Phones or amp first?

Pretty simple question right now. Just need some advice.

 I'm pretty young and I can't afford much. I've just managed to save up to $250 Canadian, which is pretty big for me because that's the starting point of most affordable/budget headphone amps/ headphones. Right now all I have for audio is an iPod touch, a pair of Sennheiser hd280 pros and a pair of MTPC. So I have a question :)

 Right now, there's a classified for a pair of Sennheiser hd600s for $220 US, easily affordable. I really want a pair of higher end big cans, because I have in time discovered I prefer circum-aural over in ear (my ears start to ache no matter which tip I use. The flanges work but they kill the bass response) so that would be a bonus to get a nice pair of over ears.

 I could also right now afford a little dot mk III tube amp. It's pretty highly acclaimed and I think that would be a good start to a nice desktop rig, and I could build on it later.     

 I could get a portable amp, seeing as right now all I have are really portable headphones and the practical devices line look good, however I AM MORE in the market for a desktop rig, so I'm not too sure about that option.

 Or should I start with a DAC? A DAC would make the computer noise not an issue. I would, If I got a headphone amp plug in my ipod through a LOD to RCA and listen to it like that. Not the best quality so a DAC would be handy.

 Or should I save up more and get the little dot MK IV SE, which looks like a sexy beast :). It's also one of the only amps I've ever gotten the pleasure to test (you don't get many opportunities in Dubai).

 SO that's that. ANY advice would be appreciated. :)

Thanks in advance

 -Dylan

 First off, thanks :)

 Secondly: So do you not think I should get the sennheiser hd600? I have to say that those senns by far have my favourite sound. And if I do get the phones first, what would the step after that be? Amp, or Dac?

 Ahh seller won't ship internationally :(

Thanks everyone.

 The only reason all I have is portable is because I couldn't really afford much else :/  I'm looking to start a desktop rig, which is why I was considering the amp and dac first. So I definitely woould put the 600s into use ( I prefer open cans usually). However, those wouldn't work that well unamped. I was wondering, I might be able to get a pair of k701s on a good deal. I do know you need power to drive those things, but for the time being how would they fare unamped?

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidel 

You really wouldn't want to go ampless with the k701 for any amount of time.

That's what I thought. What if I told you I could get the maverick tubemagic D1 AND the k701's.... verdict?

Quote:

Originally Posted by PanamaRed 

I'd suggest saving a little more and getting a used Valhalla and a pair of the 701's.

 But I still wouldn't have a DAC, and a bad sound card for that matter. I'll think about it, but I'm gone back to Dubai in two and a half more weeks, and not much/ not many people will ship there for cheap/ at all.