I shut off the power amp in my main system and switch on a Schiit Vali 3 with a Loki EQ (my Freya preamp has 3 outputs). Great sounding combo that just sings. Around 300 bucks for this rig including the little Schiit cables between the Vali and the Loki. The Vali 3 has lots of voltage and drives my phones with the Grado extension cable with ease. Grado SR325X phones.
Dedicated headphone amp vs Headphone socket on amp
As I am fairly new to the whole headphones world. What is the general consensus in regards to superior sq for headphones, running from an external dac (aavik d-180) to a dedicated headphone amp (no dac) or the headphone socket on a fairly decent int amp (Rega Aethos). I have tried the headphones (sony mdr-f1) from the dac to a small ifi zen can in comparison to directly into the headphone socket of the Aethos and it is a total mismatch. With the latter beating the pulp out of the former. Now, what would happen in a similar matchup with a more expensive headphone amp with a price capped at $400-$500?...In general, is it even worth considering a headphone amp at this price level with the already proficient quality of the headphone socket in the Rega Aethos keenly in mind? .