Best headphone amplifiers 2020: budget and premium

Neiljbp

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May 8, 2020
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Once again the question arises.....................
Which of these products is guaranteed to work with a CHROMEBOOK........
The last time I posted this question, I got ONE response. and that response was all about what worked with Windows and Apple.........Avoiding Chromebook.
See I told you how tricky the question was.
Surely SOMEONE at WHAT HIFI ? must know the answer.....
 
D

Deleted member 188533

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Once again the question arises.....................
Which of these products is guaranteed to work with a CHROMEBOOK........
The last time I posted this question, I got ONE response. and that response was all about what worked with Windows and Apple.........Avoiding Chromebook.
See I told you how tricky the question was.
Surely SOMEONE at WHAT HIFI ? must know the answer.....

I don't know but you might ask the question on the forums. Someone who does know might be able to help you. :)


This is another 'best' list of things previously tested. Not a real 'best' list.
 

doifeellucky

Well-known member
Strange that this list of headphone amplifiers only actually contains one dedicated headphone amp in it. Even that is labelled incorrectly as a DAC/Amp. Then directly below it says it actually doesn't have DAC in it. Get your facts right. Based on the majority being DAC/Amp combos, where is the award winning Zen DAC. I'm increasingly starting to question the hi-fi knowledge of whoever puts these 'lists' together.
 

jayhouse

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Oct 1, 2020
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This is a roundup of dacs mainly focussed on portable use, not a list of headphone amps. Where is the list of products the title promises? A list of items I could integrate in to a home setup where I don’t need a DAC or might already have that covered and want to add headphone use to. The products to upgrade the headphone output on an integrated amp or add headphone use to a turntable etc where I only have a phono stage and a power amp. This is not an uncommon scenario yet nearly every headphone amp or at least list of the best ones just rounds up the same portable DAC/headphone amp combo devices.
 
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Gray

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This is a roundup of dacs mainly focussed on portable use, not a list of headphone amps. Where is the list of products the title promises? A list of items I could integrate in to a home setup where I don’t need a DAC or might already have that covered and want to add headphone use to. The products to upgrade the headphone output on an integrated amp or add headphone use to a turntable etc where I only have a phono stage and a power amp. This is not an uncommon scenario yet nearly every headphone amp or at least list of the best ones just rounds up the same portable DAC/headphone amp combo devices.
I agree with you.
You're better off looking elsewhere if you're investigating amps.
(The two latest Magni 3 variants and the Topping A50S are prime contenders, in their respective price brackets).
 

JR75

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Oct 26, 2022
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Gotta say, the Chord DACs are the cheesiest, tackyist, ugliest audio devices I have ever seen. They might be considered high quality DACs, but they look about as cheap as you can get. I would never buy one. And the Chord Dave (what a stupid name) is not only super cheapo looking, but costs $10,500+ Are you kidding? For a DAC?
 

Ian AV

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Apr 13, 2023
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I discovered the same when trying to find a headphone amplifier as no one seems to know the difference between a headphone amplifier and a DAC with a headphone out. I agree with Gray, Magni are a good choice and value for money, Topping cropped up too when doing my research.
 

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