[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

[SlushPuppy]

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

I'm only using mine for some average sensitivity IEM's, but I asked Grok, and it looks like a great match:

Yes, the iFi hip-dac 3 has enough power to drive the HiFiMan Ananda Nano headphones effectively, especially when using the balanced (4.4mm) output.Here's the breakdown based on the specs and real-world usage reports:HiFiMan Ananda Nano specs:Impedance: 14 Ω (very low)
Sensitivity: 94 dB/mW (or dB/V, but typically measured as relatively efficient for a planar)
This makes it one of the easier-to-drive modern HiFiMan planars (easier than older Ananda models or Susvara/Arya variants). Reviews describe it as having "better than average" sensitivity, requiring less power for good volume levels compared to many other planars.

iFi hip-dac 3 power output (official specs):Balanced (4.4mm): 400 mW @ 32 Ω; up to 6.3 V @ 600 Ω
Unbalanced/S-Balanced (3.5mm): 280 mW @ 32 Ω; 3.2 V @ 600 Ω

For low-impedance headphones like the Ananda Nano (14 Ω), the amp can deliver plenty of current and voltage swing. Planars often benefit more from current delivery than raw wattage at high impedance, and the hip-dac 3 performs well here. Multiple user reviews and tests (including from Headfonics, Head-Fi, and others) explicitly mention pairing the hip-dac 3 with the Ananda Nano successfully:It drives them with good headroom, clean sound, and no issues at normal listening volumes.
One review notes it's sufficient for "headphones that aren’t power hungry" like the Ananda Nano and Grado models.
Another tester used it with the Ananda Nano in listening impressions and found it capable (alongside even more demanding models like the Arya Organic).

The balanced output is recommended for best performance (more power, lower noise/distortion, better channel separation). Use a balanced cable for the Ananda Nano if possible.In short: You should get ample volume, good dynamics, and satisfying performance without needing a more powerful desktop amp for portable/daily use. If you're pushing extremely loud levels or want even more authority, a dedicated desktop amp might edge it out, but for most users, the hip-dac 3 is more than capable.[/i]


Hope that helps!

Cheers!

Slush

[FullRangeMan]

Iam using the SMSL H300 10W, but there is other options to pair with the Ananda as the HifiMan EF499 amp/DAC Combo, only 4Watts $299 new.
https://store.hifiman.com/index.php/ef499.html

HifiMan EF400 Amp/DAC Combo, only 4Watts, $399 new.
https://store.hifiman.com/index.php/ef400.html

What is important in a Headphone Amp is the Balanced XLR4 connection
In any way do not spend your money in Unbalanced Banana plug connection
It delivery poor sound and Small Soundstage in my experience since the 1970s years.

[zybar]

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

Emil,

Keep us posted on what you do…I’m in a somewhat similar situation.

I’ve got the headphone bug after getting a pair of Focal Bathys.

George

[Emil]

Didn't know this place existed. 
I'm about 1 hours out from NYC. Plan on making the trip
Nice to actually audition prior to purchase

https://audio46.com/

[Emil]

Emil,

Keep us posted on what you do…I’m in a somewhat similar situation.

I’ve got the headphone bug after getting a pair of Focal Bathys.

George

Hi George

I hear you!
I was listening to music on my Iphone with Tidal thru a pair of cheap earphones on a recent flight and was amazed at what I was hearing
Take the room out of the equation and the amount of detail you hear is amazing and that's with cheap earphones no less

I just may sell the big rig and go all in and descend down another rabbit hole but we'll see.

[Emil]

I'm only using mine for some average sensitivity IEM's, but I asked Grok, and it looks like a great match:

Yes, the iFi hip-dac 3 has enough power to drive the HiFiMan Ananda Nano headphones effectively, especially when using the balanced (4.4mm) output.Here's the breakdown based on the specs and real-world usage reports:HiFiMan Ananda Nano specs:Impedance: 14 Ω (very low)
Sensitivity: 94 dB/mW (or dB/V, but typically measured as relatively efficient for a planar)
This makes it one of the easier-to-drive modern HiFiMan planars (easier than older Ananda models or Susvara/Arya variants). Reviews describe it as having "better than average" sensitivity, requiring less power for good volume levels compared to many other planars.

iFi hip-dac 3 power output (official specs):Balanced (4.4mm): 400 mW @ 32 Ω; up to 6.3 V @ 600 Ω
Unbalanced/S-Balanced (3.5mm): 280 mW @ 32 Ω; 3.2 V @ 600 Ω

For low-impedance headphones like the Ananda Nano (14 Ω), the amp can deliver plenty of current and voltage swing. Planars often benefit more from current delivery than raw wattage at high impedance, and the hip-dac 3 performs well here. Multiple user reviews and tests (including from Headfonics, Head-Fi, and others) explicitly mention pairing the hip-dac 3 with the Ananda Nano successfully:It drives them with good headroom, clean sound, and no issues at normal listening volumes.
One review notes it's sufficient for "headphones that aren’t power hungry" like the Ananda Nano and Grado models.
Another tester used it with the Ananda Nano in listening impressions and found it capable (alongside even more demanding models like the Arya Organic).

The balanced output is recommended for best performance (more power, lower noise/distortion, better channel separation). Use a balanced cable for the Ananda Nano if possible.In short: You should get ample volume, good dynamics, and satisfying performance without needing a more powerful desktop amp for portable/daily use. If you're pushing extremely loud levels or want even more authority, a dedicated desktop amp might edge it out, but for most users, the hip-dac 3 is more than capable.[/i]


Hope that helps!

Cheers!

Slush

Much appreciated Slush

AI is amazing.
We are living in the future!