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 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 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.
9.2
Reader's Score
£8400
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 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.
9.2
Reader's Score
$4399
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.
9.2
Reader's Score
£3995
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.
9.1
Reader's Score
€6499
The Auris Audio HA-2SE+ is the perfect balance between the original's charming tonal quality and the HA-2SF's more aggressive but also more neutral tuning. It is beautifully refined and energetic with a smattering of welcome tube sweetness making it a very engaging SET headphone amplifier.
9.1
Reader's Score
€1299.00
The HIFIMAN Shangri-La Jr amplifier is an excellent performer with a wide range of electrostatic headphones. It excels in PRaT and bass extension with plenty of drive to deliver what I would define as a 'big' sound with a slightly rounded tone to its instrumental and vocal timbre.
9.1
Reader's Score
$5000
The HIFIMAN Prelude is a truly excellent solid-state analog amplifier and a fantastic match for the likes demanding headphones that people often pair with far more expensive equivalents.
It's got power, bags of it, and all mated to a very smooth and agreeable sound signature.
9
Reader's Score
$2499
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 Schiit Asgard did not disappoint, it just did not offer the characteristics I was looking for this time around. For others, though this will appeal greatly.
9
Reader's Score
$249
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
Reader's Score
$1995 (OOR) & $1195 (HYPSOS)
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
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.
8.9
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.
8.9
Reader's Score
$2499
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 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.
8.9
Reader's Score
€2,070.00
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
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
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.
8.8
Reader's Score
$439.99
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
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.
8.7
Reader's Score
$1480
The Feliks Audio EUFORIA evo is an elegant OTL amplifier tailor-made to give you a smooth embracing tone and one that works wonderfully well with high impedance dynamic driver headphones such as the ZMF Headphones Atrium and the Focal Utopia 2022. I could listen to these enjoyable combos for hours without fatigue.
8.7
Reader's Score
€2699
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.
8.7
Reader's Score
£1195
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.
8.7
Reader's Score
$2299
I love the amplifier inside the Auris Audio Euterpe. It is a relatively neutral to slightly sweet tone, very low on noise and can scale with a great source. The power is middling, not as strong as some solid-state contenders but for modern planars and dynamic headphones, it does perfectly fine. As a tube headphone amp, it has a subtle contrast to its bigger slightly richer sibling, the HA-2SE.
8.6
Reader's Score
€899
With an extensive list of features and looks to match, the YULONG DA-ART Aurora has also been fitted with a commanding 4W capable Class A amplifier that accomplished whatever I asked. There may be trivial hiccups in technical proficiency but its respect for the tonal balance more than makes up for it.
8.6
Reader's Score
$520
The Topping PA7 may lack the same boldness suggested by the power rating it has in reserve, but in any case, it still has proven itself to be a stunner.
8.6
Reader's Score
$449
