A headphone amplifier is a low-powered audio amplifier designed specifically to drive headphones instead of loudspeakers. Headphone amps are essential for audiophiles who want to get the most out of their headphones.
While all headphones will work with any source device, using a dedicated headphone amp can significantly improve sound quality. Headphone amps come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from small portable units to large desktop models.
Choosing the best headphone amp for your needs requires careful and extensive research. Therefore, to make you buy the best one here I have reviewed some of the best desktop headphone amp.
Table of Contents
Best Desktop Headphone Amp for 2022
Here are the top 6 best desktop headphone amp that is the best to use. Their pros and cons will tell you which one is the best.
The Audioengine D1 is a portable desktop headphone amp and DAC that offers a wide range of features and great sound quality. It has USB and optical inputs, making it compatible with a variety of sources.
The D1 also supports hi-res audio playback, allowing you to enjoy your music at the highest quality possible. The unit is small and lightweight, making it easy to take with you on the go. However, it does not have a battery, so you will need to plug it into an outlet to use it.
The Audioengine D1 is a great option for those who want a versatile and high-quality headphone amp. It offers excellent sound quality and a wide range of features, making it a great choice for all users.
The Audioengine D1 includes D1 DAC, which makes it incredible for the users. This product is extremely portable due to its small size and weight. You can take it with you anywhere you go without any problem.
It also comes with a USB cable, an optical cable, and a 3.5mm audio cable.
The FiiO K5PRO is a high-resolution portable desktop DAC and amplifier headphone amp that supports 768K/32Bit and native DSD512 for home audio or PC. It has 6.35mm headphones out, RCA line-out, coaxial, and optical inputs.
The FiiO K5PRO desktop headphones amp gives you the best possible sound quality thanks to the ESS Sabre ES9118C chip which delivers an incredible 768K/32Bit and native DSD512 decoding.
The 6.35mm headphone output jack gives you plenty of power to drive even the most demanding headphones with ease while the RCA line-out allows you to connect to your home stereo system for even better sound quality.
This headphone amp offers a wide range of volume levels thanks to the gain switch which can be set to low, medium, or high.
The FiiO K5PRO is powered by a USB Type-C port and can be used with either a PC or Mac. This headphone amplifier is the perfect way to improve the sound quality of your headphones whether you are using them for gaming, music listening, or watching movies.
Pros
High-resolution portable desktop DAC
Delivers incredible sound quality
The gain switch offers a wide range of volume levels
The Douk Audio U3 Mini Class A Headphone Amplifier is a great little home stereo amp that can really improve the sound quality of your headphones. It has a nice, compact design and is very easy to use.
The sound quality is excellent, with good detail and clarity. There is a slight hiss when no music is playing, but it’s not bothersome. The build quality is very good, and it comes with a nice carrying case.
It has a nice, compact design and is very easy to use. The innovative circuit design of the U3 Mini Class A Headphone Amplifier provides a wide frequency response and low noise level. The sound quality is further enhanced by the use of high-quality components, including an ALPS volume control potentiometer.
Pros
Excellent sound quality
Easy to use
Good build quality
Comes with a carrying case
Cons
Slight hiss when no music is playing
Editor’s Choice
LOXJIE A30 Desktop Stereo HiFi Audio Power Amplifier
The Loxjie A30 is a desktop stereo headphone amplifier that comes with a variety of features. It has an Infineon’s MA12070 chip class D amplifier, ES9023 DAC chip, USB/ optical/ coaxial/ RCA/ Bluetooth 5.0 input, and remote control. It’s a great product for those who are looking for a high-quality audio experience.
The MA12070 chip class D amplifier is a great addition to the Loxjie A30. It gives the device the ability to produce high-quality audio with low distortion. The ES9023 DAC chip is also a great feature of the Loxjie A30. It helps to improve sound quality by providing a better signal-to-noise ratio.
The Bluetooth 5.0 input feature is for those who want to use the Loxjie A30 with their Bluetooth-enabled devices. The remote control is also a great addition. It allows you to control the volume and other settings from afar.
The Loxjie A30 is a great choice for those who are looking for a high-quality audio experience.
The FiiO E10K USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier is a high-end desktop headphone amp that offers a number of features and benefits.
It has a USB input that allows you to connect it to your computer or laptop, and it also has an optical input. This means that you can use it with a TV or other device that has an optical output. The E10K also has a built-in microphone, so you can use it for Skype calls or other voice applications.
The sound quality of the E10K is very good, thanks to the built-in DAC. This converts digital audio signals into analog signals, which results in better sound quality. The E10K also has a low-pass filter, which helps to reduce noise.
The amp has a volume control knob, so you can adjust the volume to your liking. It also has a gain switch, which allows you to select between high and low gain settings. The E10K is powered by a USB cable, and it comes with a 3.5mm RCA adapter.
The FiiO E10K is a great option for anyone looking for a high-end desktop headphone amp. It offers excellent sound quality, thanks to the built-in DAC, and it also has a number of features that make it easy to use.
Pros
Excellent sound quality
Has a USB input for easy connection
It has a volume control knob and gain switch
Cons
Some users complain, stop working after a few months.
The only way to get the best desktop headphone amp is to remember what features and specifications you want. So, to make which ones are the most important, here I have mentioned some features that will help you buy the one.
Impedance Rating
First, check the impedance rating. A low impedance amp is around 20 ohms while a high impedance amp is over 100 ohms. If you have high impedance headphones, then you need to get a high impedance amp. If you have low impedance headphones, then you can get away with a lower impedance amp but it won’t sound as good.
Power Output
Secondly, check the power output. This is measured in watts and the higher the watts, the louder your headphones will be able to go. However, you also need to make sure that the amp doesn’t have too much power, as this can cause damage to your headphones.
Compatibility
You need to make sure that the amp is compatible with your headphones. Not all headphone amps are created equal, and some will work better with certain types of headphones than others.
Price
Finally, you need to think about the price. Headphone amps range in price from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand. It’s important to find an amp that fits your budget, but you also need to make sure that it offers good value for money.
With so many different headphone amps on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is the best for your needs. However, by taking into account the features and specifications of each option, for me, Douk Audio U3 Mini Headphone Amplifier is the best.
Now, it’s your turn to decide. Just keep the specifications in mind and make the purchase. Happy Shopping!
