[uaciaut]

1. Somewhat cheaper DAC, better headphones:

DAC options:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/fostex-hp-a3
http://www.head-fi.org/products/audioquest-dragonfly-red
http://www.head-fi.org/products/audioengine-d1-premium-24-bit-dac
or even lower price range:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/fiio-e10k-usb-dac-and-headphone-amplifier
http://www.head-fi.org/products/dacmagic-xs-usb-dac-headphone-amp
http://www.head-fi.org/products/nuforce-icon-udac-3-high-resolution-usb-digital-audio-converter-dac-silver
 
Headphones:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/sennheiser-hd-600
pretty much the only real option i want here
 
or
2. Somewhat more expensive DAC now and lower budget headphones(with the possibility of getting the HD600's next year)
 
DAC options:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/fostex-hp-a4-32-bit-multi-format-audio-converter-d-a-and-premium-headphone-amplifier
http://www.head-fi.org/products/denon-da-10-portable-headphone-amplifier-with-d-a-converter-2hz-50khz-frequency-response-advanced-al-32-processing-analogue-input-output
http://www.head-fi.org/products/cambridge-audio-azur-dacmagic-plus
 
Headphones:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/shure-srh840
http://www.head-fi.org/products/audio-technica-ath-m50x
http://www.head-fi.org/products/beyerdynamic-dt-770-pro-closed-studio-headphones-250-ohms
http://www.head-fi.org/products/beyerdynamic-dt990-250-ohm
http://www.head-fi.org/products/akg-k-702-headphones
 
Thanks in advance for your time and help.

 

[PurpleAngel]

What is your over all budget for headphones and DAC?

 

[uaciaut]

  What is your over all budget for headphones and DAC?

Around 400 euro i think. I'm purchasing from Eastern Europe so the selection is limited to about everything i've listed though. (i have access to some Fiio products too i guess).

 

[PurpleAngel]

 
Around 400 euro i think. I'm purchasing from Eastern Europe so the selection is limited to about everything I've listed though. (i have access to some FiiO products too i guess).

 
Where in Eastern Europe are you located?
What is the price of the HD600?
Any chance you have access to the Bravo Ocean tube (hybrid) headphone amplifier?

 

[uaciaut]

   
Where in Eastern Europe are you located?
What is the price of the HD600?
Any chance you have access to the Bravo Ocean tube (hybrid) headphone amplifier?

Romania, around 260 euro and no.

I appreciate the interest but i'd rather just go with something from what i've listed, if you really can't find anything you'd recommend from that list no worries.

 

[uaciaut]

Is no one else willing to help a lost, lost soul?

 

[JoHit]

The HD600 is a great pair of headphones. You'll get the most bang for the buck out of them by getting a DAC/Amp that isn't bus (usb) powered however. With that being said I would go with combo 1. Get the 600s with a D1 or Hp-a3.

I don't have any experience with either product, but both are reputable brands. Maybe someone else can chime in here.

The only DAC I've used on your lists is the Cambridge Dacmagic. I liked it. It was warm and a little laid back sounding from what I remember. Good quality though; sold it for an upgrade, not because I didn't like it.