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 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 Auris Audio Headonia 300B is a 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.
9.3
Reader's Score
€11999
The dCS Bartok APEX is a significant upgrade on the original and the 2.0 versions of this world-class all-in-one integrated DAC, pre-amp, and headphone amplifier. It is audibly more refined and coherent sounding than what has come before.
9.3
Reader's Score
$22,950.00
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.
9.2
Reader's Score
$5000
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 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 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.
9.1
Reader's Score
£8400
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
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 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
The ZMF Headphones Aegis easily hits the excellent sticker for tube amplifiers we have covered for 2024. It has a beautifully smooth but weighty tone, awesome gear flexibility including IEMs, and looks the 'ZMF business" as only a ZMF piece of gear can.
9
Reader's Score
$3499.99
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
Reader's Score
$4399
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)
The Cayin HA-2A is a very endearing and well-equipped compact tube amplifier for space-conscious audiophiles with a wide selection of headphones and IEMs.
It delivers a rich and smooth sound with a pleasing low-end dense punch and a spacious holographic sound stage best suited to natural-to-naturally tuned open-sounding headgear.
8.9
Reader's Score
$1299
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.
8.9
Reader's Score
£3000 UK $4320 US
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 HIFIMAN Goldenwave GA-10 is a great value tube amplifier, built like a tank, easy to use, and easy on the ear with a spacious presentation that works exceedingly well with a wide range of headphones and IEMs.
8.9
Reader's Score
$1599
The Topping DX9 integrated amp and DAC is an excellent desktop performer delivering a very detailed and punchy sound signature suitable for both IEM and headphones users.
8.9
Reader's Score
$1299
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 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.
8.9
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.
8.9
Reader's Score
$249
The 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
8.9
Reader's Score
$1299
The Cayin iHA-8 Class A headphone amplifier is a great representation of what I consider to be the modern Cayin solid-state 'House sound' and provides a lot more flexibility and dynamism than the older iHA-6 for modern head gear in today's market.
8.8
Reader's Score
$999
The Feliks Audio Echo Vibe is a cracking little OTL tube amplifier with a smooth, surprisingly deep, and emotive sound signature. It works wonderfully well with high-impedance headphones, as you might expect with the open-back BOKEH from ZMF Headphones, a standout pick.
8.8
Reader's Score
€999.00
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 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 Rose Technics is a what I would call a ‘Rolls Royce’ type of mid-fi integrated DAC and headphone amplifier. It’s not the most powerful nor is it the fastest around, but it will supply the listener with audio that’s fit for the modern-day audiophile crowd and does so in stylish apparel.
8.7
Reader's Score
$599
