Quasimodosbelfry
500+ Head-Fier
My simple answer is, "yes". Anything in the signal path will colour the sound to a greater or lesser degree. Depending on the amp, this could "dramatically" change how your Z1R presents itself...Actually, does anyone know like for a fact if the bass just isn't as present with using just DAP's? I use my sony's with a nw-zx507. I was thinking about upgrading my DAP but I might have to go in a different dirrection.
So would using a desktop amp make a difference in the bass deepness/how hard it hits?
HOWEVER
It won't change the animal, so to speak. You will still get a similar profile and characteristic that made you buy the headphone anyway. With any half decent amp, you'll likely hear an improvement, even as subtly as more headspace and maybe a bit better separation and presentation. But it won't turn your Z1R into another headphone.
That being said, I'm sure there are absolute POS amps out there that will just kill your love for music. But I reckon if you pick a decent amp (lots of reviews on the forum), you won't be complaining.
Do consider that your mileage may vary, since "bass isn't as present" can be subjective to the listener, the source, the cable, etc.