Headphone Amp vs Audio Interface

[mouchoir]

Headphones: HIFIMAN HE-400i.
I have a FiiO E10K and an Apogee Duet (1st edition).
I also have 200 bucks to burn.
Is it worth buying a standalone amp/dac to upgrade to from those two, or will I not really see any difference?
Thanks in advance!

 

[PurpleAngel]

Could you sell off the E10K and Apogee Duet and put all the cash towards a new DAC/amp?
Maybe enough to get a used Modi/Magni or a used Audio-GD?

 

[mouchoir]

I need the Apogee, as I do record. I could sell the E10K. I could add in a little extra money as well, if necessary. Is the Schiitstack a good match for the HiFiMans?

 

[PurpleAngel]

  I need the Apogee, as I do record. I could sell the E10K. I could add in a little extra money as well, if necessary. Is the Schiit stack a good match for the HiFiMans?

 
Not so much a match, but I'm guessing the Modi/Magni is a little better at bring out the best of any headphone, over the E10K.
Nothing against the E10K, but the Modi DAC chip has a higher SNR and the Magni is a more powerful amplifier.
 
You might be able to find a used ODAC/O2 with in your current $200 budget.
 
On Ebay you could get a used Modi DAC or used ODAC DAC.
used O2 (Objective 2) amp or used Magni amp
And stay with in your $200 budget.
 
Used Modi (optical) DAC, $53
http://www.ebay.com/itm/351627538780?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Assuming you have a source (Mac) with an optical output port.
 
Used O2 amp, $76
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331774475127?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
So for $129, you might have at least a small improvement in audio quality, maybe even more then a little.
 
Once you have the Modi/O2, you can sell off the E10K.