DAC and Headphone Amplifiers

For serious audiophiles, achieving the best possible sound quality from their headphones is a top priority. But how do you know whether to invest in a DAC or a headphone amplifier? Both options can improve your audio quality, but they work in different ways. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between DAC and headphone amplifiers and help you decide which option is best suited for your needs.

DACs – Digital to Analog Convertors

The built-in conversion system in your computer or phone can be upgraded or replaced using a DAC. Although most modern computers and smartphones have powerful converters, some users might prefer to have access to higher-quality audio with more dynamic range and less compression for a more immersive experience.

DACs typically come in a variety of sizes and styles, from power, desktop-style models to pocket-sized gadgets you can use with your phone. Your choice of DAC is influenced by a number of variables, such as:

Do you use it for your computer or phone?

Depending on this, you’ll need to consider portability. You don’t necessarily need a very portable device if you want to enhance your gaming experience.

Do you need an amplifier built in?

The majority of DACs come equipped with headphone amplifiers, eliminating the need for extra equipment; however, some DACs are merely converters. This is helpful if you want to do the amplification yourself or if you’re using powered speakers.

Is a higher or lower impedance required?

The sensitivity of your headphone drivers will determine this. Ensure that the impedances between your devices are matched by consulting your specification sheet. What impedance requirements are required will determine whether the DAC can drive your headphones or not. A DAC should have enough power for your headphones before you purchase them.

What sort of outputs are required?

For your headphones or earbuds, DACs will either have a 1/8-inch (3.5mm) or 1/4-inch TRS output. Although an adaptor is relatively inexpensive, you should make sure that the connection between your headphones and DAC is one you’re happy with and that the DAC you choose can deliver the sound quality you require.

There are different tiers of DACs, like most consumer goods; some are only capable of driving the speakers, while others are excellent at what they do and can boost both your listening volume and the overall sound quality that you hear.

Technical Specifications

If you’re an engineer or audiophile, you should think about the DAC’s bit depth and sample rate to make sure you’re satisfied with the processing power, especially if you’re using one as the output for your DAW.

View our complete list of suggested USB DACs.

Headphone Amplifiers

Compared to DACs, headphone amplifiers are not as complex. Although there is a little more to it, a headphone amplifier, as the name suggests, amplifies a low-level source signal to a signal strong enough to drive the speakers in your headphones.

While selecting a headphone amplifier is less involved and typically less expensive than selecting a DAC, there are still some factors to take into account:

What kind of input do I need?

Although some are also RCA-compatible, TRS or XLR inputs, either mono or stereo, are frequently accepted by headphone amplifiers. Make sure the headphone amplifier is compatible with the rest of your equipment because this is entirely dependent on the outputs of your current setup and the location where you intend to use it. The ability to run separate mono or stereo inputs for each channel on headphone amplifiers with multiple outputs lets you set up multiple auxiliary sends for monitoring.

How many outputs do I need?

A single-output headphone amplifier should be adequate for gamers and audiophiles; however, if you want to play games or listen to music with friends, or if you work in a studio and want to use it for monitoring, a multi-output model is recommended. There are some of these that have an input for each channel, and they typically have between 4 and 12 channels.

Are any inline controls necessary?

One or two controls per output channel are available on some of the more expert headphone amplifiers. They may have basic features like a mono/stereo toggle switch, basic 2 or 3-band equalization for each output, or decibel reduction pads. Once more, a lot will depend on your needs and intended applications.

So Which One do you need?

If you’re still unsure about whether you require a DAC or a headphone amplifier, take into account the following:

The sound quality that naturally emanates from your phone or computer can be enhanced with a DAC. These are for gamers, movie buffs, and audiophiles who want a more immersive experience. They are also for music producers and engineers who want a portable setup so they can still get an accurate representation of their work without having to carry an interface around.

When you want to use headphones to listen to a source that is transmitting a signal below the listenable threshold or wants to split the signal among multiple listeners, you should use a headphone amplifier.

This is a crucial feature to look out for and, as previously mentioned, completely depends on your needs. Some DACs, as previously mentioned, have their own built-in amplifiers, while others require the use of an external headphone amplifier.

See our complete list of suggested headphone amplifiers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)