Yes, another audiophile at a crossroads story and request for advice

@williewonka Thanks so much for the advice Steve. I can see by the links you provided and the link to your system page that you know of what you speak. 

Thank you both for your insights and suggestions. My understanding is that one of the major headphone shortcomings is their lack of a “realistic” soundstage.  That and comfort issues in long listening sessions. The organically accurate sound i described is far more important to me than sound stage. That’s my personal preference. I get frustrated with my system whenever i recognize that I’m not hearing those details. It’s never bothered me and I’ve never had the urge to turn my system off when i couldn’t place the drummer, guitar, piano, or bass location on stage. Long term listening session head and ear fatigue could become an issue. 
That said, one reason I’m even considering headphones is nobody else in my family (wife, son, daughter, their spouses, or any of my 5 grandchildren are interested in hi-fi so its really just me. 
@inna with my upcoming retirement, im considering getting out of tubes (at least on the power side). Do you have any experience wth the relatively new Primaluna EVO 300 Hybrid Integrated amp?  Thats a non-headphone option im considering. The other option i find intersting, is even more of a departure from my current system, and that is to go full solid state with something like the Hi-Fi Rose RS 520 streaming integrated. 
I need to research if there is a way to listen to these options without having to buy them all then resell what doesn't provide what I'm striving for.  Here is where the insights and opinions of the Audiogon members is so valuable. 
@yyzsantabarbara I’ve read great reviews on the RAAL ear speakers. How do you find them for extended listening sessions from a comfort perspective?  My current Primaluna integrated has a highly rated headphone amp. 

@zlone Thank you for those recommended checks:

- The only other DACs i’ve had in my system were an Oppo Sonica DAC (many years ago) and more recently the onboard DAC in the Lumin D2 (which eventually led to my search for a better/separate DAC leading me to the well reviewed and “adjustable” RME i have currently. 
- The Primaluna CD player sounds good using its internal DAC but better to my 67 year old/cant hear above ~ 10KHz ears using the RME. 
- internet is 100% hardwired from street through entire system. No optical isolation though. 
- SPDIF cable is not high or mid end based on recommendation of the customer technical support person i purchased from. He said it was a waste of money to spend more  there. 
@ghdprentice i was surprised about the real-life-apparent efficiency of the Perspectives. I never had to move the 70 wpch Primaluna volume knob above 9;00 to meet my volume needs (not loud, but really at a comfortable listening level) leaving tons of amp headroom.

@paradisecom thank you, but i have been experimenting for several years and feel like its growing time to fish or cut bait.  
The suggestions in this thread have convinced me that going to a dedicated headphone listening system is not the.path to suit me.  
what specific tubes do you you recommend that would provide the organic accuracy I’m desparately searching for?

@wolf_garcia I’ve read good reviews and your positive comments regarding use of the Loki to sculpt the sound to taste is an interesting idea. My RME DAC has a graphic equalizer feature that I’ve not yet used or explored. I’ve been reticent to try it, but I should check it out before changing out any hardware. 
@zlone I got into jazz about 15 years ago, all my records were bought ~ 10 to 15 years before that so all my jazz physical media is on CD. If my no cost experiment of engaging the equalizer in my DAC doesn’t provide the sound i’m searching for then I’ll try a higher quality SPDIF cable. Do you have one you would recommend for my current system and sound goals?

@williewonka Well Steve, I’m embarrassed to say that I bought my current speaker cables from Morrow several years ago. I think they are the SP5 Speaker Cable Pair - 576 SSI Wires. 

@pindac Thank you for that thoughtful advice.  Frustratingly, I live in a city that has the 2nd highest post graduate degreed percent of population in the US with a huge technology business base. In my 41 years living here, ive only found 1 other audiophile and he owned a hi-end audio store here that only stayed in business for ~10 years and went out of business 20 years ago. Surely they are here somewhere. I wonder if i posted a “Are you an audiophile in Huntsville AL?” here on Audiogon, i might find a few?  I’ll try that. 
Nearest hifi shops are 2 hrs (Nashville0 and 3 hrs (Atlanta) away. I’ve taken many trips to a shop in Nashville and purchased equipment but their selection is limited and they haven’t gotten into digital yet. 

@2psyop I’ve actually started having my hearing test each year now and was told again this year that im still not in the range needing aid. That said, i failed to mention in my OP, that I do “suffer” from continuous high frequency tinnitus which is a pain in the a__ whenever i‘m conscious of it. I’m sure that affects my “music hearing fidelity” in some way. 

i really think i want to simplify my system in preparation for retirement. Eliminate tube power so go with a hybrid or solid state 1 box integrated with a great dac and streamer, that would be perfect!  Next to perfect would be an integrated plus a great Roon compatible one box dac/streamer. Any suggestions would be most welcome. 

@scthom I’ve thought about going the graphene upgrade route, but haven’t pursued it yet for 2 reasons. I’m not sure the my earlier versions are the root cause/weak link from achieving the sound I’m looking for described in my OP. Also, it doesn’t address my sense that id really like to simplify my system and not add tweaks.
 

I hope this makes sense and i truly appreciate everyone’s thoughts/suggestions/advice. Thats the reason i’m willing to ask total strangers for help with something that is personal and a source of joy for me. 

@pindac Thank you for the links. Looks like there are some in the area.  The scent ran cold in 2016, so I’ll start a new one. 

@bander Thanks for the graphene upgrade warning. I needed to hear that so i could cross that option off my list.