On the second day of CanJam London 2025, I came prepared—with my well-worn HiFiMAN HE1000 Unveiled headphones in tow. Not exactly the most portable choice for navigating London’s crowded streets, but necessary. I looped them around my neck to save my shoulders and tried not to look too ridiculous as I passed tourists, hotdog vendors, and the occasional disapproving pigeon near Westminster Bridge.
There was a method to the madness. With so many unfamiliar desktop DAC-Amps on display, I needed something I knew inside and out to properly evaluate the desktop gear—and this year, that category quietly stole the show.
Here are some of the best desktop DACs and headphone amps I heard at CanJam London 2025. which accompanies my headphone, DAP and Dongle DAC picks from the event.
Orchard Audio Valencia
The Orchard Audio Valencia is a beast—there’s really no other way to put it. Built just under an hour from eCoustics Editor-in-Chief Ian White’s home on the Jersey Shore, this New Jersey-made amplifier pushes an absurd 17 watts into a 32-ohm load, making it one of the most powerful desktop headphone amps I’ve ever encountered. If you’ve got a headphone that’s hard to drive, the Valencia doesn’t flinch—it dares you to bring something it can’t handle.
It was developed specifically with the Modhouse Tungsten in mind, a notoriously power-hungry set of cans, and in collaboration with none other than Z Reviews, one of the most influential (and polarizing) audiophile voices on YouTube.
Despite its muscle, the Valencia keeps things stripped down: no volume control, no extras, just a single 4-pin XLR headphone output and the raw authority of clean, high-current power. You’ll need to adjust volume at the DAC level, but that’s a small tradeoff for what it delivers.
What you get in return is some of the tightest, most textured bass I’ve heard from any amplifier—desktop or otherwise. The rest of the frequency response is refreshingly neutral, uncolored, and brutally honest.
At $1,999.95 USD or £1,829 in the UK via Elise Audio, the Orchard Audio Valencia isn’t trying to win you over with bells and whistles. It’s here to dominate—and it absolutely does.
3 New FiiO Products You Need to Know About in 2025
After a quick run-through of FiiO’s latest portable gear at CanJam London, I shifted my focus to the desktop side of their booth—specifically the new K15 DAC/Amp, priced at £499.99 / $549.
First impression? The build quality is rock solid, sharing the same chassis design as the significantly more expensive K17. It looks and feels premium, with no obvious corners cut to hit the lower price point.
Sonically, the K15 impressed with its refined and balanced sound signature. The midrange had a silky smoothness that brought vocals forward without sounding syrupy, the bass was tight and controlled, and the treble sparkled just enough—no harshness, no artificial detail boosting. It just sounded… grown up.
On the usability front, FiiO nailed the experience with a crystal-clear 3.93-inch touchscreen, satisfyingly tactile switches, and up to 3W of output power from a fully-balanced audio circuit. For around 500 bucks, the K15 feels like a well-executed all-in-one desktop solution for anyone looking to upgrade from entry-level gear without breaking the bank.
But if there was one FiiO product that really stood out to me at CanJam London, it was the upcoming K13R2R. Despite being positioned below the K15 in the lineup, this thing might just be FiiO’s most interesting desktop release of the year.
Set to land at around $300, according to reps at the booth, the K13R2R delivers 2.3 watts of output power, just slightly under the K15. It also carries over the same 10-band parametric EQ functionality, which is a big win for anyone looking to fine-tune their sound without needing external software or hardware.
The big difference, as the name hints, is in the DAC architecture. Unlike the Delta-Sigma chips used in most gear—including the K15—the K13R2R uses a resistor ladder (R-2R) design to convert digital signals to analog. It’s less efficient, a bit more old-school, but many argue it delivers a more organic, relaxed presentation.
After a short session listening with my HiFiMAN HE1000 Unveiled, I’m inclined to agree. The K13R2R added a natural warmth and smoothness that stood out immediately. It’s not a “wow” sound—it’s a “settle in and listen for hours” sound. If you’re sensitive to treble fatigue or just want a DAC/amp that disappears into the music, this could be the sleeper hit of FiiO’s 2025 lineup.
Rounding out the lineup was the Warmer R2R, a standalone DAC that—as the name not-so-subtly hints—uses the same resistor ladder architecture found in the K13R2R. Who would’ve guessed?
Cosmetically, it leans heavily into the retro aesthetic, with physical VU meters and a design that pairs nicely with the K15. My demo unit had a cracked glass panel (CanJam battle scars), but even so, I appreciated the overall look—especially if you’re a sucker for old-school hi-fi vibes.
As for the sound? It lives up to its name. The Warmer R2R definitely added body and smoothness to everything I played through it. Treble was relaxed without feeling muted, and the low end had a firm, authoritative presence that gave tracks real weight without overdoing it.
FiiO reps mentioned that the Warmer R2R should drop in late August or early September, with pricing expected somewhere in the $350 to $450 range. If you’re looking for a no-frills DAC with character and charm, this one could be an excellent match for a variety of amps—especially if you already own the K15 and want a little extra analog soul in your chain.
Violectric HPA V324
Another standout at CanJam London sporting real analog VU meters was the Violectric HPA V324, a serious piece of gear both in terms of specs and price. At £2,240 / €2,599, it’s not aimed at casual listeners—but Violectric has definitely brought the goods to justify the investment.
We’re talking 5,000mW into 50 ohms and a massive 21 Vrms into 600 ohms, which puts this amp squarely in the “drive anything with authority” category. If you’re running high-impedance dynamic headphones, this thing was built for you.
One of the more welcome quality-of-life improvements over previous Violectric models is the elimination of those frustrating dip switches on the back for gain adjustment. Instead, the V324 features a front-mounted barrel adjustorfor pre-gain—finally making gain staging a tool, not a chore.
As for the sound, the V324 leans warm and syrupy, with a weight and smoothness that honestly outclasses a lot of tube amps I’ve heard. I expect it to pair exceptionally well with brighter dynamic headphones—like the Beyerdynamic DT880 Edition 600 Ohm—where its rich tonal character can bring out warmth and depth without dulling detail. If you’re looking for an amp that delivers power, finesse, and a bit of old-school analog soul, this one absolutely earns its VU meters.
Topping A900/D900
Topping has built its reputation on squeezing every last drop of technical performance from its DACs and amps, and the new A900 amplifier ($1199) and D900 DAC ($1799) continue that tradition without flinching.
The A900 is a 22-watt monster with headline-grabbing specs: 151dB DNR/SNR, <0.00003% THD, and a patented three-stage amplification circuit designed for ultra-precise gain control. Sitting just above it, the D900 DAC brings similarly absurd numbers to the table, including jitter suppression down to -157dB, a 10-band PEQ, and an extensive suite of inputs and outputs that should cover just about every use case imaginable.
Together, the stack will set you back around £3,000 total (£1,200 for the amp, £1,800 for the DAC), and honestly, at that price, my only real gripe is the tiny two-inch displays. With gear this powerful—and this expensive—you’d hope for a screen big enough to actually read from across the desk.
As expected from Topping (outside of a few curveballs like the D90 III Discrete and Centaurus), the A900/D900 stack delivers an ultra-neutral, reference-grade sound. What stood out most was the sheer dynamic force—thanks to all that power under the hood. It’s a setup clearly aimed at the listener who wants clinical precision, uncompromising control, and raw numbers that make engineers weep with joy.
Mass Kobo 485
Getting your hands on a Mass Kobo review unit is next to impossible—and that’s no accident. Each piece is made to order and hand-built by Masanori Masuda-san himself, with production times that stretch into weeks. This is audio as craftsmanship, not mass production.
The new 485 is the latest flagship from the boutique Japanese brand, priced at a head-spinning ¥880,000 / £5,499 / $6,099. And if you’re spec-chasing, you might scroll right past it: 2 watts of output, average THD and noise figures, and no flashy engineering tricks.
But the magic is in the listening. The 485 delivers an extraordinary level of transparency and three-dimensionality, with imaging and staging that feel almost unreal. It’s not the kind of amp that wraps you in warmth—it’s incisive, revealing, and surgically detailed. If you want to hear every breath, every room reverb, every microdynamic tucked into your recordings, this thing will pull them out like it’s decoding a secret message.
It’s a pure listening experience—the kind of holographic, high-resolution sound that spec sheets can’t explain. If you’ve got the headphones and the budget, Mass Kobo 485 is one of the most honest-sounding amps money can buy. Just don’t expect to see one in stock. Ever.
HiFiMAN Serenade JR
The HiFiMAN Serenade JR has been quietly available in China for over a year but only made its Western debut at Munich High-End this past May.
As the name hints, it’s a pared-down take on the original Serenade. Same chassis—though now in striking red instead of black—but with a slightly less powerful DAC chip and a lower output of 3 watts into 32 ohms. The price reflects that, too, dropping to £619 ($649, €719) versus nearly a grand for the full Serenade.
That said, it still sports the same Himalaya R2R DAC architecture, which translates into a warm, natural sound signature that plays nice with just about any headphone—including my trusty HE1000 Unveiled. Not exactly surprising, considering it’s all HiFiMAN under the hood.
If you’re looking for a taste of the flagship Serenade sound without the flagship price, the Serenade JR is a smart, wallet-friendly compromise.
Chord Electronics Alto
Next up, I wandered over to the Chord Electronics booth to check out their freshly released Alto.
Despite its compact footprint, the Alto punches well above its weight, delivering a solid 2,250mW into 100 ohms, thanks to Chord’s signature “Ultimate” amplifier technology borrowed from their flagship desktop amps.
My time with the Alto was brief—just about five minutes—but it made an impression. The sound was detailed and dynamic, though on the darker side due to a slight roll-off in the upper treble. That could actually be a bonus if you’ve got headphones that tend to get harsh or shouty up top.
If you want a powerful, finely tuned amp that’s not going to fill your desk, the Alto is definitely worth a listen.
Feliks Audio Bliss
This one was definitely intriguing. Feliks Audio has just launched their first electrostatic tube amplifier—the Bliss—with a price tag to match at £20,000. And honestly, for the right buyer, it might be worth every penny just on build quality and aesthetics alone.
Their rep, Mateusz, gave me the lowdown on the oak wood casing, explaining it’s heated and impregnated over several days before assembly to prevent stress from the huge temperature swings the amp experiences powering on and off. Not exactly something you hear every day in the amplifier world. And, naturally, Feliks has handpicked the best, longest-lasting valves for this flagship.
The Bliss was paired with the HiFiMAN Shangri-La headphones during my brief listen. I have to admit, the combo didn’t quite gel for me. The Shangri-La’s treble was razor-sharp and sibilant—more than I’m comfortable with—and I suspect that’s more the headphone’s quirk than the amp’s fault. I couldn’t stick around for long, so I’m keen to revisit the Bliss with headphones I know better before passing final judgment.
SAEQ ASTRAEUS – Best Cost No Object
SAEQ stands for Serbian Audio Equipment, and founder Dragan Domanovic has been crafting amps, cables, and DACs for over 50 years—so this isn’t some weekend hobby.
The ASTRAEUS (€9400) is the product of that lifetime of dedication, and it shows—not just in the jaw-dropping, steampunk-inspired design, but in the amp’s equally impressive sonic performance.
Paired with the Musetec MH-DA006 DAC ($3,900), I can confidently say the hybrid-tube ASTRAEUS delivered the most holographic and three-dimensional soundstage I’ve ever heard from an amplifier. Sure, it shines across the board, but the imaging precision and coherence were the real stars here—putting you dead center in the mix like few amps can.
Sendy Audio Kylin – Best Mid-Tier Option
I came into CanJam London well-prepped and pretty sure I knew what to expect—but the Sendy Audio Kylin caught me completely off guard.
The rep told me it’s been out for about three months, but good luck finding much info online. Here’s what I dug up: priced around $1,500, the Kylin is a tube amplifier pumping a hefty 10 watts into 30 ohms, plus it doubles as a DAC with the reliable ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M chip inside.
The tubes definitely shine through here—I loved the euphonic, lush sound with an infinitely wide soundstage that paired perfectly with my HE1000 Unveiled. This is a tube amp that can actually handle low-sensitivity planar magnetics without breaking the bank, which is pretty rare under two grand.
Here’s hoping Sendy brings the Kylin to the West soon—because it’s a seriously compelling piece of kit.
Topping DX5 II – Best On A Budget
At the other end of Topping’s lineup—just down the hall from the powerhouse A900/D900 stack at the Electromod booth—was the DX5 II DAC/Amp ($299).
At a mere £299, the DX5 II somehow crams many of the same features as its flagship siblings at roughly one-tenth the price. You still get the 10-band parametric EQ and the same two-inch full-color display, which is a solid win for usability at this level.
But what really blew me away was the power: compared to the outgoing DX5’s 1.7 watts, the DX5 II pushes an insane 7.6 watts of max output. I actually thought I misheard at first.
That means this $299 all-in-one can now drive beasts like the original HE6 and even the Modhouse Tungsten without breaking a sweat. Hats off to Topping for delivering what’s basically flagship-level power to the masses for the first time.
The Bottom Line
The sheer variety and sonic diversity of desktop sources and amplifiers at CanJam London 2025 was nothing short of astounding. Despite the common misconception that all solid-state gear sounds alike, this event proved that source components dramatically shape the listening experience—and not just at the high end.
What’s truly exciting is how rapidly innovation is accelerating across price points, with standout performers emerging at every budget level. For North American headphone users, many of these cutting-edge products—often crafted overseas—rarely make it stateside for hands-on testing. When the chance arises, it’s an opportunity not to be missed.
If CanJam London is any indicator, the future of desktop audio gear is not only brighter but more accessible than ever. Next year’s lineup can’t come soon enough.