Dedicated headphone amp vs Headphone socket on amp

@ghdprentice + 1

A really good headphone amp that can drive most any phone is the Rupert Neve RNHP and it's a good value.  I regret selling mine.   Around $500

All really good insights and input provided to the topic at hand. It really does beg the question if the desire is sufficient enough to go down a second rabbit hole with a bespoke headphone system. Just like my reference audio setup, which took the better part of 3 years to complete. The trial and error, the mix and match, the contemplation & temptation of possibly better options and the wheeling and dealing in the audiophile marketplace would begin again. Not sure if the return on investment is worth it given the price cap imposed on such a project. Although I have no doubt the results might be impressive without the restrictions on cost. For now, the Rega Aethos headphone socket will suffice. With an eye on maybe some better headphones down the line.

You can purchase some very nice sounding dedicated headphone amplifiers for very little money, relatively speaking.  You can compare one to your current setup to see if it’s better than the one you’re using now.  Schiit audio offers a 15 day trial period so that you can return the component you purchase and get your money refunded; minus a 15% or 5% restocking fee, depending on the price of the audio component you purchase from them. 

For a little over $100 you can purchase a Schiit Magni headphone amplifier to try in your system for 15 days.  👍

The lower the output impedance the better, as a rule of thumb. Your Aethos has 109 Ohms. For comparison, the Drop + THX AAA amp for $200.00 has .1 Ohm!  And vanishingly low noise, distortion, etc. 

My new Quad 33 headphone output impedance is 2.35 Ohms.  It drives my Sennheiser HD660S as well as the dedicated headphone amp and LPS I had before getting it, which I have now sold off as superfluous.