the ability to connect to an iPhone without adapters - there is a Lightning cable included. The manufacturer has made this model easy to use with a smartphone: the device is compact and lightweight. The upper frequencies are colored, so the feed cannot be called absolutely natural. The mids sound as natural and pronounced as possible.Bass and boost can be adjusted. Please note that in conjunction with a PC, this amplifier will not give a special increase in volume and sound quality, but with a smartphone due to the DAC, the progress will be clearly expressed.

The headphone amplifier has a built-in dual-channel DAC that is capable of processing the highest quality PCM signal (up to 380 kHz/32 bits), producing a powerful sound output that opens up all the facets of music. The device is equipped with a large number of connectors, which indicates its incredible ergonomics. Two 3.5 ports Line Out and Line In allow the user to independently choose the sound quality - when connected to the first port, the DACs are not used, the music sounds without any processing, and using the second input, you can pump any track and feel the full power of the converter. The case also houses a microUSB connector (for Android devices) and a full-sized USB port (for a flash drive, PC, or Lightning cable).

This is a portable DAC and amplifier in one package. There are a lot of features, high power and a strange form factor. On specialized forums, this headphone amplifier received a lot of praise. The DAC can play the role of not only a portable, but also a stationary device. The coaxial-optical input can also work as an output - in this case, the device will work as a signal converter. The USB connector on the side allows you to use the device as a power bank for your smartphone. The battery capacity is enough to listen to 10 hours of music from headphones at 32 ohms.

Inexpensive portable headphone amplifier. Ideal for those who have good headphones, and they sound great in conjunction with a computer, but play quietly and flatly with a smartphone.In this case, M-Audio Bass Traveler will save you. The compact device will reveal the potential of your wearable acoustics. There are two headphone jacks at once, so you can listen to music from 2 different models at once. There are 3 modes of operation: the first increases the volume, but leaves the bass at the same level, the second increases the bass to an average level, the third adds the bass to the maximum. This is the best option for using with a smartphone.

According to music industry professionals, Questyle CMA-800R is also one of the best headphone amplifiers. A unique feature of the gadget is current amplification, which minimizes the distortion of the reproduced sound. A similar technology is used in video processing and high-speed communications, the American manufacturer was not at a loss and adapted it for audio equipment by patenting a novelty under the Questyle brand. This headphone amplifier belongs to the luxury models, this is echoed by the cost, which is inaccessible to most users. But the price is quite justified - the gadget works with headphones with any impedance, giving out a very powerful, incomparable sound.

This is an amplifier with a built-in wireless DAC. It works like this: it receives a digital signal via Bluetooth, converts it to analog and transmits it via wires to speakers or headphones. In addition, the model can also perform indirect functions: for example, it can be a digital source via coaxial / optical paths and act as a full-fledged DAC via an RCA input. And important: this amplifier is compact, mobile and can work on a single charge for a full day. The model is ideal not only for connecting to a smartphone, but also to devices that cannot play sound wirelessly. And with SMSL B1, they have such an opportunity.

It's almost a portable DAC and headphone amp in one package. The model was released in 2020 and is still relevant - it can work with balanced headphones, in which both channels are connected separately. The delivery set is surprisingly rich, and this partly explains the high cost of the product. In the box, in addition to the amplifier itself, there are cables for Walkamp and speaker with two 3.5 mm jacks, rubber rings and gaskets, as well as micro-USB for connecting to a smartphone. The sound of the PHA-3 is detailed and without pronounced accents - it is neutral. With Sony headphones, this model is revealed especially well.

This is an amplifier that can be connected to up to 8 amplifiers to organize voice chat between members of the same gaming team. The model supports 7.1 surround sound, so the device is also suitable for fans of gaming and VR. The volume is adjusted separately in the game and voice chat, which is convenient.You can quickly switch between speaker and headset. There are equalizer presets that allow you to improve the quality of speech, music, and even out the frequency response. As a bonus, the manufacturer gives a 2-year warranty. The amplifier is a USB sound card and no drivers are required for it to work. Everything works great on both Windows computers and Macs.

A less powerful headphone amp than the others on our list, but cheaper and with surprisingly long battery life. So, you can listen to your favorite tracks that have been truly revealed for 23 hours. Another important feature is the presence of a screen that displays the current frequency of discrediting. Nuance - a smartphone can only be connected via an OTG cable, and your phone must support such a connection. Also, the reviews warn that all the functions of this amplifier from an Android smartphone can only be evaluated using the USB Audio Player PRO.

One of the best entry level amps with a decent DAC. The model wins back all the money and even more: users get a wide detailed musical picture in the entire frequency spectrum. High-impedance headphones, they say in the reviews, sway with difficulty with the Fostex HP-A3 - the detail drops, but the sound is still good. A powerful feature is the simple switching of the source and output of the sound. No need to switch cables, just press the button - and already the music plays not from the speakers, but from the headphones. The dimensions of the box do not allow us to call the amplifier portable, it is not suitable for use on the go.