[christophrowley]

 
I'm currently using an Asus Xonar Essence ST with my Sennheiser HD 595s but I feel like moving up to something a little more high end. Over the next 18 months or so I intend to swap out both, but for what I'm not sure. As far as headphones go, the AKG K702s, Sennheiser HD 650s and Denon AH-D5000s seem to be my best options, but having heard the 595s with an old NAD CD player/amp combination, I think I'd see a respectable improvement upgrading the Essence ST first. Plus it feels somehow more proper to lay a more suitable foundation for such highly acclaimed headphones (feel free to dispute this order).
 
My budget for new cans is £220-400 so for an amp and DAC, I've been looking at stuff around £250-400, but nothing jumps out at me as a must buy. This is where I need your help. I've only really been into high end audio gear for about two years now and any advice or suggestions you could provide would be very much appreciated. 
 
 
DACs  I've considered:
 
Arcam rDAC
Cambridge Audio DAC Magic
iBasso D4/10/12
 
 
Amps I've considered:
 
Headroom Portable Micro Amp +DAC
Schiit Lyr
Woo Audio 3
Musical Fidelity X-CAN V8P
 
 
Thanks in advance.