Another beginner question. Super confused. Need Amp, DAC, both, what one(s)?

Hey guys/gals. So I hate being "that guy" asking the same question a billion times, but I'm getting pretty confused here.

I've spent the better part of the past 4 or 5 hours reading up on "good" headphones and amps/DACs and I want to take the dive into the world of quality headphones but the amp and DAC stuff is confusing me more and more. I get the principles of what each item does, but the more I research and read about them and hear what other people say, the more I'm getting super confused about what would be best for me.

So, summary of what I'm looking for:

- I tend to listen mostly to a wide range of rock; anywhere from classic to acoustic stuff to alternative to metal.

- My primary setup will be at my work station with the new gen 27in iMac. (Not sure if this helps with anything, but just in case.)

- Looking to buy a pair of $200-300 headphones. I have the Grado SR60s with no amp. They are my favorite headphones I've used thus far (not that I've really used any "great" ones). Right now I'm thinking about the AKG Q701s. (<<-- Not anymore.) After several more hours of research I've come up with a few options I'm interested in for the cans: Grado 225i, Grado 325i, Denon AH-D2000, Beyerdynamics DT770, Beyerdynamic DT990 Premiuim. I know this is the amp forum, but if you have any thoughts on these, I'd love to hear them also.

- AMP.... no clue really. At first, I was thinking sub $100 and looking at Fiio and NuForce amps, but I'm not so sure anymore. 

- DACs... same thing really. The items I listed above claim to be both so I guess I've mainly looked at combos.

So, as I stated above, the more I've read, the more I'm questioning my first thoughts about the combo unit and the sub $100 range. I don't want to spend a million dollars, but if there's something more around the $200 mark, I'm all ears. I am also considering just buying an amp for now (maybe?) so I can put more money into a solid amp and not dilute it in a combo unit or on two separate items. This is where I'm really confused and doubting my judgment. Any help would be awesome.

In short, if you have a suggestion on how to spend around $200ish on an Amp/DAC combo or to go with two separate units, possibly buying one now and saving for the other down the road a little, that'd be splendid. I'll take suggested items up to around $300 with good explanation on why I should spend the extra $100 but I'm really hoping to stick to the $200ish mark.

*Oh yeah, I've seen a lot about DIY stuff. I'm ok with DIY stuff (for amp/DAC) as long as I can just buy a kit and not have to order 20 separate parts, ha.

**Also, I'm not fixed on the amp/DAC/whatever being portable or desktop. I'm more concerned with the price vs. quality issue than portability. 

***Edited out the part about the Q701s after more research. It seems pretty conclusive giving that I listen some sort of rock most often that these would not be the best choice for me at the moment. So I guess I'm open for headphone suggestions also :) I hear lots of good things about Grado 225i and 325i. I love my SR60i's but not sure if I want to get a $200-300 pair that looks no different to be honest.

Thanks a ton.

Sorry if it wasn't clear in my original post but I do want to get headphones. The amp/DAC question is in addition to that. The amp/DAC isn't for my SR60s, though I suppose it can't hurt. I was just mentioning that I own that pair of phones and do like them.

T50RP is a set of headphones right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jojomite 

and as for the q701, i haven't heard it but i assume its the same as the k701, which i felt was more suited to classical music. 

Well, I guess I'm open to suggestions for the headphones as well. As I said before, I do listen to a variety of rock primarily. 

This just highlights my problem. The more I read about headphones/amps/DACs and the more opinions I hear, the more confused I get and the more I question my own judgement, ha

Woke up this morning and starting researching more. Saw lots about Grados (which I knew were good) and Beyers for rock music so I was looking into Beyers more but had not drawn any conclusions. I'll check out the DT770s. I'm not too familiar with that model but have heard good things about the DT990 Premiums. I had also looked at the D2000s a while back and heard good things about them

Also, I'm not against going closer to $300 for the headphones. That's why I say "ish" with my price ranges, ha. I can be persuaded. 

Lastly, I am not looking to get a pair of cans with no amp. I understand and know I will need one if I really want good sound so that's not the problem. Just trying to spend $500ish or less for the cans and amp/DAC.

No kidding ;) Thanks for the suggestions! I'll give them a look for sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NinjaSquirt 

If you like rock, avoid the DT770, they come heavily recommended for bass heads, honestly I've never been impressed with them even as far as the bass head in me goes. DT990 is slightly recessed mids which would also be bad for rock. If you want a cheap DAC/amp, check out the NuForce U-Dac 2. The T50RPs apparently do mids amazingly for their price and for just above $70, I think anyone should be able to afford to find out.
 

 

Thanks for the input and the heads up about the Beyers Ninja. I had read through a bunch of "best rock headphones" threads and found the Beyers suggested several times so thought they may be worth a look.

Also, thanks for the NuForce suggestion. It is certainly one I'm considering. I just don't want to get something I'll want to upgrade in a few months and have it be a waste of $125.

The T50RPs look pretty good for the price but I'm not opposed to spending $200-300 on headphones if it will get me something better.

Thanks again Ninja. You've been quite helpful. So, if you get a DAC separate from an AMP, the DAC pugs into a comp via USB which feeds into the amp, correct?

Edit*** Did some reading and answered my own question