[Emil]

Good day

Simply, i want to use my iphone to play Tidal thru headphones (not earbuds).
Prefer wired connection as I assume it would be superior to bluetooth.
What do I need to make this happen?
Budget of say $700. Recommendations appreciated

thanks in advance

[toocool4]

Go out and listen to wired headphones and desktop headphone amps, that is all you need. Try as many combinations as you can within your budget, let your ears be the judge as to which one you get.

[SlushPuppy]

I purchased an iFi Hip-dac 3 last week and I'm incredibly impressed by the sound quality and portability. Overall smooth and punchy without the brightness I hear in cheaper dongle-type Dacs. The unit supports full-sized headphones and smaller pin IEM's. There's also extra cords for different phone and USB types. I bought the slightly upgraded Black Stealth version (slightly better output capacitors) on Amazon for $168. If you don't like it, just send it back. My budget was close to yours, but once I heard this I stopped looking.

Link

[FullRangeMan]

SMSL H300 amp 10W/16Ω, Manual Volume Control, $295 new
https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/s-m-s-l-h300-headphone-amplifier?_pos=6&_sid=8dfb51cae&_ss=r

SMSL H400 amp 15W/16Ω, Electronic Volume Control, remote control, $510 new
https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/s-m-s-l-h400-headphone-amplifier-preamplifier

HifiMan Ananda Nano only $319 new, a bargain.
https://store.hifiman.com/index.php/ananda-nano.html

[Emil]

SlushPuppy
Exactly what I'm looking for!

Can this drive these headphones that Fullrangeman suggested?
I'm assuming, just like speakers,  electrostats and planars are harder to drive

HifiMan Ananda Nano only $319 new, a bargain.
https://store.hifiman.com/index.php/ananda-nano.html

Any other recommendations appreciated in the $5-600 range and available thru Amazon.
Anything described as "warm" not interested. Bass tight without bleeding into the midrange