[xelarok]

First, thanks to all who take the time to read this and drop some knowledge.

So for the past 3 days I've been searching for some good headphones to buy.  I've got no real good experience before, just whatever was on sale.  

I've searched around the site for a few hours each day and some other sites (Mad Lust Envy's headphone reviews have been especially helpful) and have felt that the best choice I can make for my location are AKG K712 Pros.  I especially like that they are pretty highly rated for gaming and are suitable for music as well.  I guess my 2nd choice (it's a close 2nd too) are the Philips Fidelio X2's.  Both are in my price range.  I chose the K712's because I keep reading they are more natural, faster. and cleaner than the X2's with a bigger soundstage and directional input.  Then I read some reviews, especially by @AlexRoma that they can sound warm with a Pegasus II HP.  So I was like, done deal. 

Problem: every time I look for the Pegasus II HP, I only come up with (cyrillic?) websites.  I can't even tell what's going on, and there might be better choices available to me in Korea.  I know nothing about Korean headphones. Even so, I'll still need to get an amp.
 
For reference:
AKG K712 Pro ~ 450 to 550 USD (made in china version) depending on the deal.
Philips Fidelio X2 ~400 (Made in China Nov 2014 model)

Can anyone recommend some good Korean amps for headphones?  I'd guess I'd like a little more bass than what I've read the K712's deliver, but I don't want to sacrifice any crispness (I don't mean high pitched, I mean being able to hear the difference between a septuplets on the bass drum and a lazy roll on the bottom tom).  My music taste is eclectic: metal, blues, jazz, techno, piano, orchestra, game OST, hip hop, occasionally pop probably others too.  

Also soundstage is extremely important as these will be on my head most of the time for playing games (yea i know about the audio technica sound whoring headphones, but I keep reading that they make games less immersive and fun). 

Ideally I'd like to get away with something for less than USD$500 dollars, and I'm a little squeamish to spend that much.  200 is an easy purchase though.  The way the Pegasus II HD was described made me think that it would be a great value at 350.  
 
Ideally I'd like to get something with a USB input and an input I can connect to the headphone out on my laptop (Alienware 17 r3).  A pre-out might be nice, but the only speakers I have are Logitech Z-5500.
 
I could get a Gustard H10 for 450 I guess, I heard that's supposed to be stellar but I don't know anything about it.  
An Asgard 2 is 525
Schiit Magni 2 - 200, Magni 2 Uber - 250
Meier Corda Jazz is 650 
Chord Mojo ~700
 
Again thanks for your help!

 

[smy1]

I would like to know to because i am from Korea and still travel there once in awhile.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Darkvoice 336SE tube headphone amplifier ($240)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111988575354?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
 
Might also consider getting a Hifimediy DAC ($42-$70).
http://hifimediy.com/DACs/ready-made-dacs?sort=p.price&order=ASC

 

[xelarok]

@PurpleAngel Thanks for the recommendation, I checked it out and the tech specs on it fit, but there will be a pretty hefty import tax I think.  I can get the dac no problem at the upper end of the price range. 
 
If anyone else has any input that'd be greatly appreciated.  Also, I don't know of any stores in Korea, but if anyone living here knows of places to check out amps, please drop a reply!

Thanks

 

 

[xelarok]

I just noticed the Grace Design x Massdrop m9XX DAC/Amp go on sale at Massdrop again.  Could this be what I am looking for?  Has anyone used this with the K712 Pro's?

 

[Hi-Fi EDU]

I quite enjoyed my m9XX with the K7XX (close relative of the K712Pro, if not identical sounding). It's a really clean, non-harsh, un-affecting DAC/Amp that will present the K712 tone basically as intended. Great pairing if you don't have to spend too much more to get it out to Korea.