@Bjorn Maybe Yes Maybe No. There are issues. I have run out of self space on my rack. Also my streamer NDX2 plus XPSDR as a combo is much better than the streamer in the Atom HE. I would imagine that the streamer in the HE accounts for some of the cost and I will not use.
I don’t need a headphone amp with a Dac. I don’t intend to do mobile. Lastly I want my TT and CDP and steaming to come through the headphones. I am not sure that is possible without going through the SN3.
If I did get a better headphone amp, I would want a traditional headphone amp if there is one that is small. I might be able to then fit it on the same shelf as my HicapDR. Also I only listen about an hour a day on phones.
Then I understand. Yes, at least you have a pair of headphones that can grow with the task if you decide to invest more in the headphone sound in the future.
For analogue only, depending on your budget, I think you are spoiled for choice. I use a SQ-N150 to drive Sennheiser HD-800s and it is like they were made for each other. Although it’s classed as an integrated amp, it’s really a headphone amp with speaker terminals that simply use the same output (10w). No frills. Good phono stage. Single ended non balanced output. But sublime.
Sideways Shoebox footprint. Majority of owners use it solely as a headphone amp. But of course it’s not cheap.
Playing my new HiFiman Arya Stealth (replaced Ananda), and my venerable AKG701 - I haven’t used the latter in months but I am so impressed by them again. Was going to move them on, but I’ve changed my mind.
The Arya Stealth are wonderful too, btw!
Both keepers, with the Audeze of course.
