[Ishcabible]

When I had the HE500 back when it first came out, I actually thought it sounded better out of my vintage receiver than the Burson HA-120D. And a used HE500 is much less than $600. I'm getting one for $470.

 

[BucketInABucket]

When I had the HE500 back when it first came out, I actually thought it sounded better out of my vintage receiver than the Burson HA-120D. And a used HE500 is much less than $600. I'm getting one for $470.

Vintage receivers are famous for powering orthos to beautiful heights. Also, I had no idea what used prices for the HE-500 were like so I went with a wild guess 

 

[zolkis]

A used Sennheiser HD800 with a used Furutech ADL Esprit.
Or, Stax SR-407 (or older Lambda Sig) with a used SRM-323S, or SRD-7 + your speaker amp.
Or, for a closed setup, Fostex TH600 + anything, e.g. Fostex HP-A4 or even your iPod. That can be with you all the time.
Actually, a used Fostex TH900 + your iPod will sound pretty good, too.

 

[Soundsgoodtome]

Under a grand?

A used Sennheiser HD800 with a used Furutech ADL Esprit.
Or, Stax SR-407 (or older Lambda Sig) with a used SRM-323S, or SRD-7 + your speaker amp.
Or, for a closed setup, Fostex TH600 + anything, e.g. Fostex HP-A4 or even your iPod. That can be with you all the time.
Actually, a used Fostex TH900 + your iPod will sound pretty good, too.

 

[zolkis]

The first is slightly over indeed, but Sonido passed that himself earlier, so I thought it's worth mentioning. Not mentioning that for best bang for the bucks, scalability is a factor, too.

The rest is under, or close to a grand (in the States). The choice is the readers', I just passed the tips I consider money well spent.

 

[Wildcatsare1]

Schiit Modi(109.00)>Valhalla (354.00)>HD650's (400.00 Black Friday sale), highly musical, beautiful compact stack, a great landing area or place to grow from, love it !!!

 

[whirlwind]

 Mad Ear+HD     $500.....used   paired with RS1i     $485 used
 
Mad Ear+HD  paired with HD650
 
Synergy with this amp and both cans is just off the hook.   

 

[Cyber-J]

Heir Audio 5.0 (650$)
 
Fiio X5 (400$)
 
About 1k for an amazingly portable rig. 
 
Senn HD598 with the X5 at home for the comfort.
 
I really want to get the HD650 guys. Do I? Would it be a big difference? Would it make me throw out the 598s? Would it stomp on the 5.0s? Will it even pair well with the X5? I need help

 
For now, listening to Kraftwerk, I love the 5.0s with the X5 

 

[xkonfuzed]

I believe you can do much less than $1000. 
 
Aune T1 ($200)
7308 tubes ($70+)
Beyerdynamic DT880 ($300) or Sennheiser HD600 ($300-$400)

 

[chubbs24]

Bifrost uber b-stock $460
HD 650(used) $260
bottlehead crack no speedball $279
total=999 owww yeah!