For what it is, the iPhone and Sony headphones are okay. It is what I use when I travel. I have a nice pair of wireless noise cancelling that I am very happy with. That being said, sound can get a lot better. Lossless digital files will sound great and then you can find hi-res files (better than CD quality) at HD Tracks or the Phono store that will sound even better. No streaming service is perfect in my opinion. Pick the one that best meets your needs and has the fewest shortcomings.

The question is, what do you want to accomplish? Do you want a great portable system? Are you looking to build a home system?

You can make huge gains in quality for modest amounts of money. My experience is that you make big gains in quality to a point then the expense for noticeable improvement becomes obscene in your mind. Then give it three years and that expense no longer seems obscene. I had a $1000 system. Then I jumped to. $3000 system. Then $10,000 system. Right now I have $21,500 in my system and see obvious places for improvement. I love this hobby and Sunday listening to 4 records back to back on Sunday was wonderful. It brings me a lot of joy so for me it is worth every nickel.

Where do you want to go? We will help you get there as efficiently as possible.

The first thing that comes to my mind when someone is considering spending money on hi-fi these days is what sort of music are you going to be playing? This is important.

Believe it or not, a hell of a lot of popular music from the last two decades is not capable of benefiting from better playback systems. Much of it was recorded and engineered to be played back on very compromised equipment and in very poor environments.

Don't mistake my comment for some sort of grumpy old guy syndrome, I like all sorts of music genres. I'm just trying to potentially save people the money and hassle of trying to get something out of nothing. Sometimes music that was engineered for those who value convenience and portability are best served consuming it in that very way.