220 Pro and Headphones

[Norty]

I will be significantly downsizing in the next few months and don’t believe that my speakers will make the move.  I am looking to go strictly headphones. I read one of the posts (from 2014) discussion that not only can I connect to the 220 but is a great upgrade to many other solutions.  For all of you with headphones do you still believe this to be the best solution? 
 
If no, I would appreciate recommendations.  And if you still agree that direct to the 220 is the best setup I would like to know what you are using for headphones, cables, the RCA connector etc. And any other tips.
 
I am about to start looking at headphones, lots to look at with headphones themselves, closed / open back, planar magnetic, electrostatic…which do you use? Any resistance restrictions for the headphones? Sad to lose the joy I get from my speakers; but hoping I can get close to it with a good quality headphone when I move to a condo. Budget will likely be in the $5K Canadian range.
 
In short, any comments are appreciated.
 
Thanks

[Pim]

I use a Chord Poly/Mojo combination to run a pair of JH Audio Sharona in ear monitors for when I'm traveling. When I initially received the JH Audios there was a little distortion in one side. To check that it wasn't the amp combo I tried them on my D200's headphone output, with a cheap dual RCA to 3.5mm cross-over cable. I was really surprised by how good the D200 sounded. It was certainly better than the Chord combo. It might not be 'the best' but then again, what is?

If I were you, I'd first buy the headphones I like and just try them on your D220 Pro before committing to a new DAC/Amp combo. Or, even better, just take the 220 to the shop to try headphones.

As for headphones I will give you the best advice you can get from anyone; don't take anyone's advice. Seriously. I have found that those differences we get between speakers are nothing compared to the differences you hear between headphones. So it's all about your personal taste. For instance, I really liked a pair of ZMF headphones (very natural sound and well reviewed), but I absolutely hated the RAAL Requisite 'ear speakers' (All detail, but not enjoyable at all and getting rave reviews).

Enjoy the journey mate. Take your time to get it right.

[Stian_Gel]

I recently sold my headphone amp, and went back to just using a RCA to 3.5mm.
Sounds really good to my ears.
I have a 250 and DT880 600ohm.
Only negative is that i have to turn the volume up higher then when i am listening on the speakers.

[Norty]

Thanks for the info!  Glad I can keep the 220 as it allows me the flexibility of buying a bookshelf speaker down the road if the space (and neighbours) allow.  Now the hard part……..picking out the right headphones.

[thumb5]

If you plan to connect headphones directly to the 220's pre-amp output, it might be worth bearing in mind that this isn't really what the pre-amp output is intended for. It will work best for high-impedance headphones; if the impedance is too low you might find the output can't drive the headphones properly - the tonal balance may not be right and/or the output level may not be sufficient. As @Pim suggested, try the headphones with the 220 before buying, if at all possible.

[Norty]

For those of you who have done headphones with your Devialet, where did you get the "Y" connector for RCA male to 1/4" female headphone plug?  And/Or what headphone cable do you use if the manufacturer could build it.

Down to either the Meze Elite or the Dan Clark Expanse but need 4 meters of cable plus the Y.  Ouch!

.................or maybe the new system tomorrow will have a decent headphone jack!