The sweetspot in Headroom's line, imo, unless you have some serious bucks is the balanced desktop amp/dac. I didn't even hear the maxed version, but I found it superior to the maxed home single-ended. I stopped comparing after a few minutes. It was the first time I enjoyed, rather than appreciated, the K701s, so I sat back, hogged the gear (it was at a meet), and just enjoyed.
I haven't heard the new microstack, but I had the 2006 microamp and it's the only thing I've sold that I've regretted. I've not heard a negative word about the microdac at its price point, and that's saying something around here.
If you want to get your feet wet in this hobby, while you gain experience, maybe going to some meets to learn the differences in gear and what pleases you (my tastes have evolved over time), the microstack is a really nice entry. If you're the type that just wants to get one thing that you know will make you happy for years (of course adding a headphone or two along the way
), I'd check into the balanced desktop, though I gotta agree that a single-ended maxed desktop wouldn't be too shabby at all.
Welcome to head-fi and happy listening.