Thx obobskivitch. I'll try your ideas too!

Points taken. I might go low end now with amp/dac, then look for a Maple Tree to try out in my area (San Jose, CA).   Thanks!   -Kurt

Also tomb, I see in some sites, like this one:   http://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/headphone-amp-impedance.html   a recommendation that output ohms should be as a rule ", it’s only necessary to keep the output impedance less than 1/8th the headphone impedance", which for the 32 ohm ps-500e...

Thanks tomb. I didn't know enough to even consider a tube amp. Zoinks, but the Maple Trees are expensive! Will something more mainstream do, such as the well rated (on Amazon) Bravo Audio V2 Class A ($76 on Amazon), or perhaps another slighlly more expensive model that has DAC also to bypass...

Obobskivich, Thx for your reply again. I'm afraid I don't know much about bit rates and such, but this is for sure:   1) I put retailed-mastered CDs in PC, then import it in to iTunes, using default settings. 2) I add it to my a playlist. 3) Transfer to my iPhone.   The correct approach in...

KB and Obobskivich-   Thanks for the tips.   I guess my first question should be: Can I expect better sound from a CD player, with either an internal or external DAC/Amp, than I can get from simply burning a CD to iTunes and loading it on my iPhone. The ps500e already sounds pretty good with...

Hi, I recently purchased a Grado PS500e, with the intention of afterwards buying a CD player/DAC/Amplifier to do these headphones justice. I'd appreciate your recommendations as to components/models to buy.   Note:      >>> For now I'm just interested in home use and, at least until I get a...