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Headfonics 2020

Top Reader Voted Desktop Amplifiers

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

dCS Bartok Apex Review featured image
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
Chord Electronics Hugo TT2
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
dCS Lina Headphone Amplifier Review
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
dCS Bartok
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
Violectric DHA V590
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.
9.1
Reader's Score
Feliks Audio Envy
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
Auris Audio HA-2SE+ Review featured image
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
Cayin HA-300MK2 Review
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.
9.1
Reader's Score
HIFIMAN Shangri-La Jr
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
Euforia
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
HIFIMAN Prelude Review featured image

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
RME ADI-2 Pro
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
Ferrum Audio OOR
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)
SMSL SH-X Review featured image
If you’re looking for a great opamp-based headphone amplifier, there are not many examples today that can surpass the SMSL SH-X at this asking price. Sonically it’s my kind of headphone amplifier. It’s powerful, clean, speedy, with excellent staging capabilities, and above all else, musical.
8.9
Reader's Score
Xi Audio Formula S
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
Auris Audio HA-2SF
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
Burson Conductor 3
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
Auris Audio HA-2SE
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
Ferrum ERCO Review
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
Cayin HA-2A Review featured image

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. 

8.8
Reader's Score
ZOTL
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
Topping DX9 Review featured image
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.
8.8
Reader's Score
Wells Audio Dragon
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
iFi Audio NEO iDSD 2 Review featured image

The iFi Audio NEO iDSD 2 is what the NEO iDSD should have been all along.

The extra power on tap is a most welcomed implementation. Add to that the Xbass, Presence, and Xspace, plus all the IO and you have a formidable AIO that gives the potential buyer a lot to think about.

8.8
Reader's Score
Rose Technics RT5000 Review featured image
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
Chord Electronics Anni Review
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
Feliks Audio Euforia 20th Anniversary Edition
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
EarMen CH-Amp Amplifier Review
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
Gustard H26 Review featured image
The Gustard H26 surprised me in a very nice kind of way. This solidly built headphone amplifier offers a pleasingly smooth and refined tonal quality with a strong focus on spatial detail, all delivered within a very spacious presentation. 
8.7
Reader's Score
HIFIMAN EF400 Review
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.
8.7
Reader's Score

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