Quick advice for a blooming audiophile? LD MK3 w/ AKG K701?

I haven't been a member for long but I do enjoy lurking. I did quite a bit of research on here before I bought my first pair of headphones. I finally settled on a pair of ATH-M50s and I've thoroughly enjoyed them but I think it's time to move on. 

With the M50s, I read you didn't really need an amp so I never bought one. But I've done quite a bit of research on my next set of headphones and I really like the AKG K701. I've read that they are hard to drive and need a good amp. I'm not looking to spend a ton of money to drive them, something under $300 preferably. I know that amount of money probably isn't ideally sufficient to drive these headphones but I'm hoping I'll still see an improvement over the M50s? Something different at least and something I can upgrade in the future. 

I've seen people recommend the Little Dot MKIII and say it works well with the K701. I know down the line I'll probably get an external DAC and completely change the amp but for now, I'm just looking at a decent amp that will drive the K701 well enough. The source is my 2009 Unibody MBP. I know as a source it isn't good at all but it's what I have to work with. I was thinking: mbp > LD Mk3 > k701. The connection between the mbp and the amp being a mini stereo to RCA? Will this be utterly shiet or will it be ok? 

TL;DR: Just looking for a quick response maybe confirming my amp choice (LD MK3 for use with AKG K701) or maybe recommending something small that I can expand on in the future? Small not being portable, but a small footprint on my wallet. To note: It took a while but most all of my library is 320kbps/FLAC. I listen to bands like Phoenix, Blue October, Ronald Jenkees, Maroon 5, etc with the occasional tiesto or deadmau5 thrown in. So alternative, rock, pop, electronic, stuff like that. Thanks guys <3

Here's a photo of my current setup, unfortunately no eye candy audio equipment wise.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/neil1138/5111994939/

EDIT: I came across this option as well: Head-Direct EF2. I've read good things, any thoughts?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcpoor 

With the k701 and other akg's go for a good solid state or hybrid amp. I'd pass on any OTL tube amp.

Thank you for the reply. Going on that, should I consider something like the Matrix M-Stage amp? 

Just messing around, I hooked up my yamaha rx-v457 stereo receiver as an amp. Mbp > stereo receiver > M50s and WOW. I read that the M50s don't really need an amp but damn, they sound great now! I've never heard this kind of bass through the M50s, it's amazing. 

I've read a couple of threads where people talk about using a stereo receiver as a headphone amp. Seems it's not generally recommended, I have no idea why not because this sounds superb.