I am a recent owner of the BeyerDynamic DT-660's. They're amazing, especially for the price, amazon under $190. This thread http://www.head-fi.org/t/559542/i-truly-believe-these-are-one-of-the-best-classical-music-headphones-ive-ever-heard prompted me to buy them but only after much consideration. I'm glad I did. They're easy to drive, no big need to buy something special for them although they might benefit some. Their 32 ohm load is easy to power and they're very efficient. I've owned the Q701's and thought they were O.K., but there was something odd about the mid-range on classical piano. I recommend trying the DT-660's at a dealer or buying on-line with a 30 day return policy. BTW, they can do symphonic bass drum and pipe organ very well.
Like you, I enjoy all things classical, and I have owned a number of different headphones. If you have a strong preference for detail and neutrality in a sound signature, then I would recomend that you consider buying a used Stax system. In the long run it will save you money if classical music is your preference.
If you are going the dynamic route I would recommend trying the Shure headphones in addition to the headphones mentioned by others. They are easy to drive out of an iPod or other player or computer, and so you can spend your budget on the headphones. You can always buy an amp. later. I own the SRH-1840, which to me has the best features of the AKG 701s and Sennheiser HD600s for classical. I haven't tried the Shure SRH-1440, but from what I have read, it is similar to the 1840 for considerably less money.
A 701 will work just fine, but I would actually recommend a used HE5-LE/HE-500 (should be in budget...?), or the HD600 mentioned by a couple others. On more than a few chamber/opera recordings there is some super-stereo that goes on, and a headphone with massive soundstage like the 701 drives me insane in those situation w/o crossfeed. I would definitely not get a Denon - way too much bass.
Never heard the 501 or 550.
The OP didn't mention opened v. closed. For closed, I still think the AKG K271 is great for closed classical, and way cheaper than the above opens (but not as good, of course).
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