It took a lot of deliberation and help from you guys, but I finally decided upon the Asgard 2 and a Modi. Thanks so much for all your suggestions and expertise, I will let you know how everything sounds tomorrow!

Hmmm, this is a tricky decision.

Oh wow, both the Modi/Magni combo and the ODAC/O2 look like incredible values. Thoughts for deciding between the two for my ES60s?

One more question for you cel, if you don't mind. Just to cover all my bases, are there any desktop usb DACs, not DAPs, in the $300-500 range that you would recommend? Thanks again for your help!

I guess it really comes down to the usage as a USB DAC. Several forum posts have noted that iBasso has not provided drivers for OSX, which is worrisome to me. Any insight on this cel4145?

Okay, gotcha. I know it's up to personal tastes, but not having had the opportunity to compare the sound signatures (nor will I without buying both, unfortunately), which DAP would you recommend? The X5 or DX90?

I understand your description of the DX90's sound qualities, but I'm having trouble interpreting your explanation of the X5. Does blacker background mean a darker/deeper bass/lows presence? Thanks for your reply!!

So, basically, I'm trying to decide between the X5 and the DX90. I read an article saying that the DX90 could not be used as a DAC with macs (which would be an issue for me!). Is this true? And if so, can the X5 be used with a mac?

Thanks! I'll take a look at that one as well!

Cool, thanks very much for the advice, guys! I will do some price hunting on the DXs and see what I can find     I don't know how helpful it would be, but I could also post some first impressions of the ES60s when I get them eventually.

Great to hear! Could you also help me discern the difference between the DX50 and DX90? I understand the DX90 is "better" and higher-end, but how so?

Thanks for the suggestion! Can a DAP like the DX90 be used as a DAC for my laptop as well?

Thanks for the reply! Everything you have recommended seem to be very good choices from the quick research I just conducted. Would you sway me to go the DAP or DAC/amp way? And depending on your answer, why you would suggest it? 

Any thoughts?

Hi HeadFi'ers!   I have been lurking on Head-Fi for a few years now, browsing various reviews, recommendations and help from the likes of amazing folks like ljokerl. While I mostly bought cheap, my first pair of "real" headphones were the HD 595's about three years back. Today is my first...