best external amplifier 2021

ripper101 · October 22, 2021

What would be the best external amplifier in the $100-200 range?

Spuriae · October 22, 2021

Depends on the use case. Which headphones, which DAC, what listening levels, what goal?

Speaking purely as an objectivist (completely ignoring any subjective descriptions of what different amplifiers "sound" like), listing the best amplifiers under $200:

Imagine someone with a Topping E50, trying to drive a balanced Hifiman HE6SE with a 12dB digital EQ bass boost (+7 to match Harman curve, +5 because they wear glasses), and who listens to a wide variety of music with different RMS levels. The Schiit Magnius could be the best amplifier for this specific use case in the price range. What if everything about the prompt were identical, but they were trying to power a balanced HD650? Now maybe the Geshelli Erish is the best choice.

Imagine the same objectivist, but they use a dongle DAC and are looking for something to run IEM's at low levels with minimal noise. If they use digital volume control, they should consider the Schiit IEMagni. If they prefer analog volume control, maybe the Sabaj A10h or Topping L30. If they use high impedance IEMs and digital volume control, maybe no amplifier is the best amplifier.

Between these two extremes, there's also a variety of amplifiers that might fit certain niches. If I had to pick just one amplifier in that price range, I'd probably get an IEMagni and replace the volume control with a ≤5kΩ plastic potentiometer – but that's merely my personal favorite, suited for my use case – certainly not the "best" in all applications.