What's the best headphone amp you have heard?

[Thieliste]

I would certainly pick the the Aries Cerat Genus as best headphone amp but i'm very happy with a Chord Hugo TT2 with a great FPGA DAC built in.
My priority is still speaker system.

 

[thomask]

There is no best amp for headphone.

It is a matching between headphone and amp.

 

[F208Frank]

For me personally it was the WA33 Elite Edition Tube Amp, I am sure there is better out there, but I am happy with mine.

 

[Alrainbow]

The best headphone amp is based a a few things.
For one the headphones you will use. Some headphones need a low output imp and some a high. Some need a high voltage some high current
Even the noise level at the output on a given imp of a headphone matters. If you have a headphone picked out that you have heard comment on it. it’s far more possible to pick and amp then pick headphone or Vicversa but you must have one ??. pOst and ol help.

 

[audiomonkey777]

I'm fairly new to all of this really but it seems from my reading that you need to match your headphones to your amp really? And your own taste? Surely it's subjective?

A friend of mine swears by his Pro iCAN (amp) and Pro iDSD (DAC/streamer) stack from iFi audio - he would say that for his ears, this the Pro iCAN with the Pro iDSD is the best he's ever heard. I heard it and thought it was pretty awesome but I know I've also heard other things I like.

 

[Thieliste]

I'm fairly new to all of this really but it seems from my reading that you need to match your headphones to your amp really? And your own taste? Surely it's subjective?

A friend of mine swears by his Pro iCAN (amp) and Pro iDSD (DAC/streamer) stack from iFi audio - he would say that for his ears, this the Pro iCAN with the Pro iDSD is the best he's ever heard. I heard it and thought it was pretty awesome but I know I've also heard other things I like.

Chord Electronics is in another league compared to iFI Audio in terms of headphone gear trust me.

 

[Alrainbow]

Chord is better no doubt. it’s a tough time to evail stuff at stores or meets. maybe mail order is now

 

[adamaley]

I enjoyed my time with a DNA Stratus I owned a few years ago. I'm sure the new Stellaris sounds glorious.

 

[adamaley]

 

[moby2004]

May I know

View attachment 64121

May I know which cable are you using with your Hifiman.
Amp-wise I have great expectations for the forthcoming universal headphone amp from Viva Audio!
Alex

 

[adamaley]

I believe it was one of the Norne Audio cables. I sold off my headphone system in 2017. Headphones were the HE1000 V1.

 

[Audire]

While I hesitate to call anything "best" the one I've enjoyed the most is the Pass Labs HPA-1, paired with Focal Utopias ...