Is this a worthy upgrade from my HK-3490?

[Anarchist420]

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_773ICNH...=detailed_info

I use headphones with my HK-3490, because my infinity Primus P162 speakers really suck (can't hear small details), so I was wondering if the Icon HDP would be a better amp for driving headphones?

Or should I spend $450-600 on better speakers for the HK3490? Good speakers are really expensive, even when they're on special. I would only get like $80 (maybe $100-110 if I didn't have to ship them) if I were to sell my P162s since I bought them for $79.99 each (plus shipping) about a year ago.

Finally, in case I go with the better speakers option, where could I buy pre-cut/trimmed OFC speaker cable (4 shielded and jacketed at 8-15 feet each, 16 gauge or better)?

 

[kornphlake]

It really depends on what you prefer, headphones are not loudspeakers and loudspeakers are not headphones. I really feel more engaged with the music listening to loudspeakers, the HK3490 is a great amp and you probably paid quite a bit for it, to me it seems like a waste to let it sit unused and dump a bunch of money on a headphone amp.

If you feel you'd prefer headphones exclusively go ahead on get a headphone amp, the increased power should make your headphones sound more dynamic.