The following Top Reader Voted desktop amplifiers scores are assigned by the readers, (Score) and apply only to all reviews where a slider voting system exists. This list includes all types of desktop amps new and historical, solid-state or tubed, and integrated amps as reviewed on Headfonics.
Please note the list will change dynamically as readers continue to vote. Higher scoring amplifiers will automatically replace lower-scoring amplifiers. They will also continue to change as we progressively work our way through historical reviews and add a voting system.
These lists are not to be confused with our forthcoming Editorial scoring lists which are the best gear as reviewed and scored by our review team. Those lists will form the basis of our Awards at the end of the year. Once the year is completed the Editorial scores will be deleted and the ‘annual top lists’ will start over again.
Top 30 amplifiers as voted on by our readers
The Feliks Audio Envy is an absolute cracker of a tube amp. Yes, it is beyond affordable for many but for owners of the likes of the Susvara, Diana Phi, DCA Stealth, and any demanding headphone it is an almost mandatory demo just to see how well these headphones sing with this creation.
9.3
Reader's Score
€6499
The dCS Lina headphone amplifier is the perfect high-performing partner to its siblings. It's tastefully neutral, very revealing and with enough power to drive every headphone I tested with it. It manages to combine reference level accuracy with an almost perfect harmonic balance to prevent this from ever sounding analytical.
9.3
Reader's Score
£8400
The Chord Electronics Hugo TT2 is an absolute powerhouse of a combo with a highly detailed DAC and a smooth-sounding amplification stage that can handle a very wide range of headphones. Its calling card is timing, precision, and bags of detail but rather than a dull neutral delivery it is perhaps surprisingly musical in its approach.
9.3
Reader's Score
£3995
The Cayin HA-300MK2 is a fabulous sounding 300B SET flagship headphone amplifier. It has that classic slightly sweet or euphonic coloration combined with a seriously impressive holographic staging quality. Neither does it lack power for demanding headphones so dynamic range is never going to be an issue.
9.3
Reader's Score
$4399
The Violectric DHA V590 has a flagship-level amplifier performance with a smooth sounding integrated DAC and a quality volume control upgrade path. The resampleing feature is the icing on the cake.
9.2
Reader's Score
$3499.95
The dCS Bartok is probably the best sounding integrated DAC and headphone amplifier I have reviewed to date in the 10 years we have been operating this website. That is some statement but I will not future proof it because, well, the Bartok is modular, it is firmware upgradeable, and has plenty of legs in it to go on for a few years more and still stay relevant.
9.2
Reader's Score
$17250
The Ferrum OOR on its own is a very good solid-state analog headphone amplifier and preamp. However, paired with the HYPSOS PSU it becomes a great amplifier.
9.1
Reader's Score
$1995 (OOR) & $1195 (HYPSOS)
The Auris Audio HA-2SE is a really excellent sounding headphone tube amp. More than that it is an amp that I find myself wanting to use both on a recreational casual listening level as well as the times when I want to take a more studied approach. It has an enticingly quiet, balanced, and analog-type sound with just a hint of wetness but nothing painfully slow. It is just so easy to listen to.
9
Reader's Score
€2,070.00
Feliks Audio strikes again. Their Eurforia is euphorically neutral. Simple as that. The build quality is excellent and the tube selection they've chosen are fitting of the type of sound they wish to impart to the community.
9
Reader's Score
€1999
Even in a raw state, RME has delivered a formidable DAC/amp combo that is worth more than the asking price. But in the end, once you've gotten used to all the corrections DSP allows, it is nearly impossible to go back. This is a game changer, even for pure music listening!
9
Reader's Score
€1,599
The Ferrum ERCO DAC is neutral to natural, accurate, and articulate. Its amplifier has bags of power to drive just about any headphone you want to throw at it. It is also incredibly simple to operate right out of the box.
9
Reader's Score
€2395
The Formula S is a true top of the line solid-state amplifier. However, it does not shout out flagship through crude power numbers. Instead, it is much more nuanced in how it delivers its quality though it still has plenty of headroom for demanding cans. This is a linear but slightly sweet-sounding amplifier with a huge emphasis on resolution or detail, pace, and dynamic range.
9
Reader's Score
$3499
The Auris Audio HA-2SF is an upgrade in every sense of the word over the older HA-2SE. You get better output power, a palpable upgrade in dynamic range, enhanced resolution, and a sound signature that veers more to the natural and clean side than before.
9
Reader's Score
$2499
This is an excellent, compact, and very unique little high-end amplifier. It does not look like much, perhaps a little utilitarian but stacks beautifully with compact balanced DAC's such as the Topping D90 and the older Oppo Sonica DAC. The balanced design has some excellent grunt with minimal distortion levels and a low sound floor.
8.9
Reader's Score
$2299
Burson aimed way too high and actually hit their mark. They've told me they've set out to become the new alpha of the DAC/AMP world at this price range and they've succeeded. If you like very engaging vocals and a vast imaging experience, this is for you. Hell, they've even got us gamers covered with audiophile needs as well. I can't ask for more.
8.9
Reader's Score
$1744
The Chord Electronics Anni amplifier is a beautifully designed small amplifier with a surprisingly big and joyful sound signature. It has enough power to drive a wide range of headphones so those concerned about being single-ended only should rest at ease.
8.8
Reader's Score
£1195
LTA has done a good job in improving the previous amplifier and it is refreshing to see another company originating from DIY, diving into the realm of headphone amplifiers. The MZ2S is a good pick for those who are looking for something of value while being flexible in finding the right matching for it.
8.8
Reader's Score
From $1235
The Hifiman EF4000 is an elegant headphone amplifier that is simple to use but has a sophisticated sound signature that’s slightly bright tilted, rather neutral, and natural but it punches hard when it has to.
8.8
Reader's Score
$599
Depending on what you’re looking for in an amplifier, the positives of the EarMen CH-Amp are excellent detail retrieval and an impressive dark background. It has tons of power for most headphones out there.
8.8
Reader's Score
$1480
The Wells Audio Dragon is an exceptionally well-built amplifier made of solid aluminum and heavy as can be. It looks great, sounds great, and plays great. It is clear the team at Wells Audio meticulously checked all the boxes we would need and left no real weakness of the amplifier for us to whine over
8.8
Reader's Score
From $1500
The Feliks Audio Euforia 20th Anniversary Edition is easily the smoothest tube amplifier I have heard to date and better sounding than the original Euphoria.
8.7
Reader's Score
$3499
If the M17 was out of your budget then the FiiO K9 Pro ESS is the more affordable and wiser choice for headphone users. You get a very similar coloration and presentation style for one-third of the price.
8.6
Reader's Score
$799.99
As a soundstage nutjob, I love this Conductor 3 Performance. It reminds me of a greatly improved HA160, my favorite DAC of all time. So naturally, this is subjectively excellent for me.
8.6
Reader's Score
$1044
This is a sum of the parts feeling with the iDAC-6 DAC and iHA-6 amp. Apart they are impressive, competitively priced with good specs and well-put-together desktop components. I could happily use either with perhaps the iHA-6 being the more immediately impressive of the two. Together, however, they are outstanding as a system which is how Cayin really wanted these units to be used.
8.5
Reader's Score
$699 Each
The EF6 is $1600 well spent if you are after a powerful amplifier for your planers and inefficient dynamic cans. What surprised me most was the wonderfully lush and smooth sounding presentation particularly when paired with the HE6.
8.5
Reader's Score
$1599
This is a very good balanced and neutral sounding DAC/amp. If you have headphones that have excellent depth of field, I would buy the LCX+LDAC, or at least strongly consider it as your primary amp for the time being. It handles stage forward sound fields extremely well and offers a neutral enthusiast a bit of a break on painful wince and physical impact factor on the treble.
8.5
Reader's Score
$380
Yeah, I already have a feeling this is going to be an excellent outcome for the main review. I was not sure what to expect before my initial impressions. It is a curious branding partnership but it does work and works really well indeed with the Liquid Platinum Amplifier.
8.5
Reader's Score
$799
The integrated balanced headphone amp on the Yulong DA10 has more than enough power and a good level of transparency for modern and classic headphones, both low and high in impedance, to sound very good indeed.
8.5
Reader's Score
$1200
If you love neutrality, this is something you should consider. It has a ton of power via balanced mode and an internal EQ option that can fix problematic treble when the problems do rise up. The imaging factor is pleasantly set up and viable for near-perfect matching with the T1 mark2.
8.5
Reader's Score
$499.99
As a DAC/amp, the SMSL M500 MKII brings a detailed and natural presentation while staying on the safer side of sibilance, which is consistent with what I’ve heard with most other SMSL amps.
8.5
Reader's Score
$439.99