For better or worse, I've picked up the HD 598 and paired it alongside a FiiO E07K dac/amp.  This is my first foray into audiophile headphones after wanting to hop into the entry level for quite some time (as you can tell by my join date here and first post being yesterday).  My experience with...

I appreciate the discussion thus far.  I believe what I am going to do is allot my budget towards a quality headphone and only introduce a DAC/amp later if I feel it is needed.  Thanks for the recommendations, now to start reading reviews.

  Not bass heavy but I want the bass to present, not overpowering the sound as a whole.

  Perhaps I used the wrong terminology then, I have been using DAC and amp interchangeably.  Should I be shopping instead for an amp?  Is this needed with my laptop setup?

Thanks for the replies.  I read elsewhere (possibly in the starter threads) about how an open-back design allows a "fuller/richer" sound experience...is that the case?  I work in my own office and do not mind a bit of sound leakage, if that occurs with an open-back design.

It's rare that I post one of these threads but navigating the new (to me) world of headphones is a bit daunting.  I typically do my own research but there's a LOT of product out there and I'd like some recommendations to hone in on what I should be looking at.   I'm looking for new headphones...