I'm sorry, but all "ear speakers" absolutely do not sound fine if they are used with "top shelf" components feeding them. If that were the case, then the same would be true for typical home speakers and that's clearly not accurate at all. As for the OP, you do not need a headphone preamp at all. You can use some preamps as headphone amps if they have a jack, but you don't need a preamp for a headphone amp, if that's what your asking.
Need new headphone setup.
I have a speaker oriented system that is very satisfying to me. But because of a need to maintain domestic tranquility I’m looking to go to a less noisy alternative: i..e. headphones.
I want to spend a total of about $1000. So, nothing too fancy. Not the equivalent of my much more expensive speaker system.
What do I need to assemble a headphone system independent of my regular system which is accessible from my listening chair and side table?
I plan on solely streaming. My present system contains a WiFi streamer.
Can that be incorporated, or do I need a new streamer?
I understand that I need a headphone preamp along with the cans.
I know my budget is not too high, but can I get something relatively decent at it?
Currently, I listen though cheap ear buds and stream through an iPad.