Quote:
Originally Posted by
BearWant 
Those two you recommend sound like they compliment each other excellently. My only worry is that when I get the itch again I won't have a foundation to build on. With the HD598 I could run without an amp until I could afford an amp. I would buy a capable amp with the foresight that I may upgrade later down the road I would get a higher end headphone. Have you found as you moved up the ladder that you no longer have use for your HM5 and MS1i or do you often come back to them?
The other question I guess what are the gains of holding off and saving up for an HD600. Is that a far departure from the HD598?
Great questions - and really depends on what you want and where you want to get to. Yes you can jump in higher up the chain, and it would be cheaper - but how do you know what you ultimately like unless you get a chance to try different models / brands?
My journey so far has been:
Full size - Senn eh250, Shure SRH840, AT AD700, Alessandro MS1i, Beyer DT880, Shure SRH940, Senn HD600, Brainwavz HM5.
IEM - (haven't listed the el cheapos) Shure Se420, Shure SE315, Shure SE425, Brainwavz B2
Amps/Dacs - SB Live! 24bit external, Fiio E7, Fiio E9, Fiio E11, GoVibe PortaTube, Audio-gd NFB-12
My current sig lists what I still have and am currently using.
Each step along the way has helped me refine what I like and what I don't like in a headphone. Without the experience, I'd have nothing to compare. I've also had a lot of fun doing it!
As well as what I've bought - I've been fortunate enough to demo quite a few different headphones - usually just briefly - but enough to get a small taste of the sound. Among them was the HD598 - spent about 1/2 an hour with it.
As far as moving up the chain goes - I've bought and sold along the way to minimise cost. I do regret selling both the DT880 and SRH840 - they were both special headphones, but in a choice between my current cans and getting those again - I'd keep what I have :)
All my current cans get 'ear-time'. I use the MS1i during the day (at work as well), sometimes when walking if it's not too noisy. I use the HM5 early evening - and they will be my travel cans (long-haul flights), and I use the HD600 for later in the evening, or for chilling in the weekends. I really enjoy all of them.
IMO there is a lot of difference ebtween the HD598 and HD600. To my ears, the 598 is more forward, a little more edgy, not as good with bass, and doesn't have the same texture and realism as the HD600. It is comfortable, can be driven straight out of a DAP (without an amp) and has really good soundstage. The HD600 is my current king - nothing I've heard so far is as natural or well balanced. I don't think I'll ever sell it.
Ultimately you need to decide how you will approach your journey - get their fast (enjoy a higher level earlier - but maybe have to wonder about alternatives), or enjoy the journey (spend more, get to ultimate goal more slowly - but gain a lot of knowledge on the way).
I chose the second route - and haven't regretted it so far. Your journey is really up to you 
