Looking for a Quality Desktop Solution

Thanks for all the suggestions. I hadn’t thought about speakers behind me but it would make great sense. I don’t have much room on my smallish desk which already has a laptop and second screen. If I put speakers on my desk, where would I throw my crap?

Right now I am considering something like the setup @arafiq shared, but just getting a small footprint integrated with a headphone output and skipping speakers for now.  I do have some good phones (Aeon Open and Focal Clear) that would be great to use at my desk.  Although I am going to try out the speakers behind me idea to see how that works for the future.

I highly recommend this headphone amp that’ll beat the snot out of any headphone amp in an integrated — your headphones will thank you for it. I have this driving my Hifiman Arya Stealth ‘phones and it makes them sing.  And you can just add a small-footprint amp later and use this as a preamp to drive desktop speakers if you ever decide to go that route. It’s fully balanced BTW. Just one idea.

https://www.amazon.com/Singxer-Balanced-Discrete-Single-Ended-Amplifier/dp/B08QMDM631/ref=asc_df_B08QMDM631/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=475811984565&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=777827280454388326&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003636&hvtargid=pla-1207731386054&psc=1

@soix You’ve given me really good advice before. So If I were to go with the the Singxer I would need a DAC to make the chain work. Suggestions? My baseline comparison is a Qutest with an LPS. Thank you and Merry, merry.

Well, I can only tell you I bought the Musician Pegasus and am really happy. Some R2R DACs are reputed to have rolled-off highs. Not this one. Plus, the expansion of soundstage is palpable. Have to say though, after reading Soundnews.net review of their Draco that’d be worth considering. But, I find I need every bit of the Pegasus’ output in my preferred setting to get the most out of my Aryas, so I’m still glad I went that way. If I were you, Denafrips Pontus ll, Soekris, and Gustard would be other DACs I’d consider, depending on what sound characteristics you’re looking for. I’ll just say that coming from delta-sigma DACs I’m absolutley thrilled with the Pegasus, but to get the most out of it you’ll wanna use the XLR connections.  I bought short XLR interconnects from LavriCables and think they offer huge bang for the buck. Hope this helps, and best of luck.