Newb needing headphone / AMP DAC advice for laptop & turntable listening

Headphones Headphone Discussion / Help
1

I’m an audio newb with a small budget, but a recent move from a home to a duplex has me wanting to take a bigger step into headphones.

I’ll be listening to music primarily from my laptop and from an Audio Technica AT-LP120XUSB turntable (currently run through a Yamaha RX-V579 receiver, with a busted headphone jack).

Headphones:
Wanting to stay around the $200 range and leaning towards the Sennheiser 560s,
as a solid/reliable all-around option for a variety of music. I also looked at various other Sennheiser, Hiifiman and other options in this price range and feel safe going with the 560s.
I love drum heavy bands like Brutus ( Brutus - SUGAR DRAGON (Live in Ghent) - YouTube ), love Sigur Ros, Radiohead, Counting Crows, psych rock like the Oh Sees and more stripped back music with a focus on vocals and lots of live albums and bootlegs. Hoping the 560s will be a good fit.

DAC / AMP:
Seems obvious I need at least a cheap amp & dac to get the most out of the 560s.
Any recommendations on what I should look for that would allow me to use my headphones with both my turntable and laptop?
Hoping to stay somewhat close to $100-$150 for now, so maybe a amp / dac combo? Is there something that would work for this? Would the FiiO K5 Pro DAC and Headphone Amplifier work for what I need?

2

Hi, welcome to HFG!

I think the k5 pro would work just fine for what you are looking to do. The turntsble would go into the line in and the laptop to the USB in. Then all you have to do is flip the input switch on the front to whichever you want to listen to atm. The 560s isn’t super hard to drive (120ohm) so probably good on power from the k5 pro (1.5 watt @ 32ohm and 20Vpp @300ohm). I am not the most knowledgeable on what headphones work best with certain types of music so maybe some others will chime in on something/s that may better suite your preferences.

P.s. live the Oh Sees!

3

K5 Pro is solid budget choice with power upside. ZenDAC will get recommendations, but requires balanced cable for its best, a complication and cost. The Schiit Fulla 4 at $109 would work in this scenario in a compact friendly frame. Limited future power upside though.

560s is a solid all-arounder. I think it is give and take, but I’d sooner take a 58x personally. 5xx in this range quite good for live.

There’s a million headphones and I think 560s is a fine choice.