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?

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Showing 2 responses by soix

First and foremost, best wishes with the surgery and for a speedy recovery.  Especially if this is a temporary stopgap during your recovery I’d consider an Audioquest Dragonfly Red and just use that plugged into your phone or tablet.  I drove my Hifiman HE400SE ‘phones with them quite successfully and your Sundaras seem even a little easier to drive.  Plus, if you ever want to take your music on the go in the future the Dragonfly makes a great portable travel companion.  Just a thought, and best of luck with everything!

Well, I’m an Apple user and they offer an adapter that allows you to charge and stream simultaneously, so there’s probably something similar for your Samsung.  Here’s the Apple version just fyi…

https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Lightning-USB3-Camera-Adapter/dp/B01F7KJDIM/ref=asc_df_B01F7KJDIM/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312106635483&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15247381118859874114&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004289&hvtargid=pla-403917398107&psc=1

But, I found this adapter to sound much better than Apple’s if they have one that’ll work with your tablet (shoot them an email as they’re pretty responsive), but it won’t charge as you listen…

https://www.lavricables.com/cables/reference-silver-lightning-interconnect-cable-for-oppo-ha-2-centrance-mini-m8/

Hope this helps.