Hey progRules, great response. Thank-you for taking time out to provide very usable and informative information.. On a slightly different note but maybe related,what do you know about the Oppo HA-2SE portable headphone amplifier and DAC?. And why would anyone need one? I use my ipods on a regular basis. I've read about this but wonder how much of a difference it would make. I wonder if it would be applicable to this situation as well. Thanks.
Thanks for the kind words. As I said above, I'm usually in lurker mode and one of the least helpful on this excellent site- but I've been grounded w/ a nasty cold/flu and so I've popped my head up.
I know nothing specific about that particular product. I'm far from an expert on Oppo (mine is an ancient DV981 I got used); most of the knowledge I have comes from reading posts of people here (and on SHF) whose knowledge greatly exceeds mine. I also have no experience w/ hi-end headphones, phone amps or outboard DAC's. I've picked up some info from reading- just enough to be dangerous. I will tell you I'm a music lover (esp. a surround music lover) and most definitely not an audiophile. I have a meager system, a terribly compromised listening room and old. abused ears. And I enjoy the hell outta my music.
I am a skeptic re: most things hi-end. There are certainly gains to be made, but in my book, the laws of diminishing returns kicks in fairly quick. This is undoubtedly related to my limited finances.
For
me and my system, outboard DAC's are above the line of diminishing returns. I'm perfectly happy w/ the DAC's in my AVR. If you're talking about one for 'phones, I'd suggest using that money to get a better portable player that will have good DAC's. Unless you wanted to use it for multiple apps (Ipod, laptop, ipad, etc.).
But these are merely my personal preferences and opinions (I suggest you seek out others; the more the better). It's generally better to get info from people who've actually used the type of product you're considering- as long as you keep possible bias in mind. My phones are lo-end Sennheiser HD 328s. I also have a pair of Senn PX 100s portables I use w/ my ancient 60gb Ipod. I find both my AVR and the pod drives them both very well. And I am happy with the sound of them both. Hell, I can even be happy if I have to use the buds that came with them, which I keep in my car in case I forget the PXs. Far from ideal, but I deal.
Where you might want to draw the line for any of these things will be different than me. We all decide where the "value zone" is. Getting as much info as possible helps make your choices more effective. But they remain your choices.
Just remember that one choice is how you approach this hobby. Upgrading can be a fun, entertaining, learning process. It can also get in the way of the music. There is a rabbit hole there of which to be aware. (!!!What a poet- and don;t I know it) My advice: if you're enjoying what you're hearing now, forget about whether it can be better- it def can, but why? If you feel something is missing in your enjoyment, identify what that is and seek out info and help to solve what's missing. IOW, upgrade for a specific need, not seeking some elusive "better sound." That way lies madness.
I feel that too much focus on SQ actually detracts from my enjoyment of the music- and to me, that's what it's all about. Others feel differently: audiophiles feel the pursuit of the most accurate sound is the end in itself. That would be the purest definition, but of course there are degrees. In the end, it's just an enjoyable hobby and we all have different ways of enjoying it.
I say, get your sound to an acceptable level and then spend your money on software, not hardware. But some have plenty to do both.
Just my opinions obviously. Everything's subjective, and audio is one of the greatest examples of that. So- whatever you choose will be exactly right- for you. Just have fun doing it. Even if you mess up, that's when you learn the most.
I don't think this is related to the OP. I'd suggest in the future if you have a question, start your own thread; it might get you more responses.
Have a good one and Go Eagles!