A good headphone amp makes demanding headphones sound full and dynamic, gets rid of the hiss from a computer or console jack, and lets you use wired headphones with a phone or TV. These are the best DAC/amp combos you can buy new on Amazon, from a $60 dongle to a fully balanced desktop amp.
The best headphone amp for most people is the Fosi Audio ZH3 (about $200): a fully balanced DAC, amp, and preamp with about 2.5 watts for hard-to-drive headphones.
Gamers should get the Fosi Audio K7 (about $200), which adds a mic input and Bluetooth. The Fosi Audio SK02 (about $100) is the best value, and the DS2 dongle (about $60) is the pick for phones.
| DAC/amp | Headphone outputs | Inputs | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fosi Audio ZH3 | 6.35mm, 4.4mm balanced | USB, optical, coaxial, RCA | Best overall, hard-to-drive headphones | ~$200 |
| Fosi Audio K7 | 3.5mm, 4.4mm balanced | USB-C, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth, mic | Gaming and music | ~$200 |
| Fosi Audio SK02 | 3.5mm, 4.4mm balanced | USB-C, optical | Best value | ~$100 |
| Fosi Audio K5 Pro | 3.5mm | USB-C, optical, coaxial, mic | Budget gaming | ~$80 |
| Fosi Audio DS2 | 3.5mm, 4.4mm balanced | USB-C | Phones and laptops on the go | ~$60 |
Every pick here is a DAC/amp combo: a digital-to-analog converter and a headphone amplifier in one box. That's what most people need, because it takes a digital signal from a computer, console, phone, TV, or CD player and drives your headphones properly. We focus on Fosi Audio because its DAC/amps are consistently well reviewed, cost far less than most audiophile brands, and are sold new on Amazon. Specs are from Fosi and independent reviews.
The ZH3 is the one to get if you want a desktop amp you won't outgrow. Its fully balanced 4.4mm output delivers about 2.5 watts into 32 ohms, enough for nearly any dynamic headphone, and its 6.35mm output still puts out about 640mW. Three gain levels keep sensitive headphones quiet and let power-hungry ones open up. Reviewers praise its clean, detailed sound and solid metal build.
It's also a full preamp, with RCA and XLR outputs for powered speakers or a power amp. With optical, coaxial, and RCA inputs, you can connect a CD player, a TV, and a computer at the same time, which makes it a great hub for a CD and headphone listening setup.
Worth knowing: it has no microphone input or Bluetooth, and it's overkill for earbuds or easy-to-drive headphones.
Check price on Amazon Prices change often — verify current pricing on Amazon.The K7 does everything the ZH3 does for headphones, plus gaming. It has a 3.5mm microphone input, so a gaming headset or a pair of headphones with a mic works over a single USB connection to a PC or PS5. Its balanced output delivers about 2.1 watts, and Bluetooth with aptX HD lets you stream from your phone. It also has optical and coaxial inputs, a display, and RCA outputs for powered speakers.
Worth knowing: its single-ended output is a 3.5mm jack, so full-size headphones with a 6.35mm plug need an adapter. One reviewer found the build quality a step below the price.
Check price on Amazon Prices change often — verify current pricing on Amazon.Most of the performance of the bigger amps for about half the price. Its 4.4mm balanced output puts out about 1.1 watts into 32 ohms, enough for the large majority of headphones, and two gain settings cover headphones from 16 to 300 ohms. Reviewers describe its sound as neutral and detailed. An optical input means it also works with a TV or game console, and a line output can feed powered speakers.
Worth knowing: there's no coaxial input or microphone input. Some reviewers found the treble a little bright.
Check price on Amazon Prices change often — verify current pricing on Amazon.A simple, affordable upgrade over a console controller's headphone jack or a PC's onboard audio. It has USB-C, optical, and coaxial inputs, a microphone input with an included splitter for headsets, and bass and treble knobs. It works with PCs, Macs, PS5, PS4, and Nintendo Switch, and its RCA outputs can feed powered speakers.
Worth knowing: it has only a 3.5mm headphone output and no balanced output, and USB audio tops out at 24-bit/96kHz. It's best with gaming headsets and easy-to-drive headphones.
Check price on Amazon Prices change often — verify current pricing on Amazon.Most phones no longer have a headphone jack, and the ones that do rarely sound great. The DS2 is a thumb-sized dongle that plugs into a phone, tablet, or laptop's USB-C port and gives you both a 3.5mm and a 4.4mm balanced output. Reviewers found it clear and detailed, with plenty of power for earbuds and most portable headphones.
Worth knowing: it runs off your device's battery, and it doesn't have the power for demanding full-size headphones. For those, get a desktop amp.
Check price on Amazon Prices change often — verify current pricing on Amazon.You'll hear a real improvement from a DAC/amp if:
If you use earbuds or easy-to-drive headphones and your current source sounds clean, you may not need one. If you want wireless listening for TV, see our best wireless headphones for TV instead.