After lurking this thread for a while, I wound up nabbing a pair of HA-SZ1000s, FIIO e12, and a set of HM5 pads based on everyone's suggestions.
I originally got the e07k but I didn't think it was a worthwhile purchase since I have a Sound Blaster Z, so wound up returning it and grabbing the e12 instead. I did a couple hours worth of comparison between the two (Sound Blaster Z and e07k), and would give it to the Sound Blaster Z, bareeeely edging it out in sound and amp. Keep in mind though, I don't think I'm nearly as qualified as you guys when it comes to comparisons, but I think that info might be useful to some. The e12 completely satisfied me, though.
On a side note, I use to own a pair of xb500s but they wound up breaking, so I took the pads off and jury rigged them onto my Grado sr60s... and those pads alone boosted the sr60's bass hardcore, even enough to shake my head. Not at the level of the xb500's bass but not toooo far off either, on top of the Grado's great sound. I haven't listened to the sr60s without that pad mod in a while, but I do recall the sound stage and mids suffering a little bit from jury rigging those pads on. I tried the e12 with bast boost and it made my sr60 + xb500 pads bass sound AMAZING. Unfortunately... it also made the right speaker go out... so now I plan to do some mod/fixes to it in the future to fix it.
Anyways, I'm getting off topic. My pair of SZ1000s JUST came this morning, and just had to do a quick sound test with the amp + SZ1000s before leaving for work (didn't install the pads yet), and the bass sounded amazing, I can't imagine what the bass on the SZ2000s sound like. I did a quick test with the track Bugg'n by TNGHT (
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiWp7_TSs38) and I have to say... 100% satisfied. If you guys don't know that track, I would highly recommend checking that track out, great low end thumping bass.
Long story short, thanks everyone on this thread for allowing this guy to rediscover another level of sound and music, yet again.