Best products in the Headphone amplifiers category
Here's a ranking of the best products in this category. To give you a quick overview, we've also added some key information about the products.
1. FiiO K11
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of audio enjoyment with the FiiO K11 desktop DAC and headphone amplifier. This technological masterpiece combines perfect balance and brilliant sound quality in a slim housing. The K11 is equipped with a variety of connections including USB, optical as well as coaxial inputs and 4.4 mm, 6.35 mm, RCA and coaxial outputs to provide a comprehensive audio experience. The 1400 mW power rating allows the amplifier to drive hi-fi headphones with ease. The three gain levels and volume curves allow the listening experience to be adjusted to headphones with different impedances. Inside the K11 is a custom audio circuit that delivers impressive sound quality. Precise voltage stabilisation is ensured by the 16 low-noise LDOs, which are powered by an external 12V switching power supply. The K11's timeless, sleek design allows for flexible placement, while the non-slip silicone base provides stability. The high-quality VA display shows all relevant information. The pleasant RGB illumination of the FiiO logo provides quick visual feedback on the sampling frequency of the current audio playback. The FiiO K11 offers user-friendly control via a multifunctional rotary knob that covers all important functions from power on/off to volume control. It also supports a driver-free USB DAC mode on Windows 10 and higher systems, and is compatible with consoles such as the PS5 and Switch. Immerse yourself in a new level of audio enjoyment with the FiiO K11, your desktop hi-fi companion.
2. FiiO K7
The FiiO K7 is a headphone amplifier and DAC in one. Use it as a link between your computer, music player, smartphone, etc. as an input source and powered speakers or headphones as an output source to benefit from a high-quality, space-saving audio system. The THX AAA 788+ amplifier technology achieves a remarkable output of up to 2000 mW and can thus confidently drive any earphones or headphones with both low and high impedance and generate a musically thrilling sound. The two AK4493S digital-to-analogue converters from the Japanese manufacturer AKM process high-resolution audio signals up to 32 bit and 384 kHz as well as DSD.
The pleasantly warm timbre of these DACs with their detailed fine resolution will make you discover and love your music. The many connection options make the FiiO K7 the interface for your audio equipment. Computer, notebook, music player, smartphone, tablet etc. can be connected to the USB input, the RCA inputs as well as coaxially or optically. Cinch outputs are available for connecting speakers. Headphones are connected to the front of the K7 at the 6.3 mm or the balanced 4.4 mm jack. A 6.3 mm to 3.5 mm adapter is included in the scope of delivery so that headphones with 3.5 mm plugs can also be used.
On the front of the FiiO K7 there is a control for two gain settings, so that headphones with different sensitivities can be operated optimally. Another switch can be used to change between the input sources (USB / optical / coaxial / line). The large metal rotary wheel on the front of the K7 allows precise adjustment of the volume. With its solid aluminium housing in discreet black and its compact dimensions, the FiiO K7 fits just as well on the desk as it does in the hi-fi rack.
3. FiiO KA11
4. FiiO BTR15
The FiiO BTR15 can be used both wirelessly via Bluetooth and wired via the USB-C port as a DAC and headphone amplifier. Simply plug your headphones or earphones into the FiiO BTR15 and pair it with your smartphone, tablet or notebook via Bluetooth to enjoy your music in lossless quality and full bandwidth. Alternatively, you can use the BTR15 wired via its USB-C port as a first-class USB DAC for clearly audible sound enhancement for your smartphone, tablet, notebook or computer. Particularly practical: When the BTR15 is connected to a mobile device, the internal battery of the BTR15 is used and the battery of the mobile device is not discharged by the BTR15. When connected to a PC, the BTR15 draws power from the computer and the BTR15 battery is not discharged. The high-quality Qualcomm QC5125 Bluetooth 5.1 chip and the XMOS XU316 USB processor ensure the best possible data transmission at all times. Two integrated ES9219MQ DAC chips ensure high performance in digital-to-analogue conversion and therefore detailed, high-resolution music playback. The BTR15 has both a standard 3.5 mm connection and a balanced 4.4 mm connection for connecting various headphones and earphones. The FiiO BTR15 measures just 32 x 72.2 x 12.5 mm and weighs 37.3 grams. Functions such as skipping tracks, adjusting the volume, play/pause and answering/ending calls can be controlled directly via the buttons on the BTR15. The OLED display makes operation super-simple and shows all relevant information. In addition, the BTR15 can also be controlled via a smartphone with the FiiO Control app (for iOS and Android) installed, which makes it easy to adjust the parametric equaliser, for example.
Headphone amplifiersavailable
CHF158.–
FiiO BTR15
Microphones, gain switch, USB-DAC, Tone control, Display, Bluetooth
5. FiiO KA1
FiiO's super-portable DAC and headphone amplifier connects between headphones and playback device, adds hardly any weight thanks to its lightweight compact design, and instantly improves sound quality and volume levels. The FiiO KA1 comes with a 7cm USB-C cable that is compatible with many smartphones, tablets and notebooks. A USB-C to USB-A adapter is included so the KA1 can also be used on Windows and Mac computers. A wide range of headphones can be connected to the 3.5 mm headphone jack. In addition to Sabre's powerful ES9281AC PRO DAC chip, which supports lossless playback of 32-bit/384 kHz PCM and DSD256, the KA1's aluminum chassis features an RGB light indicator so you can see what sample rate the current song is playing at. The compact design makes the KA1 comfortable to hold and fits nicely in your pocket. Whether you're playing sports, commuting, or at home, the KA1 is easy to use anywhere.
6. iFi Audio xDSD Gryphon
Pure power, pure sound - if you're looking for the perfect digital to analogue converter and amplifier for your favourite headphones, you'll find it hard to go past the xDSD Gryphon. With 32-bit/768kHz Hi-Res Audio, Native DSD512 (Octa-DSD) and MQA (Master Quality Authenticated), it gives you everything you need for crystal-clear playback of your song favourites. With a powerful 1'000 mW and 32 ohms, the Gryphon provides enough power for even the most demanding earphones. While its 4.4 mm connector guarantees you balanced signal playback, the 3.5 mm connector gets the best out of your unbalanced models. Of course, this does not mean that your favourite in-ears have been forgotten: Thanks to iEMatch, you can also enjoy a voluminous, detailed, clear sound on them. But where is the music coming from? The xDSD Gryphon gives you the freedom to choose: Whether USB, S/PDIF or Bluetooth, you decide on your sources yourself and thus remain 100% flexible. Equipped with Qualcomm's QCC 5100 Bluetooth version 5.1, the xDSD Gryphon supports all common wireless formats loss-free and in the best quality. Prefer a cable? No problem! The xDSD Gryphon comes with a USB-A, USB-C and Lightning cable for easy connection to PCs, Macs, Android smartphones, tablets, iPhones or iPads. For the highest quality sound, you'll find the same hybrid Burr-Brown DAC chipset in the Gryphon as in iFi's flagship Pro iDSD Signature. That means unique, crisp sound. In addition, three adjustable filters, Bit-Perfect, Standard and GTO (Gibbs Transient Optimised) give you more options to tailor your audio to your needs, while xBass gives you the bass you want.
Headphone amplifiersavailable
–14%
CHF542.– was CHF629.–
iFi Audio xDSD Gryphon
Bass Boost, USB-DAC, Display, Bluetooth
7. Mackie HM-4
Perfect for studios, rehearsal rooms, quiet stages and more, the HM Series offers everything you need, whether it's a single signal distribution to your band or a more complex headphone distribution. Whether you want to expand your home studio headphone monitoring capabilities or add a robust cue mix distribution, the affordable HM Series offers the sound quality, reliability and flexibility you need to expand your setup. The ultra-compact HM-4 offers a simple and effective way to split a single stereo signal into four pairs of headphones. Perfect for quickly splitting a mobile mix in the studio or even flocking around a tablet to watch a movie at home. The two 19" rackmount models HM-400 and HM-800 offer a flexible and robust headphone distribution for studios, practice rooms and more.
8. FiiO KA2
The FiiO KA2 is a compact DAC and headphone amplifier that instantly improves the sound quality and volume of your smartphone. Connect the KA2 between your headphones and smartphone and you'll hear your music with more detail and volume. The FiiO KA2 is equipped with a seven-centimetre USB-C cable that is compatible with many Android smartphones and tablets. A USB-C to USB-A adapter is included so that the KA2 can also be used with Windows and Mac computers. Suitable headphones are connected to the balanced 4.4 mm of the FiiO KA2. The two powerful CS43131 DAC chips convert the signal from digital to analogue without loss. Audio files up to 384 kHz and 32 bit and DSD256 are supported. The aluminium housing of the KA2 has an RGB indicator light so that you can see at which sample rate the current track is being played back. Whether at home or on the go when listening to music, watching videos or gaming, the KA2 reliably improves the sound quality from your smartphone or computer.
9. iFi Audio Zen CAN
With the Zen CAN, you can finally get the best out of your headphones. With 52 times the power and features you'd only find in high-end products, iFi Audio's amplifier is the best choice if you want to enjoy balanced, rich sound. When you connect your headphones to laptops, smartphones or digital-to-analogue converters, they are often unable to supply the necessary power. By default, such devices output power of less than 1.0 volt, which is nowhere near enough, especially for high-end models. With the Zen CAN, you can finally unleash the full potential of your headphones. The practical amplifier has the circuit design of the professional model Pro iCAN and offers you an output of up to 15.1 volts. This means that even demanding headphones are supplied without any problems. Be surprised how many beats, how many basses and how many sounds you have never perceived before. In its essence, music is always designed to be played loudly through speakers - an experience that is quickly lost when output through headphones. It's this sense of feeling the sound around you and experiencing it to the fullest that the Zen CAN's 3D sound circuitry brings back. Instead of being trapped in ear cups, you as the listener are at the centre of balanced, perfectly balanced sounds. An experience made possible not least by XBass technology. Especially with open headphones, the system compensates for their natural bass weakness, brings rich, low tones into the overall concept and integrates them playfully into your three-dimensional sound experience. Experience the sound of your headphones as you never could before. You can. The Zen CAN.
10. iFi Audio hip-dac2
The hip-dac2 in hip orange is colourful, tech-savvy and a real sound pro! The hip-dac2 bypasses the DAC (digital-to-analogue converter) and amplifier circuits in your smartphone, tablet, notebook, PC or Mac, greatly improving headphone sound. Connect your playback device to the hip-dac2 via USB, connect your favourite headphones or in-ear earphones and the hip-dac2 delivers sound that is bursting with dynamics and detail. The integrated Burr-Brown DAC chip was chosen for its lifelike, highly musical sound quality. Together with iFi's proprietary circuitry, the hip-dac2 delivers outstanding sound quality for all digital audio formats, including bit-perfect PCM, native DSD and MQA. The 16-core XMOS chip, which processes data via USB, offers a high clock rate and plenty of memory. This improves the overall performance of the hip-dac2, so that it can even handle full MQA decoding. A high-quality quartz clock also contributes to a particularly pure, clear sound. Whether you're working in your favourite café or chilling on your daily commute, sunrise or sunset, you'll definitely want the hip-dac2 with you. The amplifier stage can output 400 mW of power, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of headphone and earphone types without sacrificing quality. Even high-impedance headphones are easily driven thanks to an output voltage of 6.3V into 600 ohms (via the balanced output). The PowerMatch function allows the level of amplification to be matched to the load of the connected headphones by perfectly adjusting the input sensitivity and thus the signal strength for your headphones.
