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.

 

[Gray]

Actually, do I just want a WiiM Amp Ultra?

Not if you don't want speakers you don't.
The standard Ultra would appear to be the one for you - with it's front panel 3.5mm headphone socket - and outputs to drive DAC / Amps or just headphone amps - if you didn't rate the Ultra's own headphone output.

 

[RTHerringbone]

Not if you don't want speakers you don't.
The standard Ultra would appear to be the one for you - with it's front panel 3.5mm headphone socket - and outputs to drive DAC / Amps or just headphone amps - if you didn't rate the Ultra's own headphone output.

Yes, I think you're right. A single unit and it ticks a lot of boxes. My only reservation might be the reported darkness of the headphone amp - but then it has EQ and you usually have to compromise somewhere.

Also easy enough to pair with an external DAC if and when the inevitable upgrade itch flares up. Hmm.....

It was also only £279 when Amazon did their Prime Day thing last week. I'd wager it'll likely go back down to that sort of price before Christmas.

 

[jjbomber]

Is a DAP an option?

 

[RTHerringbone]

Is a DAP an option?

I guess, but aren't they typically designed to be more portable solutions? Wouldn't that mean that there have to be some compromises to squeeze things into a really small unit?

 

[RTHerringbone]

I think it'll be the WiiM Ultra. They usually have a 20% off sale in holiday periods, so I'll hold off until Christmas. I've got the perfect spot for it at my desk and might now look at a modestly priced pair of dynamic driver headphones to have up here permanently as I don't want to traipse up and downstairs to get the FT7s all the time.

I think a pair around the £200 mark should keep the overall headphone setup package a shade under £500. Currently considering some Sennheiser HD600s.

I was really tempted aesthetically by the FiiO K15 since my little Naim NAIT 50 has got me to really appreciate the tactile nature of the control panel. But for whatever reason, FiiO have restricted streaming on the K15 to AirPlay and Roon, neither of which I use or want to use. It's odd as their pricier options (R7 and R9) are set up for things like TIDAL Connect etc., just not the K15

 

[RTHerringbone]

Speaking theoretically......if I were to forego my single box plan and get (as an example...) a SMSL RAW-MDA 1 or Topping DX5 II and a WiiM Mini, I'm not missing out, am I?

I want to try as much as I can to avoid redundancy in whatever I ultimately buy / upgrade to. It seems odd to get an Ultra if I potentially end up upgrading the amp and / or DAC. If I buy an Ultra, I have some concerns that I can't disprove until I get it, that the headphone amp might be a bit under powered for planars.

So a focus more on the amp / DAC side feels fairly wise. If I use that for the amplification and DAC, and the Mini just for the streaming, then it's a technically better package than a one-box Ultra, isn't it? And it's a tad cheaper.

 

[jjbomber]

I want to try as much as I can to avoid redundancy in whatever I ultimately buy / upgrade to.

LP10 AirPlay 2 and Google Cast Music Streamer

Arylic® LP10 music streamer with AirPlay 2 & Google Cast support. Enjoy Hi-Res audio, easy setup, and compatibility with Spotify, Tidal, and more. Transform your stereo into a smart sound system. Shop today!

www.arylic.com

 

[Jasonovich]

I think it'll be the WiiM Ultra. They usually have a 20% off sale in holiday periods, so I'll hold off until Christmas. I've got the perfect spot for it at my desk and might now look at a modestly priced pair of dynamic driver headphones to have up here permanently as I don't want to traipse up and downstairs to get the FT7s all the time.

I think a pair around the £200 mark should keep the overall headphone setup package a shade under £500. Currently considering some Sennheiser HD600s.

I was really tempted aesthetically by the FiiO K15 since my little Naim NAIT 50 has got me to really appreciate the tactile nature of the control panel. But for whatever reason, FiiO have restricted streaming on the K15 to AirPlay and Roon, neither of which I use or want to use. It's odd as their pricier options (R7 and R9) are set up for things like TIDAL Connect etc., just not the K15

I really like the look of FiiO K17, I haven't checked the full specs but I suspect like the K15, it has the same streaming restriction?

Nice though, both Peter Tyson and Amazon provide payment by instalments.

 

[RTHerringbone]

I've looked at those @Jasonovich and *love* the look of them, but neither offer any Connect links to TIDAL or Spotify. It's Roon or Airplay only and that ruled them out for me.

It's odd because some of FiiOs subsequent DAC/amp combos do offer Connect integration, so it's a shame these two beauties missed out as they're stunning.

 

[jjbomber]

LP10 AirPlay 2 and Google Cast Music Streamer

Arylic® LP10 music streamer with AirPlay 2 & Google Cast support. Enjoy Hi-Res audio, easy setup, and compatibility with Spotify, Tidal, and more. Transform your stereo into a smart sound system. Shop today!

www.arylic.com

Forgot to add that the headphone plugs into the line-out on the rear.

 

[RTHerringbone]

Forgot to add that the headphone plugs into the line-out on the rear.

That's a "strange" design choice! I'd not heard of this brand but a quick Google suggests that for a few extra quid, the upsides of the WiiM app make it a better choice.

 

[Al ears]

That's a "strange" design choice! I'd not heard of this brand but a quick Google suggests that for a few extra quid, the upsides of the WiiM app make it a better choice.

It's to confuse people into thinking it's a cheap Auralic.....
😎

 

[Jasonovich]

I really like the look of FiiO K17, I haven't checked the full specs but I suspect like the K15, it has the same streaming restriction?

Nice though, both Peter Tyson and Amazon provide payment by instalments.

View attachment 10117
View attachment 10118

This will do the job!!

https://www.av.com/Hi-Fi/Quad-Vena-II-Play-Wireless-Streaming-Integrated-Amplifier-Grey/4GY4?msclkid=eb466484cdca1d207b830c74334e3b62&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=AV.com%20-%20DSA%20Search%20-%20All%20Products%20-%20All%20Categories%20-%20All%20Groups&utm_term=in%20stock&utm_content=In%20Stock

Cheaper from Amazon 🙂 £629.00

 

[RTHerringbone]

One thing I love / hate about this hobby, is that there's a seemingly never-ending amount of things to learn 🙂

For the past few hours I've been reading about digital network streamers, and I *think* that's leading me towards a preferred setup. I *think* I want one, because I want to avoid redundancy in this system. There was a high likelihood that I'd get the WiiM Ultra but then add an external headphone amp; rendering a small part of the WiiM obsolete.

So I am currently heading down a two-box option; a DAC / amp combo and then almost certainly the iFi Audio Zen Stream. It's a bit of an extravagance but it removes redundancy from the setup, is theoretically a great feed for the DAC, it looks cool and that matters a bit - I kind of didn't want a lightweight WiiM Mini to do the streaming legwork. They're incredibly light and plasticky and that bothers me 😬

The Zen Stream has excellent reviews and allows you to use TIDAL and Spotify's Connect apps, so there's no extra app / software required, beyond initial setup. I now need to settle on the DAC / amp part. I have a couple of ideas but neither of them are in stock 🤦‍♂️

 

[RTHerringbone]

Screw it. I've ordered things and it's not exactly as planned, but I'm happy and have, of course, contradicted several of my earlier thought processes 😆 Loads of reasons behind the decision, with availability, practicality, aesthetics, impatience and reality all playing a part.

Tomorrow I have a silver WiiM Ultra coming my way, and its DAC and headphone amp will almost immediately become redundant, as I have a matching silver FiiO K13 R2R DAC / headphone amp coming next week.

It was planned to be an iFi Stream and a Topping DSX II, but the availability of the latter is unclear, and I don't do patience. The pivot to the FiiO was easy, based both on my happiness with their FT7 headphones and various reviews about the K13. It offers easy PEQ via an app or a browser, and has a catalogue of presets for various headphones. Good updates via Wi-Fi (the DSX II has a bit of a rough recent history with firmware, and it can only be installed via a physical connection to a PC or Mac - which I don't have!)

I then realised that the odd-shaped (you can't stack anything on top of it) iFi Stream just isn't a practical partner for the FiiO, which has a rather distinctive porthole on top so you can admire the inner workings, all lit up gaudily by LEDs. Now I'm probably never going to look at that but why would I cover that splendour up? Instead, it will sit atop the Ultra as they have conveniently similar footprints and it can light up the room as it desires (this can obviously be turned off!)

So I forego some graph-hugging, box-ticking "transparency" in the amp / DAC combo, and a level of theoretical "betterness" in the way the iFi Stream passes data to a DAC. But I end up with a neat stack of boxes from familiar brands where the app experience is known to be good, and the duo will offer me very decent headphone listening in my office, with the added bonus of the Ultra's screen (which, like the Node ICON downstairs, I'll rarely look at 😁).

 

[Jasonovich]

Screw it. I've ordered things and it's not exactly as planned, but I'm happy and have, of course, contradicted several of my earlier thought processes 😆 Loads of reasons behind the decision, with availability, practicality, aesthetics, impatience and reality all playing a part.

Tomorrow I have a silver WiiM Ultra coming my way, and its DAC and headphone amp will almost immediately become redundant, as I have a matching silver FiiO K13 R2R DAC / headphone amp coming next week.

It was planned to be an iFi Stream and a Topping DSX II, but the availability of the latter is unclear, and I don't do patience. The pivot to the FiiO was easy, based both on my happiness with their FT7 headphones and various reviews about the K13. It offers easy PEQ via an app or a browser, and has a catalogue of presets for various headphones. Good updates via Wi-Fi (the DSX II has a bit of a rough recent history with firmware, and it can only be installed via a physical connection to a PC or Mac - which I don't have!)

I then realised that the odd-shaped (you can't stack anything on top of it) iFi Stream just isn't a practical partner for the FiiO, which has a rather distinctive porthole on top so you can admire the inner workings, all lit up gaudily by LEDs. Now I'm probably never going to look at that but why would I cover that splendour up? Instead, it will sit atop the Ultra as they have conveniently similar footprints and it can light up the room as it desires (this can obviously be turned off!)

So I forego some graph-hugging, box-ticking "transparency" in the amp / DAC combo, and a level of theoretical "betterness" in the way the iFi Stream passes data to a DAC. But I end up with a neat stack of boxes from familiar brands where the app experience is known to be good, and the duo will offer me very decent headphone listening in my office, with the added bonus of the Ultra's screen (which, like the Node ICON downstairs, I'll rarely look at 😁).

The FiiOs K11 R2R is an excellent sounding DAC, I can only imagine it's bigger brother is on another stratosphere! 😊
There's really no logic to HiFi, congratulations on your new purchase Enjoy!!