What else? (Noob looking for recommendations)

Hey everybody....I did some searching and saw some recommendations, but nothing really fit, so here I am.

What I'm looking for:

Over the ear headphones in the ~$100 range, +- $50.

Awesome sound quality (I want it to sound like virgin angels are having sex in my head)

I would prefer a non-foldable design (M50S, etc) unless someone can vouch for durability

What I listen to:

dubstep, old school rap, techno, top 40, classic rock, modern rock...actually, pretty much everything except bluegrass and country.

My intended devices:

iPod

Home stereo receiver

I do not currently have an amp, but would also be looking for a recommendation for that as well.  Same price range...portability is not an issue.  I don't normally travel when I rock, and have access to A/C power. 

As it stands, I'm eyeing the M50S, although it's at the top of my range, but I'm just not sure about durability. 

Any one care to weigh in?  Thanks everybody.

- JM

 Found a link for the FA-003's from GD Base. 

Is there a better sounding option for headphone amps in the same rough price range if I'm not worried about portability?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssrock64 

Amping style is relatively subjective with any good amp. Are you looking for a home amp, then?

Well, sort of.  I'll be living on a boat as of next month.  I'd like something that will drive the sh*t out of the fa-003's and make them sound even more amazing, but I'd also like something that will handle a set of small bookshelf speakers and a sub (if necessary) so that I can kick it to the speakers when I either don't want to be tethered, or am entertaining.  I haven't settled on speakers/sub yet, so I don't know what kind of power I'll need, but shouldn't be too high....space limits me to bookshelf speakers.  I don't have a preference for digital vs. tube, although I think tube amps are aesthetically pretty sweet, and I've always heard they sound better.  I also need something with inputs...I have a turn table/vinyl collection.  My current tt doesn't have an amp built in, so I have to have a phono jack, but I'm looking to upgrade my table to something that sounds better (currently running Onkyo CP-1114A that someone was throwing out) and I don't know yet whether or not the new TT will be amped or not.  (I haven't decided on what I'm going to run)  I also might run 4 speakers instead of 2....still working things out.  If I did, I'd like them selectable, A/B so I can control either zone or both.  This wouldn't be critical though. 

As far as what I'm looking at, I've heard the Polk RTi A1's are pretty decent for the price, and the local thrift has a sansui SR-626 on the shelf...just waiting for the price to come down.  They're asking $85 and I think that's high...doesn't have the dust cover.

Once I have that sorted out, then I'll be looking for something portable for around town, but at that point, I'll be looking at hifiman, etc for something better than my nano any way. 

Thanks for all the input, guys.  If any one wants to throw out suggestions for TT's and speakers too, I'll take those as well, even though we're in headphones.  I'd rather that then clutter up with 4 separate threads. 

- H3

Sweet...I'm gonna go ahead and nab the E7/9 combo...Fiio's come up a couple times as highly recommended.  Might grab one of those altoids tins too, just because they look awesome.  Thanks for the recommendations.

Alright...So I am ready to pull the trigger on the FA-003's, but only outlet I can find is GD-Audiobase, which is out of Russia and price +$35 shipping.  I'm weary of dealing with overseas companies...does any one have a domestic (USA) source for these?  Thanks,

edit: I just did a search on the forums and read up on gd-audio's reputation...now I'm DEFINITELY weary of them.  Any alternatives?

I DID find someone with a pre-order out for the brainwavz, but I kind of like the aesthetics of the fischer's.  Also, Lindy lists as available on the UK site, but not even listed on the US site.

- H3

How about recommendations for something equally sturdy and great sounding in the <$200 range AFTER shipping, since the FA-003's would have been $190 anyway.  I also prefer something available from a domestic, reputable company.  All the reviews about GD were claiming 2+ month shipping times, if they shipped at all.  Still looking for something closed, full (over-the-ear) design.

Haven't purchased...might hit up musica and see what's up with them.  Will not be purchasing through GD-baseaudio at this point.  Still open to other models.