Well I wouldn’t say ideally, but the XDSD has .5W output power at 16 ohms so it should have enough volume. But these inefficient planars really benefit from high current, so you definitely wouldn’t be getting the most out of it.
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Thank you man 
. That is what it’s sounding like from all of the knowledge on this amazing forum and the great forum members. So the IfI black label at 4,000mW @ 16 Ohm should give me more than enough power at the sacrifice of portability?
Can you think of any other Amp/Dac/Dap options that could give the Aeon2C The power they need in a smaller form factor for on the go listening?
Once again Thank you @Resolve @TylersEclectic @generic and other forum members for being so kind, patient, and generous with your knowledge as I learn more about this hobby.
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The black label has a high gain ‘turbo’ mode giving it much more power - not sure about the xdsd. I actually think you may be better suited to using the Dragonfly Red for portability - it’s a really tiny form factor, and then go with a proper desktop amp for home use. I used the black label with the Aeon open originally, and while it could power them, going to a full sized high current desktop amp was a very noticeable improvement.
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The xDSD powers the Hifiman HE-560 and the Sennheiser HD-6xx adequately. It’s better than the commercial series now airing that “Just OK is not OK”, it’s really much more than just OK.
I don’t hesitate to just use the xDSD if I am moving around or traveling. But my usual preference is to use the xDSD in line-out driving the Lyr3 (or the STAX amp) which shows the difference between Works just fine, and Works effortlessly.
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This is kind of how I see it too. Going portable inevitably requires some form of concession, but the XDSD is one of the better options anyway.
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I have been using the XDSD with my 6XX over the holiday with no complaint. Sure it’s not my THX desktop amp, but for on the go I still think it sounds pretty good. I never even get close to max volume either, but I know the planar headphones can be a bit tricky when it comes to power and based on what others have said. Have you AB listened to the Dragonfly Red vs the XDSD on a harder to drive planar? The reason I ask is if I could move to a smaller form factor such as the Dragonfly Red and get similar quality of sound from it to my XDSD that would make my on the go listening even easier with full size Aeon2C.
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I have the Dragonfly Black and the Dragonfly Cobalt. The Black runs out of steam on planars, and at higher volumes on Senn 6xx. The Cobalt is better, but it is clearly not the equal of the xDSD. Note that the Cobalt (unlike what @Torq reports vis a vis the Red) seems to have some current draw issues with iPhone. I was able to reproduce the error occasionally with the Camera Adapter 2, which, if you’re looking for minimum size, the way to go. The Camera Adapter 3 allows you to plug in, but then you might as well have the more potent iFi xDSD.
My on the go kit is iPhone6+ (yes I’m a dinosaur) to Camera Adapter 2, to Dragonfly Cobalt to Grado RS1e. That’s easy to drive, and the Cobalt includes the jitterbug circuitry. My old chain substituted the DFB + Jitterbug for the Cobalt.
The Red and Cobalt will drive planars, but not as loudly or competently as the xDSD, which has its own internal battery. Finally, although I can’t vouch for my hearing, to my ear the Burr Brown implementation in the xDSD is more pleasing for me than the Dragonfly ESS chips. I don’t like to use amorphous words like “dry” to describe what may well be the placebo effect, but I listen a fair amount to jazz combos, some small chamber orchestra, classical guitar, in addition to rock. I think that I hear the resonances of the classical guitar better with the xDSD, while the reproduction seems about equal on rock.
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Thank you @pennstac appreciate your thoughts! I think what I want to do is AB test listen between the IFi Micro black label and the XDSD to determine if the increase in size Of the Dac amp is worth it to me for the increase in potential sound. I suspect it will be , but by how much is the question. I think I will skip the Dragonfly route all together, it does seem to be the most portable solution but to your point the XDSD isn’t very big either and both options require the lighting to USB adapter with iPhone or iPad anyways.
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Take a look at the HiFiMan HE-400se. $129 right now, usually $149. Exceptional entry-level planar magnetic cans, but they need an amp.
EDIT: Holy thread revival. I just realized I’m responding to a post that’s two years old! Sorry! DOH!
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Lol, I was about to say that if he is still looking two years later, he is even more indecisive than I am 
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