Incorporating headphones into my pc audio system


  I already have a good computer audio setup for playback through my speakers but would like the option of using a high quality headphone when I need to keep things quiet.

    My current system consists of a laptop running JRiver, a Synology 2 TB NAS and an Oppo 105 as a preamp and DAC.  Even though I managed to construct a fairly solid system for ripped CDs and downloaded 24/96 flac files recorded direct to digital, I still consider myself somewhat of a newcomer to computer audio that  still has a lot to learn. 
   My current need is to learn how to best incorporate a yet to be purchased pair of high quality headphones into my system.  My confusion centers around the way my system is currently setup;  my Synology storage device is hard wired into my Comcast wi-fi router. My laptop running JRiver and my Oppo 105 serving as my DAC are both connected to my wi-fi and operating wirelessly.  The Synology, router and Oppo are all located between my speakers in my rack along the 14' short wall of my 23' x14' room.  My listening chair is along the opposite short wall where I also have my laptop.
     I know I could plug headphones into the 1/4" headphone jack of the Oppo but the chord would need to run the entire length of the room.  I was hoping someone had a better solution.  I also know wired is generally considered better than wireless for sound quality but I'm open to a wireless solution since I haven't noticed any sound degragation using wireless connectivity in other areas of my system.
     Just curious what solutions others here use and  would also appreciate any good over-ear headphone  recommendations in the $200-600 range.  
Thanks,
 Tim
noble100

Showing 7 responses by kijanki

Try Oppo HA-2SE headphone amp ($299).  Has all sorts of inputs including analog, S/Pdif and USB.  I have earlier version (HA-2) and use it as stationary amplifier with my Mac Mini via USB and also as portable amp with my Samsung phone - also via USB. Sound is wonderful and build quality is top notch.

https://www.oppodigital.com/headphone-amplifier-ha-2SE/
Noble100, that would be the easiest for you but you will get two extra conversions: A/D + D/A, three conversions total when you play digital:  D/A + A/D + D/A
Yes, Oppo converted signal from digital to analog, but you wan't to send it over WiFi to the headphones.  Such transmission is digital hence signal will have to be converted again to digital and back to analog.
Noble100, I assume that you want to avoid long headphone extension cord.  I have Benchmark DAC with headphone output but don't want to run cable across the room so I bought portable headphone amp.

I've never heard of direct analog wireless transmission in audio.  Some kind of modulation would have to be involved.  Even if the signal stays in analog domain it will still be altered twice (modulation, demodulation etc.)  I found that Audioengine sound bars work wirelessly with W3 adapter ($150) over 100'.  They call it "Best sounding 16-bit wireless adaptor" suggesting digital transmission.
Hi Tim,  My situation might be different, since I don't use CDP.  I transfer music from computer/server located next to my armchair over WiFi to Airport Express and then thru optical to DAC.  Headphone amp is next to me plugged into computer's (Mac Mini) USB.  Sound quality of this amp is fantastic.  New "SE" version uses ESS Sabre ES9028-Q2M  D/A converter and discrete output stage.  It also has strong lithium battery (charged thru USB) allowing me to used it with my phone's USB.  In case you wonder - No, I don't work for Oppo  :)

Longer cable should work and I also like idea of separate place/armchair for headphone listening.  People replace headphone cables with better quality ones, often longer.  For instance Cardas makes quality cables for Sennheiser HD600 family headphones.  I'm not sure how long.  They don't specify so perhaps it can be made to order.
which may not sound as good as the Oppo's excellent internal dac,

Tim, It happens that Oppo HA-2SE has better DAC.  Oppo 105 uses ES9018 while HA-2SE uses ES9028, not to mention that HA-2SE incorporates discrete output stage (matched transistors) while Oppo 105 has chip.
I've never had occasion to test 105, but suspect that HA-2SE sounds better, since it was reported that HA-2SE sounds better than HA-2 (mine), that has the same DAC ( ES9018) as Oppo 105.
I'm currently leaning towards the JDS Labs Standalone ODAC RevB with rca outputs($150) but haven't ruled out the HA-2SE. The ODAC has the advantages of using Sabre dac chips and being an 'in-line' type of DAC that I could stash out of sight under my end table.

Both use Sabre DAC chips.