The following Top Reader Voted Portable Amps & DAC 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 portable amps & DACs new and historical as reviewed on Headfonics.
This list also includes portable integrated amp/DAC’s where applicable and those that can be powered purely by a USB connection, (transportable).
Please note the list will change dynamically as readers continue to vote. Higher scoring amplifiers will automatically replace lower-scoring portable amps & DACs. 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 Reader Voted Portable Amps & DACs
The Cayin C9ii is the most complete portable tube amplifier on the market today. It's a big fella, but it delivers big power with a broad range of tuning options to satisfy IEM and headphone users alike.
9.2
Reader's Score
$2399
The Chord Electronics Hugo 2 is a DAC and then some. In some ways, I am convinced the Hugo 2 is the lovechild of the Mojo and Hugo 1 such is the degree of harmony of the two designs. Would the Hugo 2 have been possible without the Mojo? I doubt it.
9.1
Reader's Score
£1,800.00
The Chord Electronics Mojo 2 stock sound feels more accurate and energetic compared to the V1. The new UHD DSP suite is seamless in terms of having no impact on dynamic range and a lack of volume attenuation.
9.1
Reader's Score
£449
The iBasso D17 Atheris is probably the most complete portable DAC and amplifier the company has made to date. Its 'triple flavor' DAC modes and tube amp sound have an unmistakable smooth analog overtone, with plenty of gorgeous vocal bloom or rich and deep bass performances when required.
9.1
Reader's Score
$1999.00
The iBasso PB5 Osprey is a beautifully smooth, weighty and fulsome sounding portable tube amplifier. It has plenty of power to drive demanding headphones and can deftly handle IEMs with ease at the same time. Its probably my favorite portable amplifier I have had the pleasure to review in a while.
9
Reader's Score
$1499
One thing is for sure if you are a planar guy and in particular, an LCD series owner the HPA-01M will sound really magical and will give plenty of high0end desktop systems a good run for their money. They are made for each other both on a power level and performance level.
8.9
Score
$1295
I have to stress that the Chord Electronics Hugo DAC and amplifier is an absolute killer device. But you already knew that because people have probably been telling you that for a while now. It's the Swiss army knife among portable DACs and it has an incredible headphone output (well, three) as well.
8.9
Reader's Score
£1400
The ONIX Mystic XP1 is an extremely capable portable and desktop solution for those looking for a smooth but powerful-sounding high-end amp/DAC in a compact transportable form factor.
8.8
Reader's Score
$1499
The EarMen Angel conceals in its cool form factor an excitingly transparent sound comparable to full-size desktop counterparts that inspires listening on the go with confidence.
8.8
Reader's Score
$799
The iFi Audio iDSD Diablo 2 is certainly a step above the original Diablo when it comes down to sheer detail production and sonic performance in general. One could say it’s also a complete, versatile, portable, and future-proof package with the inclusion of all the new features.
8.8
Reader's Score
$1299
The Cayin C9 is the company's most refined version yet of their DOA and timbre technology inside their portable audio gear. Not only that, but it also revitalizes tubes on the go, a traditional niche in our hobby that seems to be forgotten in the head-long rush to find that one DAP on steroids.
8.8
Reader's Score
$1999
The iFi Micro iDSD Signature series DAC amplifier is a fun machine capable of driving practically every headphone out there while at the same time remaining highly musical and hiss free and taking up a minimum amount of space on a desktop doing so.
8.7
Reader's Score
$649.99
The iBasso D16 Taipan is an outstanding return to form for one of the original pioneers of the portable DAC/amplifier market with its beautifully textured analog tuning and flexibility for a wide range of modern IEMs and headphones.
8.7
Reader's Score
$1499
The xDuoo XD05 Pro is a truly unique portable amp and DAC with the ability not only to change the amplifier cards but also the DAC separately giving you a multitude of performance options.
8.7
Reader's Score
$799
The iBasso Nunchaku is a classy-looking, albeit large dongle DAC with improved controls over the flagship DC-Elite. Its dual-timbre sound system marks it out as the most unique out of all of the company's dongle lineup.
8.7
Reader's Score
$299
The Shanling H7 is yet another excellent modern interpretation of the classic DAC/amp scene that has had a bit of a rebirth in recent years.
This is a neutral sound signature but compared to the likes of the Mojo 2 and the Q7 it's a bit smoother and sweeter-toned and will gel beautifully with clean-sounding headgear.
8.7
Reader's Score
$829
ONIX elevated their game and made the Beta XI2 dual solid-state and tube dongle DAC better than its predecessor in every way, and I’m not knocking the Alpha XI1 in any way, shape, or form.
8.6
Reader's Score
$349
The release of the FiiO QX13 is not just another dongle DAC release; it’s a step forward in this genre. It’s a dongle that I can wholeheartedly recommend to someone who is a desktop audiophile and who is accustomed to listening to high-end gear.
8.6
Reader's Score
$219.99
Producing prodigious amounts of power for even your hardest-to-drive headphones, the EarMen L-Amp portable amplifier and DAC delivers a tube-like liquidity that is sumptuous and precise at the same time.
8.6
Reader's Score
$399
The P5 is the best sounding iBasso out in the market today and the best they have produced to date. It has a very natural sounding tonality with very pleasing timbre that really matches well to rock and metal genres. It works a charm with headphones such as the LCD-2 and a touch of Nile.
8.6
Score
$529
To be honest I care not what comes next on the market at this point because, besides the slight thump on operating the Xbass switch, the iFi Audio xDSD Gryphon is an almost, almost perfect portable solution that can go beyond its duty by also functioning as separate components. The excellent sound quality is just the cherry on top.
8.6
Reader's Score
$499
Such a well-built portable analog amp in 2017 will find itself more niche than the norm but for those who stack, those who have a weaker source and for those who want low noise period then the VorzAMPduo II is one heck of a portable amping choice.
8.6
Score
$799
The Cayin RU9 takes a legacy form factor, mixes it with modern audiophile needs to create a DAC/Amp with impressive, yet very 'tweakable' sound, excellent power output, and all inside a low-profile yet extremely sturdy design.
8.6
Reader's Score
$499
The iBasso DC-Elite is a monster of a dongle DAC with a detailed, clean, and highly dynamic performance that I would not be surprised to hear out of higher-end DAPs. It's a great pairing for equally capable IEMs at almost any price point.
8.6
Reader's Score
$449.00
The ALO Audio Continental Dual Mono has a very musical and rich sound signature that combines the magic of tubes with a little dose of solid-state sensibility to keep it tight and clean enough for both SS and tube camps to enjoy.
8.6
Reader's Score
$1495
I have heard quite a few dongles now in the last few years, and all at a roughly similar $200-300 price range. I have not heard all of them. However, from what I have reviewed to date, the RU7 is probably the best of the lot, both in terms of agreeable timbral coloration and technical prowess.
8.6
Reader's Score
$289.99
On technical merits alone there is not a portable tube amp out there right now that is this small, this well designed and as powerful as the V5. That's the edge ALO brings to the market that could, and should, twist a lot of DAP user's heads in their direction in a positive manner.
8.6
Score
$719
Understated as they look they punch hugely above their portable or transportable weight. If you are veering to bass and want a very portable setup grab the uHA-120 and if you want something a bit more detailed and resolving then the AHA-120 is going to cover a lot of genres very well indeed for the demanding audiophile.
8.5
Reader's Score
Discontinued
The Chord Electronics Mojo is one of the best all-around portable DAC/Amps made with all the correct connectivity on offer for modern devices and audio quality that should please a large audience most of the time.
8.5
Reader's Score
$599
We need more portable tube amplifiers such as the Chimera and fewer 'tune by numbers' creations. Something with a bit of character and purpose. It fills an obvious gap below the Cayin C9 and gives you a lot more flexibility compared to the cheaper BA300s from Oriolus.
8.5
Reader's Score
$895.09
