I actually own a Magni, though I've never actually used it (don't ask). Have you had the opportunity to compare its imaging/soundstage to this produced by other amps? I'd be pleased to have my answer already in hand, as it were!

Howdy. Looking for a <US$300 desktop amp (or amp/DAC, but the DAC is not necessary) for my Hifiman He-400s. Main desiderata, bedsides, you know, not sucking overall, are imaging and soundstage: a sense of space—breadth and depth.    Indifferent as to tubes/hybrid/SS.    Thanks in advance for...

Thank you, Kingwa, for this very thorough answer to my question. 

Hence the appearance of the HE-400 in the "Cyber Monday" environment.   Just ordered a Vali; going to enjoy my new "old" HE-400's with that for a while before I start getting upgradeitis. 

Thinking about using one between my source and a dedicated amp, like a Little Dot.   Apologies if this is a FAQ.

So, Vali + Modi withe the 400s? Yes? No? Depends?

  Thanks. If it's any help, this would be running off of the optical out of an Apple TV v3. I could also just use the DAC chip in the ATV3, but I'm not sure of the quality.   I'm currently using an Audio-Gd NFB 12 DAC/amp combo. 

  Looking at a Little Dot for my HE-400s. Good match? If yes, what DAC would pair well with the LD, in the same-ish price range?

Howdy. About to start traveling again, and need to get new portable headphones and possibly an amp. I think I've decided on the Sennheiser HD25-1 II 'phones (though I'm interested in other recommendations for on- or over-ears—not buds or IEMS— in that general price range or below), but am...

Howdy. About to start traveling again, and need to get new portable headphones and possibly an amp. I think I've decided on the Sennheiser HD25-1 II 'phones (though I'm interested in other recommendations for on- or over-ears—not buds or IEMS— in that general price range or below), but am...

Subject line pretty much encapsulates it. Looking for a pair of headphones for working out (running, weightlifting) for less than $100. Will consider on-ear and ear-bud types; IEMs provide too much isolation when running in the city. All advice appreciated.

Subject line pretty much encapsulates it. Looking for a pair of headphones for working out (running, weightlifting) for less than $100. Will consider on-ear and ear-bud types; IEMs provide too much isolation when running in the city. All advice appreciated.

David, I'm in something of the same boat as the OP, looking to upgrade and generally casting about in the $400ish space (although that's not necessarily a hard cap). I had the chance to spend a few hours at home with a pair of HE-400s. I thought they were quite detailed, imaged beautifully...

Accent on the "semi," right? Are there options other than the FiiOs that are truly portable? And, none of the FiiOs actually bypasses the iDevice DAC? Sorry to be slow this morning.

How does that work? There are only two ways that signal gets out of an iDevice, right? The headphone jack and the docking port. How does the iDo bypass the on board DAC? Not arguing, just curious.