Best Headphone Amps Under $800 2026
Affordable headphone amps under $800 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.4/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sonifex Redbox RB-HD2
by
Sonifex
Professional Recording
High Impedance
Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Multiple headphone outputs available
✓ PROS
- • Professional monitoring capability
- • Multiple headphone outputs available
✗ CONS
- • May not be needed for all headphones
- • Requires additional desk space
Sonifex Redbox RB-HD2, Headphone Amplifier, An XLR stereo or mono input, Two adjustable headphone outputs, Dimensions:...
⭐
4.4/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 208742
$589
#2
⭐
4.5/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
SPL Phonitor One
by
SPL
High Impedance
Multiple Headphones
Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Multiple headphone outputs available
✓ PROS
- • Professional monitoring capability
- • High-quality audio reproduction
✗ CONS
- • Requires additional desk space
- • Power consumption consideration
SPL Phonitor OneHeadphone AmplifierFor studio and hi-fi applicationsInfinitely adjustable crossfeed function -...
⭐
4.5/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 503949
$516
#3
⭐
4.6/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Lake People G111 MKII Phone-Amp
by
Lake People
Critical Listening
Professional Recording
Multiple Headphones
Key Feature:
• Dedicated headphone amplification
✓ PROS
- • Professional monitoring capability
- • Improved headphone performance
✗ CONS
- • Learning curve for optimal settings
- • May not be needed for all headphones
Lake People G111 MKII Phone-AmpHeadphone AmplifierTransistorised amplifierAlps RK 27 potentiometer for volume...
⭐
4.6/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 560234
$714
#4
⭐
4.7/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Lake People G103-D4 Dante
by
Lake People
Studio Monitoring
Professional Recording
Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Improved headphone performance
✓ PROS
- • High-quality audio reproduction
- • Improved headphone performance
✗ CONS
- • May not be needed for all headphones
- • Power consumption consideration
Lake People G103-D4 DanteHeadphone Amplifier for Dante NetworksIdeal for headphones with different impedances and...
⭐
4.7/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 615756
$688
#5
⭐
4.7/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
SPL Phonitor One d
by
SPL
Multiple Headphones
Audiophile Setup
High Impedance
Key Feature:
• Professional monitoring capability
✓ PROS
- • Multiple headphone outputs available
- • Improved headphone performance
✗ CONS
- • May not be needed for all headphones
- • Requires additional desk space
SPL Phonitor One dHeadphone AmplifierPowerful headphone amplifier for studio and hi-fi applicationsInfinitely...
⭐
4.7/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 503951
$791
#6
⭐
5.0/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Rupert Neve Designs RNHP
Professional Recording
High Impedance
Multiple Headphones
Key Feature:
• High-quality audio reproduction
✓ PROS
- • Dedicated headphone amplification
- • Professional monitoring capability
✗ CONS
- • Additional cost and complexity
- • Power consumption consideration
Rupert Neve Designs RNHPHigh-End Headphone AmplifierBased on the headphone amplifier section of the Rupert Neve Designs...
⭐
5.0/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 396310
$692
#7
⭐
4.4/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Heritage Audio O.H.M. Amp
Professional Recording
Multiple Headphones
Studio Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Improved headphone performance
✓ PROS
- • Multiple headphone outputs available
- • Professional monitoring capability
✗ CONS
- • Additional cost and complexity
- • Power consumption consideration
Heritage Audio O.H.M. AmpHeadphone AmplifierWith dynamic output impedance matching to headphonesOutput impedance:...
⭐
4.4/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 608911
$604
#8
⭐
4.5/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sonifex Redbox RB-HD1
by
Sonifex
Multiple Headphones
Professional Recording
Audiophile Setup
Key Feature:
• Dedicated headphone amplification
✓ PROS
- • High-quality audio reproduction
- • Multiple headphone outputs available
✗ CONS
- • Additional cost and complexity
- • May not be needed for all headphones
Sonifex Redbox RB-HD1Headphone amplifierXLR stereo and XLR mono input for talkover functionLevel and talkover...
⭐
4.5/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 176652
$604
#9
⭐
4.9/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Tascam MH-8
by
Tascam
Critical Listening
High Impedance
Professional Recording
Key Feature:
• Professional monitoring capability
✓ PROS
- • Multiple headphone outputs available
- • Improved headphone performance
✗ CONS
- • Power consumption consideration
- • May not be needed for all headphones
Tascam MH-88 Channel headphone amplifier2 Stereo inputs can be assigned to each of the headphone channelsInput 1:...
⭐
4.9/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 242637
$527
How to Choose the Best Headphone Amps
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced headphone amps typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
