I'm an audiophile — these Prime Day deals on headphones, DACs and more will transform your listening experience

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The ultimate desktop audio

Audiophile deals
(Image credit: Fosi Audio/Douk/Sennheiser)

Your work desk. It's either completely barren, with a screen, computer and a keyboard, or covered with everything from extraneous cables, models of your favorite cars, plants, and other assorted detritus. I'd like not only a little of your time, but also some space on your desk — because I can guarantee that the things I'm going to fill it with are well worth it.

Wired headphones that make you sound like you're in a concert hall, amplifiers to help those headphones shine, and DACs that convert the digital music files from the best streaming services so that they sound their absolute best. That's what I'm offering.

Thanks to the October Amazon Prime Day sales, there's rarely a better time to up your desktop audio game than right now. So, from the Fosi Audio DS2 DAC that's $47 at Amazon to the Sennheiser HD 569 that costs $122 at Amazon, here are the best desktop audio setups that won't leave you penniless.

The headphones

Sennheiser HD 660S2

(Image credit: Sennheiser)

If there's one thing you buy off this list, let it be a pair of wired headphones. They're the core of your audio setup. Nothing else here works without them. If you can only afford one thing right now, buy headphones. You can use them right away with anything else — something you can't say about DACs and amplifiers (woops, spoiler alert).

A couple of things to know about headphones before we get started. It's worth reading up on your chosen pair of headphones first. I won't go into powering your headphones here, but some are thirstier for juice than others. Make sure you're buying headphones that your system can power; otherwise, they won't be at their best. A quick Google search will tell you everything you need to know.

You'll also want to choose headphones that suit your environment. Home office hero, and want some headphones that extend your soundstage? You won't have to worry about environmental noise as much (unless you work next to a road, or something), so some open-backed headphones will be perfect. They let all the noise in and out, but give you more immersive sound in return.

In an office and surrounded by noise? We're going to go with a closed back. You'll not hear as much of the outside world (and they won't be able to hear your most embarrassing music either), and you'll get some stronger bass. The soundstage won't be as impressive, however.

Sennheiser HD 569
Sennheiser HD 569: was $179 now $122 at Amazon

This pair of closed-back headphones is perfect for office use. They're not too expensive, so you won't mind if a jealous colleague from another cubicle "borrows" them, and the closed-backs mean they won't let noise in and out. They also sound excellent, with a wealth of detail and ample mid-range warmth. They're also light and comfortable, and the cable is replaceable.

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HiFiMan Sundara
HiFiMan Sundara: was $229 now $179 at Amazon

These are a more affordable pair of open-backed wireless headphones. They're very detail-oriented, so expect some brightness when you wear them. They're light and relatively comfortable, and the replaceable cable means they'll last a long time.

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Sennheiser HD 660S2
Sennheiser HD 660S2: was $679 now $429 at Amazon

This is the ultimate pair of open-backed headphones. They're my testing headphones of choice, bringing perfectly balanced sound to the table for some excellent listening experiences. They're not cheap, but they're some of the best-sounding headphones for the price. You can swap the cable out as well, should the one in the box end up breaking.

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The DAC

iFi Go Link Max

(Image credit: iFi)

"Tammy," I hear you cry. "What's a DAC," you continue, "and why do I need one?"

Everything that can play music has a DAC in it. It's a digital-to-analog converter, and it takes the digital tracks from the best streaming services and makes them into a listenable signal that your headphones can play — and that you'll recognize as "music." Or whatever approximates as such in your world.

The better the DAC, the better your music will sound — and when you've got some lovely wired headphones that are capable of maximizing your music quality, a decent separate DAC is always a good idea. Here are some great options in the Prime Day sales.

Fosi Audio K7 Gaming DAC
Fosi Audio K7 Gaming DAC: was $199 now $159 at Amazon

This desktop DAC is great for audiophiles and gamers alike. There's a mic port on the front and a built-in noise reducer so that your voice sounds great in chat. For your headphones, you get some top-notch DAC circuitry to make your music sound much better than the standard headphone jack on your computer.

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Fosi Audio DS2
Fosi Audio DS2: was $59 now $47 at Amazon

This little guy is perfect if you're listening with a phone. It's compact and connects over USB-C. It won't be able to power serious headphones, but most wired options aren't going to have any problems. It's going to make Spotify Lossless sound its absolute best, that's for sure.

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The Amp

Close up of WiiM Amp in silver

(Image credit: WiiM)

I'm not going to tell you to go and buy a big ol' HiFi amp and try and find some space for it on your desk. Instead, there are some more compact models designed for headphones that aren't going to break the bank, while taking up less space on your work surface.

Why do you want an amp? Well, if you've bought some of those more power-hungry headphones, then the amplifier will give you the power you need for them to sound their best. But it's also good for headphones that don't need extra power, enriching the sound quality of your headphones at lower volumes.

So now that we know why you need one — let's see which model you should pick up this Prime Day.

Douk Audio U3 Pro
Douk Audio U3 Pro: was $89 now $63 at Amazon

This little headphone amp will provide plenty of power for your headphones, and it happens to look adorable. Plug your DAC in with the RCA cables at the back, plug your headphones into the front, and away you go. Just remember to max the volume on your other devices — that way, the control on the front of the U3 will dictate volume.

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For more great discounts, be sure to check out our Amazon Prime Day deals live blog right now.

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Tammy Rogers
Tammy Rogers
Audio Editor

Tammy and her generous collection of headphones have found a new home — Tom's Guide! After a two-and-a-half-year stint as iMore's resident audiophile, Tammy's reviews and buying guide expertise have more focus than ever on Tom's Guide, helping buyers find the audio gear that works best for them. Tammy has worked with some of the most desirable audio brands on the planet in her time writing about headphones, speakers, and more, bringing a consumer focussed approach to critique and buying advice. Away from her desk, you'll probably find her in the countryside writing (extremely bad) poetry, or putting her screenwriting Masters to good use creating screenplays that'll never see the light of day.

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