I'm interested in this as well...I have read reviews about the ones you mentioned iBasso and Fiio, and while I am sure they're excellent devices, my budget ranges up to $400.  I am looking for a portable combination unit I can also use with my desktop setup.

Quote: Thanks for this, because if I don't have to...I won't, I initially did a lot of research into my sound card, but wasn't 100% sure of its capabilities.

I'm not opposed to spending the money, immersing myself into music is my splurge and get away.  Everything I read supported getting an amp.

Thanks!  I'll probably look into that amp, I'm just starting out so not trying to spend a fortune yet...

I appreciate all of the replies, one thing I forgot to mention is I play from my PC using the Asus Xonar Essence STX card.  I think I found a decent amp I'll probably get to go along with the headphones - JDS Labs Objective2.

First, I apologize for being extremely new to the audiophile world.  I own a pair of Audiotechnica ATH-A900 and looking to get a nice open back set.  After reading many reviews and what I'm looking at in price, the HE-400 seems like the ideal candidate.  Having said that, will I need an external...