Incorporating headphones into my pc audio system

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.

Hey kijanki,

     I've been researching and  thinking more about what I'd really like, what you said about  using a portable Oppo  HA-2 headphone amp/dac and that marktomaras had also suggested using a portable amp/dac.  Well, it's taken longer than it should have, but both of your very good advice has finally sunken in and I'm thinking this may be the best method.

     I could set this all up on the rather large end table next to my current listening chair through one of my laptop's USB ports.  I would just need to run a usb cord from the laptop to the amp/dac, install any necessary drivers and plug my headphones into it. ... and wallah, instant semi-wireless headphones that give me access to my entire collection of flac files on my Synology storage device.  This is a little different than I originally envisioned it since my music files would be converted to analog via a different dac, which may not sound as good as the Oppo's excellent internal dac, and it still wouldn't allow listening to movies or tv through the headphones but I think this still may be the best solution thus far. 
      I could still run a quality 25' headphone extension cord to my other chair for the times I'd like to to have cable tv, blurays or even my music files converted to analog via the Oppo's internal dacs and listen through headphones.

        After reading and watching numerous reviews on the portable and desktop amp/dac products currently available at reasonable prices, however,  I think the better choice for myself would be a desktop unit preferably combined in a single case but also acceptable as separate amp and dac. I've discovered 2 desktop headphone amps from Aune (pronounced "ow-knee") I'm considering buying:

One is the Aune X1s a desktop amp and dac combo in a single case. www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlXW20ptu7E  

The other is the Aune X7s  pure class A headphone amp only, so I'd need to add a dac.  www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLpI5Ui7TsY  

Both run about $300 on Amazon and I'm leaning toward the X1s because it's a combo but I'd buy the X7s if it included a dac.

OR

I may just buy a pair of Sony headphones (MDR-1A or MDR-Z7) and use the small and inexpensive Audioquest Dragonfly usb dac.  No headphone amp but unlikely it's needed with either of the efficient Sony headphones.

Tim

 
       

   

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.

Hey Kijanki,

     I have no doubt that the HA-2SE would sound great in my soon to be improved system.   I just read a review on the Oppo PM-3 headphones that paired the HA-2 (not sure if it was regular or SE version) with these headphones for the review.  He mentions that the HA-2 is a very good match with the PM-3 since they make up for some of their cons, subdued deep bass impact and rolled off treble in his opinion,and make them sound much better.

     I'm very close to deciding  to buy the Aune X7s class A amp since I'm fairly certain it'll sound better than the X1s combo dac/amp because it's class A. 
     Now I just need to choose a good usb DAC and headphones to go with it.  I just started another thread here asking for advice on DAC, headphones and amp.  
     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.

      I'm much less convinced about which headphones to choose since I have no means locally of hearing most of the higher end pairs and need to base my opinions on reviews.  If I could afford it, I'd probably buy a set of Stax.  I think I'd really enjoy a pair of Audeze or Monoprice planars but they leak too much sound from their open backs.  My wife is usually watching tv or on her tablet on our couch only a few feet away from my listening chair.  In order to avoid an inevitable firm smack on my head from a frying pan, I've decided to restrict my headphone search to over-ear, wired and closed back models that leak little to no sound.

     I'm looking for an accurate and detailed sound that covers the entire frequency range, good bass and treble extension, a smooth and natural mid-range that provides a solid sound stage illusion and the ability to convey the life-like dynamics present on well engineered direct to digital recordings. Not asking for much, right?
     I've only identified 3 good candidates so far:  Sony MHR-1A  and MHR-Z7 and Oppo PM-3.  I'm thinking the Sony Z7 would likely match my preferences best but I'm still open to closed back suggestions.

Thanks,
  Tim

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.