Solid State Amplifier Reviews | Headfonics Audio Reviews

Chord Electronics Hugo TT2 – First Contact

April 10, 2020

Solid State, $1000+, Amplifiers, First Contact

The Chord Electronics Hugo TT2 is a gen 2 high-end DAC, preamp and headphone amplifier. It has 5x the processing power of the original Hugo TT. The TT2 is priced at £3995. Disclaimer: The Chord Electronics TT2...

dCS Bartok – First Contact

Marcus

February 21, 2020

First Contact, $1000+, Amplifiers, Solid State, Sources

The dCS Bartok is a UK manufactured high-end desktop integrated streaming-capable DAC and headphone amplifier. It is priced at $15000. Disclaimer: The dCS Bartok sent to us was purchased and does not have to b...

7.5

Editorial Score

FiiO K5 Pro Review

James

January 19, 2020

Amplifiers, $101-200, Solid State

The FiiO K5 Pro is the latest generation of a solid-state amplifier that started way back in 2012 with the E9 and directly replaces the K9 dock system from 2016. It is priced at $149.99 Disclaimer: The FiiO K5...

9.3

Score

Burson Conductor 3 Review

Michael

December 22, 2019

Amplifiers, Solid State, Sources

The Burson Conductor 3 is a new flagship desktop headphone amp & DAC featuring dual ES9038Q2M, BT5.0 and up to 7.5W of power. It is priced at $1744. Disclaimer: The Burson Playmate sent to us is a sample u...

8.9

Score

XI Audio Broadway Review

Marcus

October 26, 2019

Amplifiers, $1000+, Solid State

The Xi Audio Broadway is a transportable balanced/single-ended Class A headphone amplifier with both AC and battery power supply. It is priced at $2,299. Disclaimer: The Xi Audio Broadway sent to us for the pu...

8.6

Score

Monoprice Monolith™ THX Amplifier & DAC Review

Michael

October 13, 2019

Amplifiers, $401-500, Solid State

The Monoprice Monolith™ THX Amplifier is a mid-fi priced THX certified DAC/Amp combo featuring dual AK4493 and up to 2W of power. It is priced at $499.99 Disclaimer: The Monprice Monolith™ THX Amplifier sent t...

8.4

Score

DROP Liquid Carbon X + SDAC DAC/AMP Review

Michael

September 8, 2019

Amplifiers, $301-400, Solid State

The DROP Liquid Carbon X + SDAC DAC/AMP is a hybrid of the x Alex Cavalli Liquid Carbon X amp and the Massdrop x Grace Design Standard DAC (or SDAC). It is priced at $380. Disclaimer: The Liquid Carbon X + SDA...

Rupert Neve Designs RNHP – First Contact

Marcus

August 31, 2019

Amplifiers, $401-500, First Contact, Solid State

The Rupert Neve Designs RNHP Precision Headphone Amplifier is the debut launch of the company's first-ever dedicated desktop headphone amplifier. It is priced at $499. Disclaimer: The Rupert Neve Designs RNHP ...

8.1

Score

Monoprice Monolith™ Liquid Spark Review

Michael

July 3, 2019

Solid State, Up To $100

The Monprice Monolith™ Liquid Spark is a compact transportable headphone amplifier developed by Alex Cavalli for Monoprice. Disclaimer: The Monprice Monolith™ Liquid Spark sent to us for this review is a paid-...

9.1

Score

Hifiman Jade II Review

Marcus

June 26, 2019

Headphones, $1000+, Amplifiers, Electrostatic, Solid State

The Hifiman Jade II is the company's 2nd generation full-sized electrostatic headphone and solid-state amplifier system. It is priced at $2499. Disclaimer: The Hifiman Jade II was sent to us as a sample in exc...

Hifiman Jade II – First Contact

Marcus

March 29, 2019

Headphones, $1000+, Amplifiers, Electrostatic, First Contact, Solid State

Disclaimer: The Hifiman Jade II was sent to us a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank Hifiman for this opportunity. To learn more about Hifiman product reviews on Headfonics you can click here. ...

8.5

Score

Burson Fun & Bang Review

Marcus

December 23, 2018

Amplifiers, $201-300, Hi-Fi, Solid State

The Burson Fun and Burson Bang are a set of new compact headphone and power amps ideal for near-field speaker and PC solutions. They are priced from $299. Disclaimer: The Burson Fun & Play sent to us are s...

9.4

Score

Xi Audio Formula S Review

Marcus

July 15, 2018

Amplifiers, $1000+, Solid State

The Xi Audio Formula S is a brand new top of the line solid-state headphone amplifier price at $3499. Disclaimer: The Xi Audio Formula S sent to us for the purposes of this review is a sample and does not have...

8.3

Score

Burson Play Review – Ready Player One?

Marcus

June 3, 2018

Amplifiers, $501-1000, Solid State

The Burson Audio Play is an audiophile-level DAC and desktop amp primarily aimed at the gaming community. It is priced from $299. Disclaimer: The Burson Play was sent to us in exchange for our honest opinion i...

7.6

Score

Tempotec Serenade iDSD Review

Marcus

May 6, 2018

Pure DACs, $101-200, Solid State

The Tempotec Serenade iDSD is a 'bang for buck' transportable DAC/Amp with a small slimline profile selling for just $139. Disclaimer: The Tempotec Serenade iDSD sent to us for the purposes of this review is a...

7.8

Score

Aune X1S 10th Anniversary Edition Review

Michael

March 9, 2018

Amplifiers, $301-400, Solid State

The Aune X1S is a mid-sized desktop DAC and amplifier for headphone users but can also drive mid-sized speakers really well. It is priced at $249. Disclaimer: The Aune X1s sent to us for the purpose of this re...

7.2

Score

Samson QH4 Review

Donunus

September 29, 2017

Solid State, Amplifiers, Up To $100

The Samson QH4 is a multi-output solid-state amplifier. The outputs are not wired in parallel for consistent performance under multiple jack loads. It is priced at $69.99 Disclaimer: The Samson QH4 sent to us ...

8.7

Score

The iDAC-6 & iHA-6 By Cayin

Marcus

August 6, 2017

Amplifiers, $501-1000, Pure DACs, Solid State

The Cayin iDAC-6 & iHA-6 are a desktop modular solid-state amplifier and an AKM AK4490EQ DAC implemented DAC. They are both priced at $699 each. Disclaimer: The Cayin T01 sent to us is a sample in exchan...

8.6

Score

Lake People Reference Series Review

Klaus

March 4, 2017

Pure DACs, $501-1000, Amplifiers, Solid State, Sources

The Lake People Reference Series is a desktop headphone amplifier and DAC stackable combo system. It is priced at €800 and €900 for each. Disclaimer: The Lake People Reference Series sent to us is a sample i...

8.9

Score

The Audio Guild EMAC 535SE Amplifier Review

Michael

January 11, 2017

Amplifiers, $1000+, Solid State

The EMAC 535SE is the most recent offering from The Audio Guild, a California-based company run by Steve Eddy and Liam Strain, who are two of the nicest guys I've ever spoken to. They were dead set on fashionin...