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Combo Streamer/Headphone Amp

I'm having shoulder replacement surgery in a few weeks so I'll be laid up without use of my right arm for sometime afterwards. Pretty much means spinning vinyl is off the table. And I will be pretty much immobile in a recliner for the first couple weeks/ So, I thought this would be a good time to catch up on my headphone listening. I have some OK Bluetooth (Bluetooth SQ limitations noted) Sennheisers, but I really want to use my HiFiMan Sundaras. What would make it great is if I could find a single box streamer/headphone amp combo using some relatively common app like BluOs. The Blusound Node looks like a candidate, but I'm not sure it has enough of a headphone amp to drive my Sundaras. Thoughts? Alternatives?

128x128panzrwagn

Showing 2 responses by dinosore

dinosore
100 posts
 

I would not recommend a Node just for headphone listening.  The headphone section of the Node N130 is an afterthought.  The headphone section on the Node X is supposed to be much better, but you'd be paying $750 for a unit where headphone listening isn't its primary function.  However, if you're looking for a stand-alone streamer/DAC for your main system anyway, then the Node X might work for you.  But I would not get it just for headphone listening.

As @soix points out, using your phone or tablet as a streamer along with a dongle DAC (like the Dragonfly series) or a headphone DAC/amp might be a better alternative.  Cheaper, better sound, and much more portable.  I'd investigate something like the iFi Gryphon or the iFi Hip-Dac 3.

dinosore
100 posts
 

@panzrwagn If you're worried about draining the power of your tablet, you can also look at DAC/amp combos such as the ifi HipDac or Gryphon.  They have their own internal battery. They are not quite as portable as a dongle DAC, but still pretty small.  

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