Using headphones is very straightforward. Plug them into your smartphone, tablet, or computer. All the devices mentioned above already have a built-in headphone amplifier. So, why do you need an external headphone amplifier? An external headphone amplifier will deliver better-quality sound with enhanced details. If you’re using high-end headphones (high impedance), an external amplifier will have more power to drive the headphones. Let us help you find the best headphone amp under $100.
If you’re looking for a more fantastic listening experience, a headphone amplifier is the next step, and the good news is that you do not have to spend a fortune to get one. Some solid headphone amps are under $100 for beginners and more seasoned users.
1.- FiiO E10K USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier
FiiO is one reputed company that manufactures some of the best headphone amplifiers. Most of the headphone amps from this company have been very affordable and deliver impressive audio performance.
The FiiO E10K Headphone amp combo is made of aluminum, making it solid and durable. On the front, you get a 3.5mm headphone jack (1/8″), an off/on bass switch, and a volume knob. On the back, you will find a coaxial out port, a line out port, the high and low gain switch, and a USB power port.
A warning, It did not have enough power to drive headphones of 300 Ohms impedance. With lower impedance headphones, it will perform like a champ, and it’s probably the best headphone amp under $100 we can recommend.
- DAC Chip¡ªThe Internal DAC chip is a PCM102 and can handle PCM files up to 24-bit/96 kHz while improving audio quality via a linear filter, reduced delay and internal silence on changing tracks, and no phase shifts.
- LOW NOISE FLOOR ¡ª The unit has an optimized low-pass filter and selectable bass boost circuit that are designed for a low noise floor in all states.
- CONNECTION VARIETY ¡ª The variety of connections include a front-panel 1/8¡± headphone jack, a rear-panel 1/8¡± line output, and a rear-panel coaxial digital output, which allows you to send your digital audio to another destination.
- USB CONNECTION ¡ª Connects to your laptop via its micro USB connection, which also provides it with power.
- PORTABLE DESIGN ¡ª A sleek, brushed aluminum shell and chassis allow for durable, portable use.
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2.- AudioQuest DragonFly Black v1.5 Plug-in USB DAC + Preamp + Headphone Amp
The very first Dragonfly DAC/headphone amplifier was launched in 2012. Two years later, in 2014, they launched the Dragonfly v1.2 (discontinued). Now comes the AudioQuest Dragonfly v1.5
It comes with a portable design that fits in your pockets. Looking at its built quality, the housing is made up of metals with a soft rubbery texture finished. The DAC/Headphone amp also features an LED that indicates the sampling rate of music files it is processing.
Due to its form factor, and USB port is ideal for stepping up the audio of your PC/laptop. It’s possible to use smartphones, android, and iOS. Nevertheless, you will need some adapters which are not included.
The DragonFly Black has a power output of 1.2 volts. If you need more power, the DragonFly Red has a higher power output of 2.1 volts and a higher price tag of around 200 dollars. This is one of the best headphone amps for under $100.
- 32-bit ESS 9010 Sabre DAC
- Offering tremendously enhanced sound, higher value, and significantly lower power consumption than the original award-winning DragonFly
- Works with Apple and Android phones and tablets when paired with a simple adapter
- This versatile DAC improves everything detail, transparency, immediacy, richness, tone associated with your music
- Plays everything from MP3s to 24-bit/96kHz high-resolution files
- Connector type: USB
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
3.- Fosi Audio Q4 – Mini Stereo Gaming DAC & Headphone Amplifier
The unit is small, and the shell is fully metallic to give a high-quality feeling. On the back, the Fosi Audio Q4 is loaded with several inputs. There is one optical, one USB, and coaxial input. Also on the back is the 5V DC input required for operation. Two RCA audio outputs can be connected to amplifiers or powered speakers on your desktop.
On the front, you will find three knobs: one for bass, one for treble, and one for volume, which could be helpful for quick sound tuning by downloading any driver or software or changing sound settings. Also, on the front of the headphone, there’s an output jack and input switch with three options.
- Easy to set up, no special software, app, or driver to install, a true plug-and-play digital audio adapter
- With USB, optical and coaxial S/PDIF inputs can fit with most home audio system, and RCA output can be connected to amplifier or powered speakers on your desktop; Built-in Hi-Fi headphone amp chip can drive most 16ohm to 200ohm headphones
- 160mW RMS(32 ohms, 20 Hz - 20 KHz, 0.01% THD), with bass and treble control can be used as preamp or volume controller for your PC/MAC/Computer
- Mini Compact D/A converter, stream bit-perfect 24bit/192KHz HD with low jitter, with output protect circuit, safe for your expensive audio system
- Come with 5V USB power supply cable, optical cable, USB type B cable and 18-month warranty; Full metallic shell to ensure high qual
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
4.- Syba Sonic 24bit USB DAC Stereo Headphone Amplifier
Syba was founded in 2001; according to the company, they follow 3 simple principles “superior product quality, competitive yet affordable pricing, and outstanding customer service.”
This unit is driverless, can be USB powered, and has digital (optical and coax) and analog (RCA) outputs. On the front, there is a line-in, mic-in, and two jack outputs, 1/4″ & 1/8″. Also, on the front, a switch changes between three hardware EQ modes: bass boost, default or direct, and treble boost. The huge volume wheel on top will allow you for quick volume changes.
The Syba Sonic 24bit is compatible with PC and PS4 consoles, which could appeal to gamers.
- The CM6533 intelligent noise reduction chip filters noise and noise, and the sound quality is more Full, and the high-fidelity sound quality is restored.
- The recording standard of the studio with higher than CD sound quality is up to 24bit/96KHZ, so you can enjoy the audio quality of the fever.
- Interface: Mini USB Rev. 1. 1 or 2. 03. 5mm Input Analog Microphone. Shared with Analog Line-in (Stereo) Up to 24bit/96KHz)RCA Analog Output (Stereo)1/4 (6. 3mm) Stereo Headphone Jack3. 5mm Mini Stereo Headphone Jack (If Used, 1/4 Jack Will be Automatically D
- Operation Amplifier: TI LM358
- Support headphones + Microphone to solve the problem of computer sound card damage, single-port notebook can not connect to the micropho
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5.-Nobsound NS-08E Vacuum Tube Headphone Amplifier
Nobsound (Douk Audio) is a company that has brought quality products at favorable prices to most audio consumers. The NS-08E uses both tubes and transistors for high-quality amplification; the tubes are used for pre-amplification of the audio during the solid-state part of the amp output audio.
It’s a well-built amp. The case is made of CNC aluminum. The size is very compact, and it can fit in your palm. The two tubes on top can be replaced with the same model, 6J3, 6J4, 6J5, 6K4, and many others.
The Nobsound NS-08E headphone amp can power headphones with impedance values from 24 ohms to 600 ohms, which is very impressive for the price tag of this amplifier. As a bonus, the Nobsound NS-08E will look fantastic on your desk.
- NS-08E is a Hi-Fi tube headphone amp. It can offer >=1100mW at 32Ω and can drive 18~600 ohm headphones & headsets.
- New version adopts 6J3 vacuum & valve tube, which has warmer tube sound and more replaceable tubes.
- Upgrade circuit can ensure lower background noise, more powerful bass and more brilliant treble.
- It can also be used as a stereo preamplifier for other amplifiers and active speakers. For better preamp function, we recommend NS-10P (ASIN: B07719G56B).
- CNC Aluminum shell with super mini size. Very solid workmanship. Prompt and courteous customer service. For any questions, please contact us on Amaz
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Extra: HELM Audio Bolt DAC/AMP, USB-C Portable
This USB-C device is exciting and has almost made it to the list. It costs $109, which positions it over our $100 budget. Nevertheless, you could likely find it below $100 during certain seasons.
The product is very compact; you could think it is a simple USB-C to 3.5mm adapter. Make no mistake since the HELM Audio Bolt is a portable DAC and amplifier compatible with smartphones (android and iOS) and PC/Mac computers.
This tiny gadget is THX certified and supports MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) audio. The LED changes color to tell you which audio you are listening to—Blue for SD audio, Red for HD Audio, and Magenta for MQA audio.
- STUDIO GRADE PORTABLE DIGITAL ANALOG CONVERTOR WITH MQA: BOLT delivers studio sound on the go from any mobile device across all listening formats. Supports MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) streaming for unparalleled fidelity in portable audio. Compatible with Android, iOS, Mac, and PC’s. May require extra adapters or third party apps for MQA support.
- HIGHEST FIDELITY SOUND: MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) rendering “unfolds” every detail of the original master recording as the artist and engineers intended it to be heard for better-than-CD audio resolutions. Stream MQA content from TIDAL, nugs.net, and Xiami. MQA Certified.
- SMARTPHONE, TABLET, MAC & PC COMPATIBLE: USB-C input to a 3.5mm Headphone Output supporting playback of PCM files with sampling rates up to 384 kHz, or DSD files with sampling frequencies up to 5.6MHz. The 3.5mm audio jack seamlessly connects to your wired headphones or speaker system. Note: An adapter is required if you do not have a 3.5mm input jack.
- AMPLIFIED AUDIO OUTPUT & HEADPHONE OUTPUT LEVEL MATCHING: Provides an average increase of +6 dB in devices with combined USB-audio output (where a dedicated headphone audio output isn’t available). Headphone output level automatically detects headphone impedance and sets level accordingly (1V for 150 ohms).
- THX CERTIFIED AUDIO OUTPUT: Exclusively designed for ultra-low harmonic, crosstalk & crossover distortion. Unlike other mobile MQA-DAC designs, the HELM BOLT physically isolates the DAC from the USB connector for improved EMI isolation, and uses a three oscillator design for superior frequency lock with dramatic improvements over single oscillator DAC desig
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best headphone amp under $100? your choice
Hundreds of DAC, amplifiers, and pre-amps are available at different price points. I hope this list of headphone amps under $100 will make choosing your following amplifier easier.
Before buying a headphone amplifier, always set your budget, check the build quality or material used, brand reputation, impedance, and other specifications, and read reviews of users who have already used it.