Headphone amp and DAC makers

Guide

By Jeremy Screeton · Published October 20, 2026

If you've decided your headphones deserve a better source than a laptop jack, the next question is who makes the gear. These are the headphone amplifier and DAC makers currently in the Audio-Atlas directory. Descriptions are drawn from each listing, which links to the sources we checked.

Not sure you need an amp at all? Start with Do I need a headphone amp?

Desktop and portable DACs and amps

These companies are where many people look first for a desk setup or a portable DAC.

• Schiit Audio (United States). Schiit Audio makes headphone and speaker amplifiers, DACs, preamplifiers, phono stages and analogue EQ products. Founded in 2010, it describes US manufacturing across California and Texas and distinguishes its designs through discrete analogue circuitry, multibit conversion and named USB and control technologies.
• JDS Labs (United States). US developer of headphone amplifiers and DACs that takes a measurement-led approach to signal-chain transparency, led by founder and lead engineer John Seaber. Its range runs from the Atom 2 amp and DAC to the Element IV with Core EQ, plus the Atom Phono and Synapse USB isolator.
• TOPPING (China). Chinese hi-fi brand founded in 2008 with an R&D team of more than 40 engineers, making DACs, headphone amplifiers, preamplifiers and power amplifiers such as the D900, Pre900 and DX1 II.
• SMSL (China). Chinese maker of DACs, headphone amplifiers, amplifiers and players, with current models such as the D200, VMV D3R, D100 and AL400, and a legacy archive of earlier M-series DACs.
• FiiO (China). Guangzhou FiiO Electronics, established in 2007, designs portable and desktop audio products including digital audio players, headphone amplifiers, DACs, earphones and headphones, speakers and retro products, sold worldwide through agents.
• iFi audio (United Kingdom). British audio-tech company founded in 2012 that makes home, portable and Elite-range DACs, headphone amplifiers and noise-reduction accessories such as SilentPower. Current models include the iDSD Phantom and the portable iDSD GR 2.
• HIFIMAN (United States). HIFIMAN develops headphones, earphones, DACs and amplifiers, with planar-magnetic designs central to its product history. Its current range also includes wireless and streaming products, while named engineering areas include thin diaphragms, Stealth Magnets and HYMALAYA resistor-ladder conversion.

High-end and specialist

• dCS (United Kingdom). Cambridgeshire-based digital-playback specialist making DACs, network players, master clocks, disc transports and headphone amplification. Its Lina, Bartók, Rossini and Vivaldi families package those functions in different combinations, from integrated playback components to multi-box systems.
• Gold Note (Italy). Italian high-end audio maker headquartered in the hills near Florence, founded by Maurizio Aterini. Its range includes the DS-5.2 compact streamer, the PH-5.2 touchscreen phono stage and the HP-5.2 headphone amplifier.
• STAX (Japan). Japanese electrostatic-headphone specialist that calls itself the founder of the "earspeaker", with roots going back to 1938 and products devoted to electrostatic audio. It makes earspeakers and dedicated driver units and has a listening room at its Fujimi, Saitama headquarters.

Things to check before you buy

• Output power at your headphones' impedance, not just the headline number.
• The connections you need: USB, optical, balanced outputs.
• Whether you want one combined unit or separate DAC and amp.
• Published measurements, when you want independent data. See Reviews & Measurements.

Audio-Atlas is an informational directory; mentions are not endorsements. Check details with each manufacturer or business. See our editorial policy and affiliate disclosure.