Top Gear 2025 Awards – Best Desktop Tube Amplifier
The Auris Audio Headonia 300B is a high-end modern tube headphone amplifier capable of world-class performance levels. It delivers a neutral-to-natural tuning with excellent speed and incredible levels of dynamic range within a spacious and immersive soundstage.
It has the power and flexibility to handle any headphones paired with, as well as some IEMs, though we do not think this should be considered as an ideal IEM amplifier in general, as microphonics are a thing at such sensitive levels.
This is also a huge amplifier with excellent build quality and an eye-catching, racy, urban-like design language.
You will need to give it plenty of space, whether it’s just for headphones or slipping it into a Hi-Fi setup. Once integrated, we have no doubt this amplifier will be a huge, positive talking point for anyone who casts their gaze on it in 2025.
Auris Audio Website | Bloom Audio USA
Top Gear 2025 Awards – Best Desktop Solid-State Amplifier
The Chord Electronics Alto is a compact yet seriously heavy-hitting and pleasingly resolving headphone amplifier.
It has the chops to handle anything you throw at it, and combined with the right DAC choice, more sensitive IEMs are also possible.
As a headphone amplifier, the Chord Electronics Alto is a seriously heavy-hitting yet pleasingly transparent sounding.
It has the chops to handle anything you throw at it, and combined with the right DAC choice, more sensitive IEMs are also possible. It sounds big too, with excellent depth, a weighty bass response, and firm, upfront vocal performances.
It’s also a surprisingly compact desktop or rack device. Given its Pro audio heritage, the looks are typically tough and sturdy, so it feels like it can take a beating.
And yet, it’s undeniably a Chord Electronics design with copious brightly colored orbs and a remote control to save those who want the choices immediately clear to them out of the box.
This was a smart move from Chord to offer this amp to the wider audiophile community. Compact, powerful desktop amps that can drive big planar headphones with aplomb are a definite plus in our book.
Chord Electronics Website | Hifisound UK
Top Gear 2025 Awards – Best Desktop DAC/Amp
2025’s Topping DX9 Discrete desktop DAC/Amp is a worthy successor to the DX9. It retains many of the original’s excellent capabilities, but replaces the polished, clean tone of its predecessor with a smoother, more authoritative analog sound signature
You still get a powerful headphone amplifier that can handle almost any headphone, individual lineout, and preamp options for maximum flexibility, and wireless LDAC receiving should you wish to retain a degree of flexibility.
The new onboard DSP and link-up with the Topping Tune software have real value add, allowing you to store multiple profiles for almost any headphone out there. You can even create your own or tweak existing ones to how you like any headphone to sound.
Nothing is perfect. The change in the I²S pin configuration renders Cayin transports such as the N7 and N8ii micro-HDMI ports incompatible. That is a shame.
The new menu UI is more granular, but could overwhelm newcomers, especially when trying to understand how to use Topping Tune.
Aside from that, the DX9 Discrete performance-to-price ratio is very strong and answers a few queries we had from the original after over a year of solid use.
Topping Audio Website | Bloom Audio USA
Top Gear 2025 Awards – Best Desktop DAC
The Cayin iDAC-8 is a lovely little desktop DAC that successfully takes the company’s previous timbre control vision to the next level. Compared to the iDAC-6 MK2, it’s a more natural and spacious-sounding decoder, and to my ears, it is more true to the current Cayin house sound.
Of course, Cayin wants you to pair it with the iHA-8 amplifier, but if the budget is tight, it’s a worthy standalone DAC for almost any other amplifier, particularly with its PRE controls, which give it a little bit of additional control over stepped-only attenuators.
If there is criticism, it is more to do with the function set around the new menu system and the plainer OLED monitor. Yes, it is bigger and easier to read, but the shortened menu pop-up timer combined with the blander visuals, makes you wonder if more could be done here.
Otherwise, this is a competitive offering in 2025, superior to the now 6-year-old iDAC-6 MK2, and should provide a worthy demo option for anyone looking for a decent, smooth-sounding delta-sigma DAC for their system.
Cayin Website | Zeppelin & Co Website
Top Gear 2025 Awards – Best Wireless Streamer
The Eversolo DMP-A6 Gen 2 has an impressive design, excellent software, and a satisfactory analog output, though I found it at its best when used as a digital source.
Its compact size is ideal for connecting to other desktop headphone amplifiers or decoders, and it features a highly versatile array of functionalities, including built-in features and a mature, customizable UI design.
There are some more affordable streamers out there, but the maturity of the software, as well as applications support, is not as convincing.
For those who prioritize XLR output performance, you can top up a little for the Master Edition, which includes femto clocks and higher-grade op-amps in the amplification circuitry.
However, if you plan to pair it with another DAC and simply need the system features, the DMP-A6 Gen 2 works like a champ.
Overall, the DMP-A6 Gen 2 is very professionally designed and delivers the best UI and mirror-control experience we have tried in 2025.
Its rich streaming features, along with highly developed applications and local playback capabilities, are outstanding and would be a good fit for anyone looking to build a streaming media center or a music library for their desktop system or small hi-fi setups.
Eversolo Website | Eversolo Amazon USA
Top Gear 2025 Awards – Editor’s Choice
The Dan Clark Audio NOIRE XO is an excellent benchmark for open-back planar headphones at this price point.
It does things a little differently from the closed-back X, eschewing the generally high-contrast, more explosive sound of the former for a smoother, more agreeable sound signature that pairs with a far wider range of amplifiers.
The Dan Clark Audio NOIRE XO is an excellent benchmark in 2025 for open-back planar headphones at this price point.
It does things a little differently from the closed-back NOIRE X, eschewing the generally high-contrast, more explosive sound of the former for a smoother, more agreeable sound signature that pairs with a far wider range of amplifiers.
The aesthetics have plenty of drip-down influences from the flagship EXPANSE; the form factor is lightweight and probably even more comfortable than the X, with a slight reduction in clamping pressure.
With that smoother tuning, improved clamping, and the hybrid breathable pads, I got the feeling DCA was aiming to convince you to keep the NOIRE XO on your head for a very long time. They have a valid point here as to why that should be the case.
Dan Clark Audio Website | The Source AV USA
Top Gear 2025 Awards – Writer’s Choice: Lynn
Coming into this review, I already held the FoKus Apollo in high regard, so my expectations were high. All of those expectations were met with the FoKus Prestige Encore TWS.
The low-end has excellent reach and grunt, without becoming bloated. I mention (repeatedly) how that low-end filters into the midrange instead of bleeding.
This is a rare case where the extra low bits help to make the midrange better than its singularity. Plus, the midrange is sumptuous in character, without becoming melancholic or muddy.
The vocals come across with energy and emotion that combine to make an organic nature to it that involves the listener. We become part of the whole, instead of simply listening.
This is a rare treat when combined. Throw in the excellent instrumentation, and you have the making of an excellent sound signature.
Noble Audio Website | Audio 46 USA
Top Gear 2025 Awards – Writer’s Choice: James
The FiiO FT7 is the most well-built pair of headphones that I have handled from China thus far. The bold material usage, understated luxury, premium accessories, and stock cable come together to create a delightful user experience.
The swappable earpad system is also a very practical feature, allowing you to switch between two sound signatures instantly to match your preferences and gear, with both tunings sounding rather mature and natural.
The FT7 is not difficult to drive, and it sounds adequately dynamic and natural even when powered by weaker sources.
At this price point, it is hard to identify any major flaws in the FT7; the cable, carrying case, and everything in the package meet a very professional standard, making the overall appeal outstanding.
It is a solid recommendation and a great pairing with the K19 amplifier for those who are looking for a cool design and strong technical performance in 2025 and beyond.
FiiO Website | FiiO Amazon USA
Top Gear 2025 Awards – Writer’s Choice: Louis
With the release of the Grand ORIVETI Supremacy in 2025, the company has demonstrated that they’re more than just a budget IEM maker and are capable of great things. From now on, I will certainly consider them to be a serious contender in the high-end IEM tier.
Not only is the Grand ORIVETI Supremacy a premium, luxurious-sounding IEM, but it also provides one of the best IEM unboxing experiences I’ve had to date. This set is well-accessorized except for the limited connectivity.
Ultimately, what stands out to me is that the Grand ORIVETI Supremacy delivers enjoyment, not just purely technical performances. It’s the kind of IEM I could put on and just get lost in the music.
For anyone who values a well-rounded listening experience without feeling like they’re constantly analyzing the sound, the Grand ORIVETI Supremacy offers just the right amount of everything, sonically speaking.
ORIVETi Website | ORIVETI Amazon USA
Top Gear 2025 Awards – Writer’s Choice: Nihal
Since my introduction to the Ra, I had been following the releases of Alpha Omega and had been in touch with Clement about all that he was planning.
Omega had always intrigued me, and I waited patiently to get a unit. If Ra is a glimpse of what Clement can build, 2025’s Omega is a full-blown revelation.
The Omega surprised me in many ways. Firstly, the bass, with tons of detail and texture, is one of the most spectacular I have ever tried. The sheer quality leaves a lasting impact every time I listen to them.
The clean timbre, the detailing, and the resolution truly justify its flagship status. The treble pushes the boundary of extension and detail without any hint of harshness.
With its warm midrange and smooth sound, Omega solidifies the emotional and musical sides but does not sacrifice the technical side at all. The wide, spacious soundstage, along with well-separated sound, balances the technicality well.
I wish they had paid a bit more attention to the tangibles, as a bit more premium packaging and accessories would have taken things to new heights.
Despite these lacking whims and fancies, if you prioritize sound, you are well served, and the premium price is rightfully justified.
Alpha Omega Website | Musicteck USA
Top Gear 2025 Awards – Writer’s Choice: Meldrick
The HarmonicDyne BAROQUE is a well-built pair of open ear headphones with a lush, warm sound signature that balances good detail and resolution with class-leading efficiency and drivability.
Those looking for the pinnacle of detail resolution and cleanliness may need to look elsewhere. The BAROQUE excels in its ability to play back music in a relaxed, dynamic manner while preserving good details and texture.
With how easy it is to drive, any listener with a preference towards warm, leaning sound signatures and pinpoint instrument imaging should give the BAROQUE a listen, even if they don’t necessarily have full desktop-class amplification.
HarmonicDyne Facebook| Linsoul
Top Gear 2025 Awards – Writer’s Choice: Kurt
The XENNS Mangird Top Pro stands out in 2025 for its superb refinement, natural tonality, and impressive technical ability from top to bottom.
Its tuning delivers a combination of clarity, balance, and musical engagement that makes every detail easy to appreciate without sounding clinical or dull.
It manages to be both revealing and enjoyable, offering a sense of spaciousness and layering that puts it ahead of many in its class.
It’s a complete package that’s hard to fault, with strengths that make it an easy recommendation that some could say is endgame-worthy for what it offers.
Top Gear 2025 Awards – Writer’s Choice: Marcelo
I must say that Tipsy really fulfilled its promise in 2025 of having a reference level, monitoring IEM in the M5. I will be using it as my reference monitor when evaluating songs and other IEMs for comparison.
And before you say it’s a Harman-tuned sound, it’s not. A Harman-tuned sound has a more upper midrange and less upper treble presence, and it is more fatiguing due to the upper midrange elevation in response. The M5 does not sound like that at all.
However, I wish there were just a tiny bit of reduction in response in the upper treble, as that made the M5 slightly picky for source pairing. The M5 easily exposes most cheap sources’ less-than-stellar upper treble quality.
Still, it is rare to find a reference-level monitoring IEM these days, as most follow a certain tuning, sound style, or house sound, which adds flavor to the sound. The Tipsy M5 is one of the least colored-sounding multi-driver IEMs I’ve heard and thus earns my recommendation.
Tipsy Audio Website | Tipsy Amazon USA
Goodbye 2025!
As with the conclusion of every successful year on Headfonics, we would like to thank all the readers who have visited our site, read our content, and enjoyed our reviews.
Your views and opinions matter to us, and I do hope that you enjoyed what we had to offer for 2025.
Without you, the reader, we would cease to matter, so thank you once again from James, Louis, Lynn, Nihal, Kurt, Marcelo, Meldrick, and me.
Look out, as always, for our scoring page for any changes, and check our Gear Ranking section on the home page for those all-important annual updates in January 2026.
For now, we hope you have an enjoyable ending to the year for everyone, wherever you are and with whatever you have!
