Headphone Amplifiers

Just like the amplifier that powers your full-sized speakers, a headphone amp works in the same way on a much smaller scale. This low-powered amp increases the signal from your devices, such as your smartphone or PC, amplifying low-voltage signals to higher levels.

Built-in amps tend to distort and compress sound, losing the dynamic range of the music, while high-quality headphone amps are designed to preserve the original signal.

The result is studio-quality sounds that greatly improve the listening experience, providing louder, crisper sounds. Power and quality are the two main reasons people use dedicated headphone amps from high-end companies like MyteK and McIntosh. Below are two of the models we most recommend for our clients.

The Liberty THX AAA Headphone AMP from MyTek provides powerful, precision sound with minimal distortion. The amp also comes with a reference tool to adjust volume and sound settings for optimal listening and production.

We also have the McIntosh MHA200 headphone amp coming to our showroom soon. This beautiful, compact amplifier boasts four different impedance ranges, balanced, and unbalanced inputs. Enjoy sound in stereo or left and right outputs. The MHA200 features McIntosh’s trademark vacuum tube amplification and a toroidal power transformer for powerful, pristine sound with a wide range of headphones and music sources.

Digital-to-Analogue Converters

Digital devices, like your computer, smartphone, and game console produce digital audio signals. A DAC converts these signals to a low-voltage analog signal, enabling you to play the sound over speakers or headphones. Most digital devices already have a DAC built-in; otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to hear any sound when you plugged in your headphones.

You may be wondering, if these devices already have a built-in amp and DAC, why do I you need additional ones? It all has to do with the quality of the built-in equipment. In many cases, the internal ones are mass-produced and not designed to provide accurate reproduction of the original audio.

In effect, it simply doesn’t produce the sound quality and best audio experience possible. Using a high-quality DAC helps make the sounds cleaner, minimizing unwanted distortion or noises such as hissing.

Many external DACs are built with amplifiers. For music enthusiasts looking for the ultimate in sound quality and fidelity, a DAC and amplifier with high-end headphones improves clarity and detail and outperforms inbuilt DACs in most instances.

Of course, the quality of your sound is affected by the quality of the music file. The compression process involved in MP3 and MP4 audio files leads to distorted music that no DAC or amplifier can fix.

The same can be said for headphones. An external DAC and amplifier cannot affect headphones with low-end dynamic drivers in the same manner as ones with quality drivers.

When it comes to DACs, we recommend the Liberty DAC II from MyteK. The DAC includes digital inputs and volume control along with balanced and unbalanced outputs. The Liberty DAC II comes with a built-in amplifier, MQA decoder and power supply. The DAC will be available to demo in our showroom soon.

SEE ALSO: Surround Sound: What’s the Best Speaker Setup for You?

The Right DACs and Amplifiers for Your Headphones

Some DACs only work with stereo systems, while others are ideal for headphones. Some are designed specifically for smartphones and others for computers and impressive home audio systems.

Additionally, gaming DAC/amps offer more gaming-oriented features and are optimized for gaming consoles, while those designed for audiophiles feature the best sound quality available. For instance, most gaming devices come with surround sounds, giving players the immersive, in-the-game experience. Many also require a microphone input.

At Show and Tell AV, we're experts in high-end audio-video and home automation. Our certified technicians know, live, and breathe audio-video from creating the ultimate whole-home audio solutions to the best home theater experience in your home in Bountiful, UT or surrounding areas.

If you have any questions about headphones, amplifiers, and how to produce the best sound quality for your needs, get in touch here or message us below. We look forward to hearing from you.