# Recommend a headphone amp for my laptop **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 27, 2016, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-headphone-amp-for-my-laptop/755777 "2016-05-27T01:00:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-headphone-amp-for-my-laptop/755777/1 "2016-05-27T01:00:02Z")
The speakers on my laptop are pretty lame and headphones on their own aren’t much better so I’m looking for an inexpensive amp to use with headphones. Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-headphone-amp-for-my-laptop/755777/2 "2016-05-27T03:55:02Z")
I have one of [these](http://www.amazon.com/Mackie-Mix-Mix5-5-Channel-Mixer/dp/B00ND1K8T6/ref=sr_1_13?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1464320682&sr=1-13&keywords=mackie). It might be overkill for your purposes but the price and quality is good and obviously you can plug other stuff into it. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-headphone-amp-for-my-laptop/755777/3 "2016-05-27T05:50:47Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > The speakers on my laptop are pretty lame and headphones on their own aren’t much better so I’m looking for an inexpensive amp to use with headphones. Any suggestions? zoid, how do you interface it to a laptop? ---
**Author:** ![IT\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3ec8ea/32.png) [@IT\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IT_Guy)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-headphone-amp-for-my-laptop/755777/4 "2016-05-27T06:32:26Z")
Depending on your definition of ‘inexpensive’, take a look at the Schiit (yes, pronounced the way you think) ‘[Magni 2](http://schiit.com/products/magni-2)’ and ‘[Modi 2](http://schiit.com/products/modi-2)’. The ‘Modi 2’ is a USB interface DAC, and the ‘Magni 2’ a headphone amp that will drive pretty much any set of 'phones available. Total of $200+shipping for the pair. If that is too high, there is the ‘[Fulla](http://schiit.com/products/fulla)’; a combination DAC/amp for $79. Not as much power as the Magni, but sufficient for most low-impedance headphones. And they are made in the US. ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-headphone-amp-for-my-laptop/755777/5 "2016-05-27T12:27:24Z")
> [@mack](#): > > I have one of [these](http://www.amazon.com/Mackie-Mix-Mix5-5-Channel-Mixer/dp/B00ND1K8T6/ref=sr_1_13?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1464320682&sr=1-13&keywords=mackie). It might be overkill for your purposes but the price and quality is good and obviously you can plug other stuff into it. Whoa - The url I linked to is Amazon but when I click the hyperlink it goes to Best Buy? Is it just me? ---
**Author:** ![Kyrie\_Eleison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kyrie_eleison/32/7682_2.png) [@Kyrie\_Eleison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyrie_Eleison)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-headphone-amp-for-my-laptop/755777/6 "2016-05-27T13:41:02Z")
> [@mack](#): > > Whoa - The url I linked to is Amazon but when I click the hyperlink it goes to Best Buy? Is it just me? No, it’s something called viglink, which the SDMB uses to make a few bucks. They substitute links for products away from some sites referenced in posts to those of their clients. [Thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=780397) on it here. SDMB: It’s against the rules to alter content in quote boxes, but altering originally posted content? That’s A-OK. Whatcha gonna do? ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-headphone-amp-for-my-laptop/755777/7 "2016-05-27T15:28:39Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > zoid, how do you interface it to a laptop? Via the headphone jack ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-headphone-amp-for-my-laptop/755777/8 "2016-05-27T16:50:43Z")
> [@IT\_Guy](#): > > Depending on your definition of ‘inexpensive’, take a look at the Schiit (yes, pronounced the way you think) ‘[Magni 2](http://schiit.com/products/magni-2)’ and ‘[Modi 2](http://schiit.com/products/modi-2)’. The ‘Modi 2’ is a USB interface DAC, and the ‘Magni 2’ a headphone amp that will drive pretty much any set of 'phones available. Total of $200+shipping for the pair. This is what I use for my PC and Sennheiser 600’s. Works like a charm. ---
**Author:** ![Heracles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heracles/32/487_2.png) [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-headphone-amp-for-my-laptop/755777/9 "2016-05-27T17:04:38Z")
For just amplifying sound, I use the [FiiO E6](http://www.fiio.net/en/products/5) inline amp. It’s about the size of a matchbox, with ordinary stereo connectors. There’s a USB connector for charging the internal battery. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-headphone-amp-for-my-laptop/755777/10 "2016-05-29T08:17:26Z")
> [@IT\_Guy](#): > > Depending on your definition of ‘inexpensive’, take a look at the Schiit (yes, pronounced the way you think) ‘[Magni 2](http://schiit.com/products/magni-2)’ and ‘[Modi 2](http://schiit.com/products/modi-2)’. The ‘Modi 2’ is a USB interface DAC, and the ‘Magni 2’ a headphone amp that will drive pretty much any set of 'phones available. Total of $200+shipping for the pair. > > If that is too high, there is the ‘[Fulla](http://schiit.com/products/fulla)’; a combination DAC/amp for $79. Not as much power as the Magni, but sufficient for most low-impedance headphones. > > And they are made in the US. Hey IT Guy! Can I interface this with my iPhone? (Inquiring minds wanna know…) ---
**Author:** ![IT\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3ec8ea/32.png) [@IT\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IT_Guy)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-headphone-amp-for-my-laptop/755777/11 "2016-05-29T08:52:35Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > Hey IT Guy! Can I interface this with my iPhone? (Inquiring minds wanna know…) From the FAQ for the Fulla: iPhones: you’ll need iOS 7 or 8, the magic overpriced Apple cable and a power source (hub or battery, or, for full LOLs, Wyrd.) This is covered in the Guides/Getting Connected section of the site, with links to cables, hubs, etc. Wyrd is their USB ‘denoiser’ and powered single-port hub. They say you can use the Modi 2 with an iPhone also. Check out their [site](http://schiit.com/); the FAQ section for each unit gives a good bit of information about what can be used with what.