5/26/2023 0 Comments Earman sparrow![]() Output impedance is rarely published on headphone-amp spec sheets, so we tested for it on our finalists. Put simply, the lower the amplifier’s output impedance, the better 0.1 to 5 ohms is ideal. Adding impedance (or resistance) can change the values of the filter and thus change the sound of a headphone in ways that can be difficult to predict. Every headphone is essentially an electrical filter, with resistance, capacitance, and inductance that affect the sound differently as the frequency changes. Output impedance is effectively a measure of how much an amplifier might affect the sound of a headphone.Ideally, the sound would be measurably or very noticeably better, but as our testing found, that isn’t always the case. An external headphone amp/DAC shouldn’t make headphones sound worse than the one included in your computer or mobile device. As for amplifier power, we wanted a headphone amp that had a measured output of at least 15 milliwatts for 32-ohm headphones, which should be more than enough power for most people to listen at a sufficiently loud volume level.A brief initial setup process is fine, but after that, a good amp/DAC combo should be pretty plug-and-play. You shouldn’t need to fiddle with frustrating software to start listening. We preferred amps that come with adapters that let them work with USB-A or USB-C sources generally, iOS users have to purchase separate adapters. Many are shaped like USB memory sticks, with an integrated male USB-A plug. Connections are, for the most part, limited to USB.A battery-powered portable amp should last at least a full workday per charge, and most of them do. Models that draw power via USB are generally smaller and more portable than those with a built-in battery, but because they take their power from your audio device, they drain the device’s battery (though our tests show this drain to be minimal). We considered both USB- and battery-powered amps. We sought options that could easily fit in a laptop bag or a pocket. If a portable headphone amp is heavy or a pain to lug around, you won’t want to use it. The average audio fan might hesitate to take their amp traveling with them if they paid more than that. ![]() Additionally, since you use these devices on the go, we set a $400 upper price limit.
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