[mcandmar]

I got to vote Bottlehead too as i just built a S.E.X amp as i wanted a valve amp that could drive low impedance cans. The other candidate was a Woo WA6 but the S.E.X. was better value for me.
 
With the other $5-600 you have a pick of alot of DAC's.  Though you cant go wrong with an ODAC or Modi and buy a nice pair of headphones with the change..

 

[Asr]

Audio-Technica AD2000 & HeadAmp Gilmore Lite (or any other Dynalo-based amp)

 

[Fabaaroan]

For me!
Grado ps 500 used plus Meier corda swing (used) and the marvelous Audio GD reference 5 (nerver forget the source)

One word MUSICALITY

 

[NA Blur]

Combo #1:
 
Headphones:
Denon AH-D2000
Sennheiser HD-600
 
Amp:
JDS Labs O2 and ODAC
 
Combo #2:
 
Headphones:
Sennheiser HD-650
AKG K712 Pro
 
Amp:
Woo Audio W3

 

[cathee]

New around here, but I really like my set-up, and it's all under $1000 too 

 (kinda...) 
 
iPhone 5s
Grado PS500 ($530 - used mint from B&H)
Sony PHA-1 ($280 - used from the 'Bay with shipping)
 
Probably not the most "bang for buck" or "best" audio quality for $1000 but I really like this portable(ish - the PHA-1 is not exactly the epitome of portable) rig. 

 

[Violinboy123]

Option 1
Sennheiser HD 650
Earmax Pro

Option 2
Used Audeze LCD 2 rev 2
Used Schiit Asgard

 

[NamelessPFG]

If you can buy used from eBay or Head-Fi B/S/T:

Stax SR-Lambda (Normal bias 1979 model), usually $220-350 with SRD-6 or SRD-7/SB

Stax SRM-T1, usually $400-650

I had such a combo once 'til I had to sell it to cover the bills. Still bests any headphone setup I've heard yet, even Stax's own SR-202 + SRM-212 combo.

 

[Sonido]

If you can buy used from eBay or Head-Fi B/S/T:

Stax SR-Lambda (Normal bias 1979 model), usually $220-350 with SRD-6 or SRD-7/SB

Stax SRM-T1, usually $400-650

I had such a combo once 'til I had to sell it to cover the bills. Still bests any headphone setup I've heard yet, even Stax's own SR-202 + SRM-212 combo.

Did you ever have an opportunity to compare that with the Koss ESP950 setup? It ranges from $600-$1000 new depending on if you buy on sale. I've heard the Koss amp/energizer it comes with is the weakest link, and if you get an adapter cable to Stax amps, the ESP950 sounds better than Stax Lambda.

 

[NamelessPFG]

Did you ever have an opportunity to compare that with the Koss ESP950 setup? It ranges from $600-$1000 new depending on if you buy on sale. I've heard the Koss amp/energizer it comes with is the weakest link, and if you get an adapter cable to Stax amps, the ESP950 sounds better than Stax Lambda.

 
I wish. Chances are it's not happening unless someone either lends me a set or I get $700 to blow on one. (If only I had the money for that $350 ESP-950 I saw on eBay a couple years ago...yeah, I'm still kicking myself!)
 
Everyone who speaks of the ESP/950 says it's basically the SR-Lambda on steroids when driven off a Pro bias Stax amp, especially that glorious midrange which endears me so much to the SR-Lambda in the first place.
 
However, my primary concerns with the ESP/950 are reliability (given the reports of squealing, you're gonna need that Koss lifetime warranty) and an allegedly smaller soundstage to the Lambda lineup, which can hinder gaming. (Albeit not too much, if MLE's impressions are anything to go by...)

 

[koiloco]

You already know my answer : HE500 + Emotiva Mini-X. 

 

[GoldfishX]

Peachtree DacIt ($300 used)
Magni ($99)
Mad Dogs ($220 used, a standard used price)
DX50 as a source ($250)
 
What's this? I have plenty of cash left over. Time to upgrade that Magni.
 
Amazing flexibility and sound with this combo. Mad Dogs are too good for their asking price in a budget rig (or any rig that has the power to drive them). DX50 and DacIt makes a reliable and portable frontend.

 

[money4me247]

super underachiever, but my here is my set-up: 

HE400 rev4 ($300 black friday sale) + Bravo V3 tube amp ($65 on sale) + UD110v2 dac ($59) = $424 total.​

 

...remaining $576 spent on alcohol as that improves sound quality tremendously ​

 

[jibzilla]

.

 

[hemipowered007]

He4 - new for 349
Emotiva mini x new- 170
Dac destroyer - 50
Pioneer sx 727 - 35
Klh model sixes (2nd year made)- 40

Soon to come
Used bifrost or tubemagic d2- 300

Still under 1k and sounds insane. Will sound even better with a good dac.

 

[atsq17]

Headphone
---------------
MrSpeakers Mad Dog ($220 used)
 
DAC
-------
Modi ($99)
or 
PupDac ($175 built or $120 unbuilt)
 
DAC Upgrades
--------------------
Teradak LPS and USB Isolator ($120 delivered)
 
Amp
------
Burson Soloist SL ($365 used)
 
Cables 
---------
Audioquest Big Sur RCA ($50 discounted price)
 
Kimber Kable Cu USB Cable ($50)