Integrated amp w/decent headphone out under $5k

@soix Thanks for the input.  The MZ2 was under consideration but concerned if 1w is sufficient, although I’m in a small room ad typically listen at 85db or less.  I will check with Omega as they are the ones who made me aware of LTA.  Regarding the MZ3, price is close enough that I figured I would just go right to the Z10 to give some flexibility in case my speakers change as they sometimes do…

@jperry Will take a look at Luxman. Wasn’t familiar with this model but recently heard about their SQ-N150 which at 10w could also work.  Have to say their website is terrible - very hard to figure out their lineup and of course no mention of prices! Appears they do have a dealer near me though. 

I cannot make a recommendation. But I can point out that most headphone output on most integrated amps are very inferior in comparison to the unit… even very expensive integrated amps. So, great question. Be very very careful.

It is easy to assume the quality of the headphone output is on par with the rest of the system, but a good quality output requires all the effort and expense of creating a great integrated amp, not just adding a jack. I found it much better to purchase a headphone amp made for the purpose. Assembling a great headphone system took me a couple decades. The very best headphone amps (in my opinion) are made by Woo. My primary is a Woo WA5, but the Woo WA6 and WA6SE are great places to start.

@ghdprentice Exactly! I tried out a PS Audio BHK preamp thinking I could get both; impressed by the preamp, headphone out was thin and fatiguing - even though the reviews said it was good… LTA appears so far to be an exception from what I can see.  Trying to simplify my system, but as a wise man once said “everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler”!
 

I will check Woo however, just in case. 

I have a Rotel Diamond Series RA6000 available. It has a mini-jack output for headphones.

For headphone listening I'd go with an amp designed as a headphone amp. Frankly, for many integrated speaker amps the headphone circuit is an afterthought. 

I'm quite fond of the Schiit headphone amps. While my Sundara phones aren't as fancy as yours, I'm listening to them while I type this response, using the just recently released Schiit Midgard headphone amp with their new "Halo" circuit that incudes the headphone drivers in the amp's feedback circuit. Have to say I'm impressed. And the price is a near giveaway. Schiit has a number of fancier models.

And Hifiman has a number of their own dedicated headphone amps for you to consider.