Sony UDA-1 USB DAC for PC with PSB Speakers M4U-2.
Few things are more gratifying or pragmatic than a good set of headphones.
High-quality headphones can sound nearly as detailed and spacious as a full-blown stereo system, making it possible to enjoy your favorite albums in a non-invasive, private listening space that’s completely your own.
When connected to the auxiliary port on your iPhone or PC, great headphones will almost always sound decent. But did you know there are ways you can make your headphones sound better than they do straight out of the box?
To help make it easy for you, we’ve listed some of the most effective ways you can make your headphones sound their best.
Enhance your headphones with an amplifier or DAC
Photo courtesy of Meridian Audio – Meridian Explorer DAC.
Like any standard loudspeaker, headphones require some form of amplification. While the auxiliary jack on your smartphone, tablet, or computer is a passable means for driving your headphones if you’re in a fix, you’re never experiencing their full potential.
Why? Because most computer sound cards are designed for basic audio output over performance, often to cut costs and make it more compact.
Likewise, portable electronics have to power a processor, Wi-Fi, and the display on single lithium ion battery. A powerful amp wouldn’t just drain the battery more rapidly – it would eat up a lot of space inside the device and impact portability.
That’s where a headphone amplifier comes into play. Much like the amp driving your surround sound or stereo system, an good headphone amplifier goes a long way in helping your phones sound their best – especially when most of your listening is done at home or in an office.
While top-shelf headphone amps can cost a pretty penny, options are available that fit comfortably into any budget, making it possible to get great sound without breaking the bank.
What are some of the best desktop headphone amplifiers?
Meridian Prime Headphone Amplifier.
When you want the best of the best for your music, go with the Meridian Audio Prime Headphone Amplifier, a compact component designed to appeal to audio enthusiasts demanding the highest possible performance from conventional and analog audio sources.
Capable of driving multiple headphones at once, the Meridian Prime Headphone Amplifier features three inputs: one optimized to USB sources, analog inputs for RCA sources, and a 3.5mm connection for your smartphone or tablet. Additionally, ASP (Analog Spatial Processing) helps your headphones to sound closer to actual loudspeakers than you ever thought possible.
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, the Sony UDA-1 USB DAC System (pictured at the top of this article) is perfect for PC audio. Along with a dedicated 1/4-inch headphone output, the UDA-1 is also able to power two speaker channels, meaning you can use it for your desktop loudspeakers as well as your headphones.
The Sony UDA-1 USB DAC System is capable of playing DSD and the full range of high-resolution audio file formats. It’s also compatible with iTunes, Windows Media Player, and and other music players. It’s also super easy to connect your Apple and Android device through the on-board USB and analog inputs.
Another great choice is the NAD Electronics D 1050 USB DAC. Built for performance, the NAD D 1050 features a premium-quality headphone amplifier output, making it simple to power even the most demanding headphones from the comfort of your computer chair.
Additionally, the D 1050 USB DAC’s low output impedance minimizes the effect of connecting cables, keeping noise and interference incredibly low, making it great for use with your Mac or PC.
What are some of the best portable USB DACs?
AudioQuest Dragonfly DAC.
A portable DAC – or digital-to-analog converter – can work wonders for your music and your headphones.
In fact, many portable DACs also include a light headphone amplifier that pushes more power to your headphones than the auxiliary jack your tablet, smartphone, or PC. This means great things for your music, your desk space, and your wallet, since you’ll need fewer devices to get the best performance from your headphones when traveling.
The Meridian Audio Explorer is roughly the size of a pocket lighter. Sleek, portable, and delightfully simple, the Explorer replaces your computer’s sound card with a powerful USB DAC. Explorer is able to both amplify your headphones and better-process the music playing from your computer, making it the perfect plug-and-play solution for the headphone enthusiast on the go.
If you’re running with a tighter budget, the AudioQuest Dragonfly DAC is another great option. Highly affordable, the Dragonfly plugs directly into your computer’s USB port, providing better amplification and excellent digital-to-analog conversion.
Both options present a noticeable difference when compared to a direct connection to your existing sound card and should be considered by anyone who wants a bit more from their headphones while on the road or at the office.
Media and file format matter more than you might think
Photo courtesy of AudioQuest – Dragonfly DAC.
Listening to a compressed or streamed music file is like trying to enjoy filet mignon with your nose pinched shut. You’re eating, but you’re missing the flavor, detail, and character that bring it to life.
Compression often chops the high and low frequencies that give music depth and clarity in order to save on space. This was important when storage space was at a premium, but now you likely have greater storage on your laptop than you did in 2005.
Even running your high-end headphones through a quality DAC and amp can only do so much when your source material is watered down. Get studio-grade sound by listening to the best music formats available to you.
It helps if you fill your music library with high-resolution audio files like FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) and ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) from trusted legal sources like HD Tracks or eClassical. Likewise, when ripping CDs to your computer, you can configure the software to rip a lossless copy of the album. If lossless ripping isn’t an option with your software, choose the highest bitrate available to you.
Additionally, if you subscribe to any music streaming services, make sure your preferences are configured so you’re streaming the best quality your account allows. Services such as Spotify grant high-quality streaming for paying “Premium” members. Be sure you enable this feature by going to “Edit > Preferences > Playback > High quality streaming.”
Consider all your options (or perhaps an upgrade)
Paradigm Shift Headphones.
We know it’s tough, but if you’re still dissatisfied with your current headphones, you can always break it off with them to pursue a new set (don’t worry – they’ll understand).
Shop around and experiment with other brands, makes, and models until you find something you like. We encourage it, and our experts are always available to provide a professional opinion so you can find the perfect headphones for your needs.
For headphone shopping made easy, visit any HiFi House location. We feature headphones from top-rated speaker manufacturers like PSB Speakers, Grado Labs, Paradigm, Sony, and AKG. You’ll be able to perform side-by-side comparisons to be sure you’re making the right choice for your ears and your budget.
Click here to schedule an appointment to demo any of the products mentioned in this article, or call 1.800.990.4434.
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