Headphones and amp questions


I am contemplating getting a set of headphones and headphone amp, again.

In the past when I considered this, the Senn 600's and the Grado RS-2's seem to be the leaders in my research, as well as some AKG's.

First question, the Senn's are open back and can be easily heard by others from what I have read, is this true? Are the Grado's quieter than the Senn's in this respect?

I don't know anything about headphome amps, I was thinking about the Musical Fidelity X-can, is this a good choice?

Will it hinder the music much if I get a long extension for the headphones? I would like to sit, comfortably, a good 14ish feet away.

Any and all opinions will be appreciated.
brianmgrarcom
You should search some of the comments on www.head-fi.org. I am using a Headroom MOHR, Theta Cobalt, CD-3400, Etymotic ER-4S or HD-600 (best of both). I used to use Grado 325's, but now choose the 600's with the Red Jaspis cable. BTW that system for around $1500 invested is a great value, good luck.
Like Sd above, the Senn. 600s are the best 'phones I've heard too.

In my above post, I should have mentioned that the Headroom Supreme amp makes an excellent headphone amp for home use too-- as well as for travel. Great versatility, and it's small. Good Luck. Craig
In my previous post, I should have also have stated that the Sennheiser HD600's can be purchased new for $300 (I think that was the price quoted in a recent ad by Headroom). Given their excellent sound quality, that makes the HD600's a real bargain as well.
I second Thorty40 on the Berning MicroZOTL for the headphone amp. It is superb.
Actually, you can do as I did and buy new from a poster here on Agon for about $240.00. They came thru just fine and I'm very happy with them. My other recent phones were Stax Lambda Pro Jr.