Looks for Headphone Tube Amp

@soix also, totally fine shelling out more for a desktop amp, and dac/amp combo. Just piecing it together over the next month.

In that case, any amp suggestions? Or amps that would pair well w my dragonfly or the portable amp/dac I just posted?

Not using a DAC, should I use both a DAC and an amp?

RN using Apple Music, but will be getting tidal once I get my headphonees

@soix thanks for helping w this! I bout a dragonfly Red and the Apple lightening to USB 3 cable last year around this time for a pair of speakers!

looks like I’m halfway there. 
I’m definitely going to check out the Topping E30 as well. I’m back in school for another degree so I’m always sitting at my desk. Having options will be nice! 

@soix one more question 

I ended up getting the Topping E30 and L30 cause 1) I already owned the Dragonfly Red, which is perfect for walking around and 2) im trying to get a more permanent set up. 
I was wondering if I should connect the Topping equipment to my computer w an HDMI cord? Just not sure how to bypass my MacBook’s DAC 

@soix i hope it’s alright I keep running questions by you. If not, just lmk and I’ll stop blowing you up for advice haha

any RCA cables you’d recommend to connect the L30 & D30?

also, any USB to lightening male/male cables you’d recommend to connect D30 to a MacBook?

@soix i’m definitely going to jump in! This is all super helpful. I really appreciate your advice.

I was looking for a record system last year and tons of folks  had the same perspective on cables as you. Haha I think it simply means your opinion is in good company w me: I'm a believer in good cables after reading everyone's responses. I definitely want to invest in making this as nice as I can on my budget.

Slowly been assembling everything, i should be finished by the end of next week. I’ll keep you posted on how it all sounds when i've assembled It all! Thanks, again, for all your advice!

@soix everything finally came in the mail. I havent been able to stop listening to music hahaha. For a budget headphone setup, I'm pretty stoked on everything I got, it's perfect for what I needed and exactly what I was hoping it would be. Thanks for steering me in the right direction, I love this setup!

@ghdprentice Last year I was looking at an affordable turn table setup and most folks on the thread were thumbing their nose at me; it was pretty annoying tbh, since I admitted at the beginning of the thread I’m not an audiophile. It’s been refreshing to have helpful folks for this headphone endeavor.

For anyone who wants to know, here’s what I got, even though I kinda blew up my initial budget:

Desktop Setup:
- Meze 99 Classic Headphones
- Meze 99 Series Silver Plated Upgrade Cables
- Topping L30 Headphone Amplifier
- Topping E30 DAC
- iFi iPurifier USB Audio Filter
- Audioquest Golden Gate RCA Cables
- Audioquest Cinnamon USB B to C Cables

Phone (already had these components)
- Audioquest Dragonfly Red
- Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter