[jpscool4u]

OK, so a couple questions.

Regarding the DAC/amp, why do i need a DAC if the iPod has a DAC built-in (and apparently has hi-fi quality)? Even if i use a LOD (Pocketdock Line Out), won't it have already be converted to analog? Anyway....you can only use the DAC in the iBasso D2 using USB from a computer, and you can't do that with an iPod. And for when I use my headphones with my laptop, do I really need an external DAC? I have a Creative X-Fi Sound Blaster 24/96 external soundcard (expresscard), which has optical and line out, so shouldn't I just use that and output it to a headphone amplifier? I assume the sound card can do a decent enough job as a DAC, no?

Also, if in fact don't need the DAC, what portable amp should I get? I want it to be about the size of an iPod Classic, and around $170/$150 or less. I don't want to bother spending $170 on the iBasso D2 if i won't use the DAC. Is the Practical Devices XM4 good? What about the Little Dot MKI? I want somethat that can at least decently power the HD 650's, in case I get them. Or should I just totally forgo the 650's and go with one of the beyer's? The denon's are good, but from what i've heard, closed headphones are nothing compared to open ones. And since I managed to find them all pretty cheap (especially the 650's), i figure I should just get 2 pairs. $600 for 2 good pairs of headphones and a good amp is a pretty good deal, considering most of these headphones each retail for about $600 alone.

Also, for the interconnect, should I get 1 cable that's ipod dock to minijack, or should I get the pocketdock line out and then just use minijack-to-minijack

Is there anything special about those interconnect cables that cost $50-$100? I see them on ebay and other places, they just look like regular cables with stitching on the outside. Do they sound better? Do i need them? Where can I get a cheap ($20?) interconnect cable? Since i'll be using the amp with my computer, I figure that getting the pocketdock adapter and then just a mini-to-mini, but if dock-to-mini AND mini-to-mini will work out cheaper, i'll do that.

Also, since I can get the HD 650 on JR.com for $270 now after rebate, should I get them in addition to the denon's? (I'm not made of money, but if i'll end up getting them in a year, I don't want to pay more - $270 for them is REALLY cheap.)

Could I use the denon's when i'm on the go, and then the 650's with my laptop (since they're open)? Will a cheap-ish amp ($150ish) that i'll use for the denon's be able to power the HD 650's?

Please explain .... i'm kinda noobish with all this audio stuff compared to you guys.

Oh yeah, and finally....are the cables on the Denon's and the Senn's really long? If i use them (mainly the Denon's) on-the-go, I only want around a 1 meter cable, definitely max 2. If i can get shorter cables, I can't afford the cardas $200 ones. I would pay a max of $50 for it (and it's mainly for the denon's which i don't even know have removable cables)

thanks alot