Help me budget my set up / pick dac/amp for rs2i

Well, I got overzealous in my first attempt at assembling a headphone rig. My main failures involved picking the wrong brand of headphones for my preferences and poorly evaluating my primary usage; I bought hd650's which I found to be not exiting, or fun enough, and an ibasso d4. The D4 sounds good, but I don't need a portable amp, and would prefer 1/4" outputs. I sold my hd650's and am thinking of going for the Grado RS2i (or maybe 325is). Although I am satisfied with the sound from the d4, I feel like I may be sacrificing something for the portability factor, and since I don't use it on the go I'd rather have a better desk top set up. My budget is $400 for amp and dac. I was thinking about building a starving student amp and figure I can do this for roughly $150. If I were to go this route, what DAC would you guys suggest at under $250. Or, would I be better off buying a combination dac/amp? (I'm sort of leaning towards dac/amp combo)

I'm planing on doing much more research this time around, I just want somewhere to start, and better yet to hear what some of your guys' favorite setups are (with rs2i or 325, and within price range).

Edit (budgeting): I forgot to address this. I know that I should chose the headphones on sound, but if $400 dollars isn't enough to buy a suitable amp/dac for the rs2i, then I'll go with the 325 to increase my amp budget. How should I be splitting up the money?


(mods: If this should be posted in the computer section instead of amp section I apologize, please move it.)

I heard the rs2 today and much prefer it to the 325, so the budget issue is out. I'm going to get the rs2i, and will have up to $400 dollars left for the dac/amp.

I know a lot of people are using the compass, which falls in to my price range. Would this be better/worse than the EF2 when used in combination with the rs2i?