Who knew?
Quite a few of us knew. A good headphone amp and high end headphones can give surprising performance and is like getting a second system. I use mine about half the time compared to running loudspeakers.
Speakers vs. headphones
I’ve spent many, many years building a stereo system that I finally can say I’m satisfied with, but recently had to make a change due to a complaint of “too much noise” in the house. So, headphones were the answer.
After just a few days of listening with a middling headphone (HIFIMAN Ananda) and inexpensive DAT (Firefly Cobalt,) I find myself enjoying (and getting into) the music more. Of course my system objectively is much better and cost light years more. However, I find there is a certain intimacy, seemingly being closer to the music, and of course no distracting audible room effects to deal with.
I’m not giving up speaker listening but what a pleasant surprise.
Who knew?