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Best Portable Headphone Amp 2024 -Reviews And Buying Guide

The term “headphone amp” can sound really confusing for non-audiophiles, given that regular amplifiers are commonly used only with guitars or other electric instruments. However, it makes sense that if you spend more than $100 on a pair of hi-fi headphones, you’d want to squeeze out every ounce of performance from them. As it turns out, portable amplifiers are really crafty devices which when paired with high-quality headphones, can act as a standalone sound card and boost the performance of the cans.

As their name suggests, these devices are used to amplify the analog signal that goes from the music player to your headphones, so that you can listen to your music and games with increased quality. However, this is only one of many functions that amplifiers can perform, as amplifiers also allow you to increase the volume past the limit of what standalone headphones could, due to their increased signal output. Furthermore, external amplifiers can provide more power than those installed into most headphones, which means that they can be used to drive the more power-hungry headphones such as Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7b, which can deliver up to 300 ohms of impedance.

Read Related Article: Best Small Tube Amps

Now, keep in mind that all headphones require an amplifier to power them, no exceptions. To this end, each and every pair of headphones available on the market come equipped with their own onboard amplifier. Unfortunately, in most cases, said internal amplifiers are only designed to provide the absolute minimum so that the headphones can function adequately. That being said, by purchasing an external amplifier, be it portable or any other kind, you are effectively supplying your headphones with more power so that they can perform like they were designed to in the first place.

Here are the top 10 best portable headphone amps of 2024:

Model Impedance Support (Ohms) Battery Life ​
OPPO HA-2 16 – 300 13 hours analog / 7 hours digital View Price on Amazon
Peachtree Audio SHIFT 16 – 250 8 hours View Price on Amazon
Cambridge Audio DacMagic XS 12 – 300 N/A View Price on Amazon
Fiio E17K ALPEN 2 16 – 150 15 hours View Price on Amazon
TEAC HA-P50 12 – 600 8 hours View Price on Amazon
FiiO A1 Silver 160 – 1000 13 hours View Price on Amazon
Creative Sound Blaster E5 12 – 120 8 hours View Price on Amazon
Creative Sound Blaster E1 16 – 600 8 hours View Price on Amazon
M-Audio Bass Traveler 16 – 100 8 hours View Price on Amazon
       

1. OPPO HA-2 Portable Headphone Amplifier & DAC –  Best Portable Headphone Amp

Best Headphone Amp

[amazon fields=”B00UW0BP48″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”OPPO HA-2″ image_align=”center”]

OPPO HA-2

With mid to high range studio headphones, this amplifier really shines. Definitely worth the higher price tag.

Let’s kick off this list with one of the best headphone amps we’ve ever gotten our hands on. The HA-2 is definitely among the priciest models on this list, and it provides similarly high quality to its users. The difference this amp can make when listening to music or watching a movie with mid to high-range headphones is simply amazing; the increase in sound quality is more than evident. This portable amplifier is equipped with an ESS Sabre32 Reference ES9018-K2M DAC chip, which is compatible with most systems, from Windows and Mac to Android and iOS phones. Furthermore, this amp comes with two pairing settings right out of the box to increase compatibility with most headphones. And, as if that wasn’t enough, it can also act as a power bank for your phone, for those that like to listen to their music on the go.As far as aesthetics are concerned, the OPPO HA-2 exudes luxury, as it comes with a polished metallic finish and a strip of leather enveloping most of its body. Besides enhancing the device’s looks, the leather also helps the amplifier to remain safe while you keep it inside your pockets and, in true leather fashion, it will only get better with time. It goes without saying that this product was built for those who demand not only the best performance from their power amplifiers but for those who also like to look good when walking around town, listening to their favorite tunes.When it comes to performance, we tested this amp with two pairs of headphones, the low-end yet remarkable Monoprice 108323, and the high-end Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. While we didn’t manage to perceive a significant difference with the Audio-Technicas, other than making them sound louder, with less distortion at higher volumes, we definitely noticed an increase in quality with the Monoprice cans. With the use of this amp, the mids and highs are crisp and clear, even at high volumes, with no hint of distortion, which is expected from a portable amplifier in this price range. The lows, on the other hand, feel booming and punchy, but without bleeding into the mids. In other words, the bass produced by this amplifier complements the overall harmonics and don’t intrude on the music itself. Moreover, with the HA-2, we noticed that the soundstage opened up considerably, which let us perceive instruments and sounds that we usually didn’t without the use of an amplifier. With this device, you can definitely feel like you’re listening to your favorite songs for the very first time, each time you play them, which is a huge plus in our books.In overall build quality, the OPPO HA-2 definitely feels bulky, and not at all flimsy. It feels like it’s actually worth the price tag. The buttons have a heft to them, and the wide variety of additional features more than make up for the high cost of the device. This amplifier can be used with any type of headphones and devices, and can even be used to charge iPhones, which are notorious for being incompatible with any devices other than those manufactured by Apple. That being said, this amplifier shines most when used to play high-resolution audio files. However, keep in mind that this device tends to get hot and consume more battery when reproducing these files, so don’t be alarmed if you feel your device gets hot after a few hours of use.

Pros

  • Aesthetically-high, comprises of a metallic finish and a nice leather covering
  • Almost zero distortion
  • Ideal for binge-watching movies or TV series

Cons

  • Customer support isn’t really reliable
  • Slightly expensive

2. Peachtree Audio SHIFT Portable Headphone Amplifier and USB DAC – Runner Up

Runner Up

[amazon fields=”B01AWLQ1FE” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Peachtree Audio SHIFT” image_align=”center”]

Peachtree Audio SHIFT

Built for demanding audiophiles and is portable and compact. A great option for sensitive headphones.

Next up is a portable headphone amplifier that, similar to the HA-2 mentioned above, manages to perform as an extremely high-quality device as well. The Audio SHIFT by Peachtree is designed for the most demanding audiophiles out there, and consists of one of the most powerful headphone amps, which is both portable and compact and is complemented with low-noise amplifiers to drive even the most sensitive headphones from over-ear, power-hungry cans, to small and efficient in-ear monitors. The hi/lo settings of the Audio SHIFT allow the amp to pair great with both high-impedance and low-impedance headphones without a hitch. Like the HA-2, this device is also equipped with an ESS Sabre32 Reference DAC, only this one is also complemented with a hyper-stream modulator, as well as a time domain jitter eliminator. As a result, the sound produced by this amplifier comes to life and can make every song feel like a live concert playing directly into your ears. The 4100mAh battery embedded within is able to power this amplifier for up to 8 hours, which allows you to enjoy high-quality audio for the most part of your waking hours.The design of this amplifier also exudes quality, and consists of a small portable device wrapped in a leather and aluminum enclosure which feels nice and sturdy to the touch, and is expected from a device in this price range. The build quality leaves nothing to be desired as well and, after testing it out with a few headphones and speakers, we discovered that the performance obtained from this amplifier is also top-notch. With the purchase of this product, you’ll receive the amplifier itself, along with a couple of cables to pair it with different devices, such as iPhone and Android phones. Furthermore, the product includes a stylish leather pouch which can be used to store both the amp as well as your phone while you listen to the music through your headphones.However, above and beyond its awesome looks, the Peachtree SHIFT can also perform admirably, producing crystal clear highs and lows in every paired device, from low-impedance headphones to the most power-hungry cans. Additionally, this is one of the portables amplifiers which is strong enough to power high-impedance headphones, such as the Beyerdynamic DT-770, which deliver an impedance of up to 250 Ohms. The only issue we found with the SHIFT is that, for a portable headphone amplifier, it’s quite big and bulky, and can be cumbersome to carry around at times. However, this issue can be easily circumvented by using a backpack to carry the amp and all its cables. Considering the high quality of audio it produces, it certainly seems like a small price to pay.

Pros

  • Includes a hyper-stream modulator and jitter eliminator
  • The amplifier has been designed to ensure low noise

Cons

  • Quite bulky

3. Cambridge Audio DacMagic – Best Budget Portable Headphone Amp

Best Budget

[amazon fields=”B015JESYV8″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Cambridge DacMagic” image_align=”center”]

Cambridge DacMagic

With the ability to bring quality HiFi audio to any device, the DacMagic comes from a great lineage of headphone amps.

While this amplifier is certainly “portable”, it technically can’t classify as an on-the-go headphone amp, given that it doesn’t have an internal battery to power it while you’re strolling around town. This means that, while the Cambridge Audio DacMagic can definitely be used to provide high-quality, HiFi audio to any device, it must always remain connected to a power source such as a computer. However, this is where the shortcomings of this amplifier end, as literally everything else it has to offer are perks and benefits. The simplicity of the device is perfect for those that don’t want to struggle with settings and configurations, and simply want a device they can connect to their headphones to increase the quality of their music and audio.This portable amplifier is conservative in terms of design, as it consists of a small black box with two black buttons on one of its faces, which are used to control the volume of the output. The input consists of a USB port which, aside from providing power to the amplifier, is also the method by which the audio signal is transmitted to the device. The amplifier can then be paired with any audio equipment via a 3.5mm jack. Like the other devices we’ve listed in this article, this device also comes equipped with an onboard DAC, which converts the digital signal from the input device into high-quality analog audio, which is amplified up to 10 times higher than the sound produced from most integrated audio chipsets. The soundstage really opens up after pairing any device with this amplifier, as you’ll discover new musical arrangements in your favorite songs, which you couldn’t normally perceive with the default amplifier included in your headphones.

Pros

  • Amplifier can be paired with any device through the USB port and 3.5 mm jack
  • Comprises of a built-in DAC

Cons

  • Although sound quality is good, it isn’t as exceptional as what a lot of audio products offer

4. Fiio E17K ALPEN 2 USB DAC Headphone Amplifier – Most Stylish Amp

Most Stylish

[amazon fields=”B00RPD7KP8″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Fiio E17K” image_align=”center”]

Fiio E17K

Great for connecting to a PC or laptop to help manage HiFi sound to your headphones or speakers.

This is one of the most stylish portable amps on this list, and can be used to provide USB audio decoding capabilities which, besides than as a standard amplifier, can also be used as an external sound card for your computer. For the tech-savvy users out there, this amplifier uses the SA 9027 USB receiver, which can support up to 96 kHz/32bit and DSD decoding, which serves to provide high-quality audio conversion from digital to analog with virtually no noise.As soon as you hook this device up to your PC or laptop, the audio is immediately diverted from the speakers to the DAC, followed by the headphones or speakers connected to the amplifier. No matter what type of device you use with this amp, you will receive high-quality audio, which can be adjusted to your liking thanks to the onboard equalizer. In general, the sound produced by the E17K is clear and crisp for the highs, while the bass tends to be punchy without bleeding into the mids. Even if you decide to proceed with the default settings, the quality of your music will be increased as soon as you plug the amp into your PC.Contrary to all the devices previously mentioned on this list, the E17K Alpen allows the user to tweak their music to their likings without having to navigate cumbersome menus on the computer, laptop, cellphone, or any other device you’re pairing the amplifier with. Instead, since this amplifier has what is essentially its own built-in sound card, the audio can be equalized on the device itself. For ease of use, this amplifier comes equipped with a small LED screen which, besides making the device look really awesome and high-tech, also assists in equalization and menu navigation.And speaking of high-tech, the design of the amplifier itself looks like something straight out of a sci-fi flick. The device consists of a small black box with a brushed metal finish and the aforementioned small LED screen installed onto one of its faces. The device itself feels very compact and durable, like a product you won’t have to replace for many years, if treated with care. On the other side of this amplifier you will be able to find the 3.5mm and 18-pin input jacks, as well as the RCA 3.5mm and headphone output jacks. For added convenience, the E17K can be used while charging so, with the use of a power bank, you can effectively enjoy hours of music on the go, which is awesome for those extra long trips or flights where there are no outlets at hand to recharge the device.

Pros

  • Comprises of an audio decoding ability
  • Includes a standard micro-USB interface

Cons

  • Not a long-lasting product

5. TEAC Portable Headphone Amplifier HA-P50 – Noteworthy Amp

Honorable Mention

[amazon fields=”B00IA8ULEY” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”HA-P50″ image_align=”center”]

HA-P50

The HA-P50 has the ability to drive 600 ohms and is a great way to create high-quality audio performance from smartphones or digital music players.

To top off this list, we decided to end it with a product from one of the most prestigious manufacturers of audio equipment in the world, TEAC. This amplifier is designed specifically to work with high-performance headphones, even with the most power-hungry models, since it can easily drive up to 600 Ohms of impedance. While it can provide high-quality audio to any device, the high-performance HA-P50 DAC equipped in this amplifier can also be used to fetch great performance from digital audio sources such as smartphones, or other types of digital music players. The aforementioned DAC uses a PCM5012 converter, which can process digital audio signals of up 24-bit/96kHz resolution. This amplifier also features an OPA-1652 operational amplifier, which can process music with utmost purity, and with nary a trace of distortion, even at high volumes. Due to all the features mentioned above, this amplifier can be used to really squeeze every last ounce of performance from the most high-end headphones.The HA-P50 is designed in the form of a small black box with a full aluminum body. On its sides you will be able to find the device’s many jacks, which includes Micro USB, USB, and standard 3.5mm jacks for the input, as well as the 3.5mm output jack. The device itself is small, with a body only 21.7mm thick, which feels sturdy to the touch. This amplifier is perfect for those who are always on the go and require a device that is both durable and portable enough to be carried in any pocket. The volume adjustment knob is also made completely out of aluminum and has significant heft and torque, to allow precision volume adjusting. Furthermore, the knob is complemented by two side guards to prevent accidental volume changes when the amplifier is carried in a pocket or inside a bag. As an additional quality of life feature, this amplifier has a power-saving function which makes the unit go into sleep mode after 30 minutes, if the device is not connected to any power source.

As we mentioned above, the devices listed in this article so far are those that, in our opinion, provide the most bang for your buck. However, since there are so many amplifiers for sale on the market, we felt the need to list 5 more models that, for one reason or another, have earned an honorary spot on this list. If you’re not convinced with our selection of best portable headphone amps so far, feel free to take a look at our list of worthy alternatives.

Pros

  • Can deliver an impedence of up to 600 Ohms
  • Includes a power-saving function, unlike many products of its kind

Cons

  • Doesn’t work seamlessly with a few iPhone variants, emits cracking sound.

6. FiiO A1 Silver Portable Headphone Amp

Honorable Mention

[amazon fields=”B01CPUVPEM” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”FiiO A1″ image_align=”center”]

FiiO A1

Equipped with four EQ modes, this Fiio product can be configured before it is coupled with a particular headphone to enhance the output. The headphone amp’s battery backup of 13 hours makes it ideal for travel.

Fiio’s latest headphone amp is an ideal device to enhance the volume of a wide range of gadgets including iPods, mobile phones, laptops, notebooks, and MP3 players. The product surprisingly outshines many smartphones perceived to be cutting-edge power by the masses, thanks to the high degree of fidelity it offers.

To help the headphone amp quickly adapt to the headphones you own or wish to use with the product, the makers have offered four EQ modes. A multi-function light has been included in the design to indicate the current EQ mode. The product’s lifeline, a Lithium Polymer bakery discharges completely only after 13 hours, once it is powered to its fullest potential. In fact, the device can be used while it is being charged, which makes it advantageous.

Two other noteworthy features of the product that make it stand out are its compact design, of which a durable anodized Aluminum chassis is an important part. Most importantly, this Fiio product, which offers several advantages, is available for an economic price, making it highly desirable as compared to a number of variants developed by competitor brands.

Pros

  • An impressive battery backup of 13 hours
  • Economic price

Cons

  • When plugged to a headphone, an undesirable buzzing sound is heard, caused by this amp

7. Creative Sound Blaster E5

Honorable Mention

[amazon fields=”B00MXJYDUO” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Creative Sound Blaster E5″ image_align=”center”]

Creative Sound Blaster E5

The Creative Sound Blaster E5 is best known for its ability to reproduce the sound quality of the original and ensures noise is restricted to a bare minimum. The incorporation of NFC Technology too is a noteworthy strength of this product and makes it a game-changer.

Reproducing the quality of sound tracks when it was mastered at the dubbing studio has been a challenge for most audio devices. However, here’s a headphone amplifier that has carved a niche among the products of its kind for its true-to-original sound reproduction ability. Its embedded DAC with 120 dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) is the component responsible for an impressive audio output.

The makers have harnessed the benefits of NFC technology in manufacturing this device, which makes it easy to pair the Sound Blaster E5 with a range of Bluetooth-compliant devices. A simple tap is all it takes to enjoy high quality wireless digital audio streaming. The dual microphones embedded in the device automatically aligns with the landscape and portrait orientations of the devices it is paired with, be it smartphones or tablets.

The device can be charged either through an external USB power adapter. The Creative Sound Blaster E5 is equipped with several connectors and audio output ports that include two 3.5 mm Stereo jacks, a micro-USB and a Type-A USB port respectively.

Pros

  • 120 dB SnR ensures audio reproduction stays true to the original file’s quality
  • Compliant with a wide-range of Bluetooth devices

Cons

  • Frequent complaints of the product not lasting over a year despite being maintained with a lot of care
  • Battery has a very short lifespan and is irreplaceable

8. Creative Sound Blaster E1

Honorable Mention

[amazon fields=”B00J2JATL0″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Creative Sound Blaster E1″ image_align=”center”]

Creative Sound Blaster E1

Developed by the renowned brand Creative, the Sound Blaster E1 includes a 600 Ohm amplifier that restores the audio quality one gets to experience at a studio. In addition, its Crystal Voice software helps configure the device to make it more compatible with a wide range of gadgets such as headphones.

Here’s another variant from the makers of E5 that’s equally impressive and an item we felt its imperative to include in a compilation that discusses the best portable headphone amplifiers.

The Sound Blaster E1 is exceptional in enabling voice communication without any quality loss. The device includes a mono-microphone that can be easily connected to other gadgets such as smartphones and PCs, enabling users to exchange ideas and information seamlessly, be it over platforms such as skype or the usual telephone calls.

A 600 Ohm headphone amplifier embedded within the device is best suited for high performance headphones and ensures listening to audio tracks on a personal gadget is no different from hearing it at a studio. That’s not all, the product delivers an output of 106 dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SnR), which has resulted in the Creative Sound Blaster E1’s high vocal fidelity that’s largely unparalleled, at least compared to many other popular headphone amps of today.

A unique differentiating factor that gives the Creative Studio Blaster E1 an edge over a range of headphone amps is the initial driver setup. To be precise, the makers offer SBX Pro Studio Package, a crystal voice software that helps users configure the device, predominantly mix and equalize to best suit the abilities of speakers and headphones.

Thanks to its built-in Lithium battery, the E1 is exceptionally good at retaining charge for around 25 hours, which is quite high as compared to a few headphone amplifiers of recent times.

Pros

  • 600 Ohm built-in amplifier helps restore studio-like quality
  • Crystal voice software helps configure the device
  • Economic, worth-the-money kind of device

Cons

  • The USB DAC feature is quite faulty and makes the device inefficient in curbing audio distortion

9. M-Audio Bass Traveler

Honorable Mention

[amazon fields=”B00X67G77O” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”SainSonic A2″ image_align=”center”]

SainSonic A2

Comprising of two 1/8-inch jacks, the M-Audio Bass Traveler is capable of delivering dual output when connected with other gadgets such as headphones. The LED indicator included in the design notifies users if the device is fully charged or on the verge of a shut down.

Here’s a headphone amp that seamlessly connects with a wide range of audio equipment, which has made it widely popular among several gadget lovers looking to procure a headphone amplifier.

The M-Audio Bass Traveler includes a bright LED indicator that glows to denote if the device is powered on, the battery is being charged or warn users of the amp shutting off soon. The product includes two 1/8-inch jacks that ensure two outputs for a single headphone used as an input.  A level gain switch included in the M-Audio Bass Traveler boosts the signal level and makes the product compatible with high-quality headphones, with impedance ranging from 16 to 100 Ohms.

The amplifier’s Lithium polymer battery can hold charge for up to 8 hours, which makes it ideal for long journeys, especially if you are heading to place that’s disconnected from technology. Overall, the product lives up to the claims in most of its advertisements, which is a sufficient reason why one must buy the M-Audio Bass Traveler.

Pros

  • Bright LED indicator that can issue warnings such as power shortage
  • Long-lasting battery makes this amplifier ideal for long trips

Cons

  • Its extra bass may be disliked by a section of the brand’s target audience
  • Doesn’t accept audio through a USB port but only a 1/8” input

10. DarkVoice 336SE 

DarkVoice 336SE

[amazon fields=”B00CF9JON8″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”DarkVoice 336SE Headphone Tube Amplifier” image_align=”center”]

DarkVoice 336SE

Inclusive of a 6.3 mm stereo jack, the DarkVoice 336SE Headphone Tube Amplifier restricts distortion to less than 2 percent. This unique product also delivers output impedance ranging between 32 and 600 Ohm.

At first glance, this product might seem like an apparatus from your school laboratory, but judging this product merely by its appearance would be hasty. The capabilities of the DarkVoice 336SE Headphone Tube Amplifier are much beyond what we can imagine.

The audio quality rendered by this product is as good as some of the best amplifiers you know. This unique product reduces distortion to not more than 2 percent, which ensures the sound emitted is quite soothing to the ear.

The output impedance rendered by this product ranges between 32 to 600 Ohm, which is another reason why you could consider buying this product. Overall, the DarkVoice 336SE Headphone Tube Amplifier is totally worth the investment, although it doesn’t really impress with its design.

Pros

  • Restricts distortion to less than 2 percent
  • Delivers an impressive impedance range of 32 to 600 Ohm

Cons

  • Slightly expensive

Best Portable Headphone Amp Buying Guide

Which Types Of Headphones Can Benefit From An External Amplifier?​

Like we mentioned above, every pair of headphones comes with its own onboard amplifier in order to power their functions. In some specific models, said amplifiers are more than enough, allowing the user to enjoy the cans’ potential to the max, without having to invest in an amplifier. Furthermore, there are also types of headphones, such as noise-cancelling earbuds, which don’t need an external amplifier since they already have a decent one themselves. Other types of headphones, such as in-ear cans or earbuds don’t require an amplifier either since they are already efficient enough and require little power to perform well.

That being said, the headphones which require an external amp in order to perform to their fullest are those that have the highest impedance, as their on-board amplifier will not be able to supply enough power to the drivers.

While all amplifiers – portable or otherwise – are designed to perform basically the same function, they come in different shapes and sizes as well as with different specifications, all which allow them to perform different tasks with varying levels of effectiveness. That being said, there are a few elements you need to keep in mind in order to make the very best portable amplifier purchase of a product suited to your needs.

In this section, we will list all the different factors you need to keep an eye out for when browsing the market for an amplifier:

Amplifier Impedance

The term impedance is somewhat complicated to explain in layman’s terms. However, this element plays a vital role in determining whether your headphones would benefit from an amplifier. Low impedance headphones (8-32 Ohms) can make do without a dedicated amplifier since they don’t require much impedance in order to drive their audio. High impedance headphones (32-300 Ohms), on the other hand, require a dedicated amplifier in order to unleash their full potential, given that their onboard amp will only provide the bare minimum for them to perform their functions adequately.

Amp Sensitivity

Sensitivity is related exclusively to headphones and refers to their power efficiency at high volumes. Less efficient headphones require more power to produce sound at higher volumes, and may even distort the sound if the amplifier is not able to provide enough juice. The more efficient headphones will be able to produce audio at any volume while consuming less power for high levels. This factor is important to keep in mind as it will directly affect your choice of an amplifier; depending on the headphones you need to power, you might need to spend extra on an amplifier that can accommodate their power needs, especially if you plan on blasting the cans at high volumes.

Output Impedance of Amplifier

​This element refers to the impedance output of the amplifier itself, which is roughly 1/8 of the headphone’s impedance. For example, if a pair of headphones has an impedance of 24 Ohms, then you will need an amplifier with an impedance of at least at least 3 Ohms in order to fully drive the audio to the headphones and to make use of the device’s full potential.

Damping Factor of Amplifier

​The result we obtained above, corresponding to the Output Impedance, is also referred to as the damping factor. In short, the damping factor is equal to the headphone impedance divided by the output impedance of the amplifier. In the above formula, we divided the impedance of the headphones by 8, so that would be the amplifier’s damping factor. In general, the higher the damping factor of any given amplifier, the better, since the amp will have more control over the speaker it’s driving.

In all honesty, this element will play a very small role when it comes to portable amps. Still, it’s good to know about this factor since some amplifiers might list it in their specifications.

THD+N

This last factor translates to Total Harmonic Distortion Plus Noise and references the total amount of sound emitted by the amplifier, plus the noise generated by the conversion of the signal. It goes without saying this only applies for Digital to Analog Converters (DACs), as regular amplifiers won’t generate any extra noise since they don’t convert the audio signal.

The Different Types Of Best Portable Headphone Amplifier

Similar to the wide variety of headphones, there are also a similarly large selection of amplifiers on the market, which can make choosing an appropriate one a challenging endeavor, especially if you don’t know what to look for. When it comes to types, most amplifiers fall into 3 different categories:

Desktop Amplifiers​

These amps are fairly powerful, and are powered directly from a wall outlet. They are decently sized – roughly the size of a shoebox – and are used mostly as a permanent listening solution, such as for those who compose music on their computers and require the best sound quality possible, without being encumbered by an overly large device on the desk.

Portable Amplifiers

Smaller sized amplifiers roughly the size of an iPod classic or a smartphone, and which are powered either via batteries or a USB connection. They can provide power to any type of headphones on the go, so you can listen to quality music at any time or place.

Full-Size Amplifiers

These ones come in various sizes, depending on their purpose and power, but are usually the size of standard audio equipment. These are used mostly in professional settings or for musicians, as they can power everything from headphones and microphones to electric guitars, bass guitars, and other types of instruments.

The Different Brands Of Best Portable Headphone Amplifiers

Like with all products, when it comes to portable amplifiers, there are certain companies that excel among the rest. In this article, we intend to list our personal picks for products in this category. However, if you’re not convinced with our selections and want to keep browsing further, make sure to check out the products from the following brands. While some of the amplifiers from these manufacturers are not the cheapest on the market, you can rest assured that you will receive the very best quality from all their products:

​FiiO

FiiO Electronics Technology, Co. is a Chinese manufacturer of audio-related products. Established in 2007, this company has taken it upon themselves to improve the reputation of the “Made In China” label. To this end, FiiO adopted the motto of “Innovation, Quality, and Service”, and promises to create products that will let their customers enjoy Hi-Fi with style. To this end, this company designs, manufactures and sells all sorts of audio equipment, from DACs and portable amplifiers to headphones and replacement parts and cables, all of which adhere to the highest ISO9001 quality standards.

All of their products are designed to have the least repair and return rate as possible, to prove that not everything “Made In China” has to be expendable and low quality.

TEAC

TEAC America is a subsidiary company of the TEAC Corporation, a Tokyo-based company and global leader in recording and audio technology. The company was founded in 1956 with the name Tokyo Electro Acoustic Company. Over the years, they have garnered a reputation for being primarily a manufacturer of high-quality audio equipment during the 80’s. In that time, TEAC also gained renown by creating a notable amount of cassette players, CD players, phonographs, and amplifiers, which helped to set the foundation for the company they are today.

Nowadays, TEAC still produces audio equipment of the highest quality for the general consumer, while maintaining a line of premium products called Esoteric for the most demanding users and professionals in the recording and music industry.

OPPO

OPPO is a California-based manufacturer of high-quality electronic products and audio equipment. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, this company is popular for their DVD players and amplifiers, designed towards audio and video enthusiasts, as well as those who enjoy obtaining the most performance out of their audio equipment. This company stands out from the others, as they don’t have any marketing departments or advertising. Instead, they depend on word of mouth and on the unerring quality of their goods in order to gain attention from the general populace. In this manner, OPPO is able to dedicate their budget exclusively to the research, design, and development of their lines of products, as well as investing significantly to maintain a high-quality and responsive customer service team.

With the purchase of any OPPO product, you can expect to receive the style, performance, and innovation of a company that completely dedicates their trade to producing audio electronics and equipment.

Peachtree

Peachtree has been in the business of home audio solutions and audio electronics for 10 years now. Ever since their inception in 2007, the folks in this company have been trying to merge old-school audio with the new-age digital and computer technologies that are the cornerstone of music production nowadays. The result of this foray into unknown grounds has led Peachtree to create several award-winning DACs, speakers, and amplifiers. Their flagship line of amplifiers, called Nova, is comprised of products that can easily push any type of headphones and speakers to their fullest, without any discernible loss in quality.

Creative Sound Blaster

As a manufacturer of audio products, Creative seldom needs an introduction. This company has been around basically since digital audio became a thing. Starting off as a computer repair shop in Singapore in the early 80’s, the company had their first big break when Sim Wing Hoo – the company’s founder and current CEO – developed a memory stick to expand the capacity of the Apple II. Since then, Creative started developing products to improve upon computer technology of the time, with a focus on the audio aspect. Their early designs included technology adapted to the Chinese language, which allowed computers to recite phrases and generate speech.

In the late 80’s, Sim developed the Sound Blaster, a sound card which had the capacity to reproduce digital audio as well as convert analog audio signals into their digital counterparts. For the next couple of decades, the Sound Blaster brand would go on to become the de-facto digital audio processing unit present in most integrated chipsets at the time, due to being the only one which offered all the perks expected from an integrated sound card: digital audio, musical synthesizer, a MIDI interface, and a joystick port.

Today, Creative – and specifically the Sound Blaster brand – is comprises of all sorts of audio-related products and electronics, including dedicated sound cards, amplifiers, headphones, speakers, and much more.

Best Portable Headphone Amp Wrap Up

When it comes to casual music listening, amplifiers are one of the most overlooked devices for increasing the quality of your favorites tracks, given that most users frequently opt to invest in better headphones. While purchasing a pair of high-quality headphones should certainly be a priority if you’re looking to obtain better sound, we feel that most users underestimate the potential that portable amplifiers have to enhance the performance of most low to mid-range headphones. The truth is, despite being equipped with onboard amplifiers, these devices are often not enough to squeeze the most performance out of your headphones. For this reason, investing in a good amplifier is always a smart choice, especially if you already own decent headphones and simply wish to enjoy better quality audio without having to replace your pair of cans.

However, purchasing a good portable headphone amplifier can be a tricky endeavor, especially if you’re new to the market and don’t quite know what to look for. If this is the case, we recommend using the information contained in this article, so that you are able to make the very best purchase, suited to your needs.

Happy shopping!​

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