[ShangriLa]

I'm looking for a headphone amp for my IEM (Hisenior Mega5EST). I have a few DACs (Denafrips Ares II, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE) so need an amp without DAC. What I'm looking for is pure sound quality, but many amps and their reviews focus a lot on power output for headphone, which I have no use of. Wondering what are some good options up to $1k or $2k for my IEM.

I guess 2 things to consider are: 1. are more expensive amps really offer better sound quality? 2. Will my iem really sound better with better amp. BTW I will also get a dongle DAC like Onix Alpha or iBasso DC07 Pro, and hope my fullsize DAC/Amp will give a meaningful sound quality upgrade compared to the dongle DAC.

Or all I need is a $300 Topping/SMSL. Thanks.

 

[dunring]

The lowest noise floor ever measured on audiosciencereview with the 50mv test is the Topping L30 II. I've had that amplifier with a Topping L50 on optical. With 10ohm IEMs I got goosebumps on some songs because the details leap out with an amplifier that quiet.
I get equipment in all the time and those are kingpin for IEM amplifiers. Spending more won't be any better.

 

[Tekk59]

imo, the violectric v222 sound amazing with iem's . low noise floor, black background, big soundstage, great imaging, and up to -18 db of gain.

 

[ShangriLa]

The lowest noise floor ever measured on audiosciencereview with the 50mv test is the Topping L30 II. I've had that amplifier with a Topping L50 on optical. With 10ohm IEMs I got goosebumps on some songs because the details leap out with an amplifier that quiet.
I get equipment in all the time and those are kingpin for IEM amplifiers. Spending more won't be any better.

I wonder what the differences are between Topping's A and L series.

 

[ShangriLa]

imo, the violectric v222 sound amazing with iem's . low noise floor, black background, big soundstage, great imaging, and up to -18 db of gain.

I just discovered Violectric/Lake people amps. Really like their industrial design.