Does it work well if I buy a “standalone” DAC first and upgrade headphones and possibly amp after?
Schiit Modi or a JDS Labs - OL DAC
OR
small devices like FiiO DAC’s any good for PC desktop use? (not using laptop/portable devices)
At which point is it overkill and on the other side too cheap for desktop PC and better suited for smaller? like wheres the middle ground?
200 USD budget
Currently have HyperX cloud 2 headset
sounds fine plugged into my desktop pc with 3.5mm or usb dongle.
You can’t connect your headphones directly to a DAC so getting a DAC if you don’t have a standalone amp is just a waste of money
I’d recommend getting a nice headphones amp first
(My recommendation is the JDS Labs Atom) and using it with your motherboard and then getting a better standalone dac later on down the road
Another option if you’re looking for an easy upgrade from onboard sound is something like Audioquest Dragonfly Red.
Thing is, doesn’t Hyperx cloud 2 has some kind of internal dac/amp connected via usb. I’m not sure how much mileage you’ll get swapping that for an external dacs or amp. If you want an upgrade then usually it goes headphone, then amp, then dac in order of importance.
For USD 200, get the JDS Labs Atom or Liquid Spark then get a separate DAC like maybe a Topping D10 or D30 (on sale or used). Or better yet save up to atleast USD 200 for a DAC alone and get something like the SMSL SU-8 DAC in the future.
Either way, the JDS Labs Atom or Liquid Spark will serve you good with not so hard to drive headphones.
Just go get the Monoprice THX portable. Insane dac and amp in one and not upgrade anything later on.