I think i am going to pass on these. Carrying an O2 Amp + DAC everywhere i want to hear music does not sound viable to me. I am female and wont bother plugging too many cables just to hear music from my laptop. Gosh, what i was thinking! It's out of my budget. $300 for the headphone + $300 for the DAC and Amp. Clearly the right way to hear these is with proper equipment. I've been using some SR80 since 2004 and only wanted a more comfy,closed headphone that i can keep home or carry with me for casual iPod,Cellphone,Laptop listening, that could work nicely on an airplane too if needed. Just to think i'll have to carry 2 more items... (and the looks of people...)
In all these years i've never had the courage to take those SR80 outside home. I just plugged any cheap earbud instead. I am not fond of the comfort and looks of my Grado's, this is why i wanted to change for something better. But even a $200 K550 might be over the top for me.
Too much forum reading full of guys. My audio necessities aren't complex. $250 max all included to keep a nice pair of headphones on home and to take them when flying. I think i am back to earth !!