Best compact headphone listening solution?

[RTHerringbone]

I'm back in the mood for spending money on gadgets.

I'd like to improve my Work From Home office space music consumption. I currently stream TIDAL through a SONOS Era 100 smart speaker. It's *fine*, but it isn't sexy and it isn't true stereo. I feel myself leaning towards a compact desktop headphone oriented setup. The room is a tiny box room so a full speaker setup is completely out of the question.

I really don't know enough about what my options are. A quick Google makes my head turn and look at sexy one-box screened exotica like the FiiO R7 and R9. I quite like the idea of having the choice of going nerdy and tinkering with EQ as well. What options are open to me? I feel like I prefer the aesthetics of a streamlined, single box, but if the upgrade-ability of separates truly makes sense, I'm prepared to be convinced to go down that path.

Budget can be flexible. Initially I'll be using this to listen to my shiny new FiiO FT7 headphones, but it's also a cunning plan to open the door to another set of headphones in future.....

 

[Shrek]

I realy like this

Desktop High-Res Audio Streamer S15

Guangzhou FiiO Electronics Technology Co., Ltd.

www.fiio.com

 

[RTHerringbone]

I realy like this

Desktop High-Res Audio Streamer S15

Guangzhou FiiO Electronics Technology Co., Ltd.

www.fiio.com

Looks like it has some pretty rough reviews. Iffy software and screen by the sounds of it.

 

[Shrek]

Looks like it has some pretty rough reviews. Iffy software and screen by the sounds of it.

shame looks nice !

 

[RTHerringbone]

I'm struggling to understand what I actually need. Is it:

1. Amp
2. DAC
3. Streamer

???

There won't be a PC in this setup, so I *think* I need some thing(s) that ultimately contain all of the above. I do like the idea of having access to EQ via an app or suchlike, and really it's all about usability - I don't want to be fumbling about with multiple wires, buttons and switches. I want and expect ports up front to plug the headphones into.

 

[RTHerringbone]

Actually, do I just want a WiiM Amp Ultra?

EDIT: I do not. Doesn't seem to have a headphone socket 🤦‍♂️

EDIT2: Maybe I do. It has a USB slot (on the rear panel (!)) which I supposed I could use if I get an adapter. Hmm. Options.

 

[daytona600]

Desktop System
PC to DAC like your Bluesound Node ICON & Small pair of active near field speakers Simples
.Use a set of Hedd type 05 myself

 

[RTHerringbone]

Nope. This will be a no speaker, no PC system, so that's a hefty swing and a miss I'm afraid.