Looking for headphones, any suggestions?


As i will soon be going to college i think a good headphone system might be in order. My budget is in the $700 range for a headphones/amp combo. I listen to any type of music,from classical to jazz to rock and heavy metal. I've looked at antique sound lab's HB1 or MG DT OTL MKII for the amp (i like the idea of getting some tubes, and a headphone amp is the cheap way to do it), and senheiser 650/600's or AKG K701's for the headphones themselves. I'm open to any and all suggestions however, I could even go for a solid state amp if there's just an amazing one out there, but tubes jsut seem cooler (talk about a subjective term...) Thanks in advance for the help,
-Dan-
dk89
Off topic, but a suggestion for a person under 20 who still has great hearing (I'm a dad and I'm 43 but my audiophilia had taken firm root at your age--Also, I apologize if this sounds like a lecture): Whatever you buy, do not listen for long periods (>15 minutes at a time) at high volumes(significantly louder than talking level). Look through some of the tinnitus threads on this site if you need to be convinced. You won't go deaf, but you could end up with lessened high frequency hearing, and needlessly so. Tinnitus can be an annoyance if it's persistent. Also, closed back headphones make it easier to damage your hearing. (Sorry to be such a geezer-nerd, but I couldn't resist, since you seem like a smart kid, based on what choices you've listed.)
i kept calling the ras amp the xr-7 but it is really thr xp-7. its hard bein an old guy...
If you can stretch the AKG K1000 is in another league by itself, very amazing, but it will need rewire and a pricey amp. You will get world class sound with all this though.

I prefer the Senn 600/cardas cable to the Senn 650 which has more bass coloration and is darker sounding.

Or Grado RS-1 which I prefer over any Senn.
Mdhoover. You bring up a very good point. I use a radio shack decibal meter and a peice of board agains the phones to make sure they are under 80db's. Just to be safe. It may seem anal, but when I'm 60 I will be able to hear quality music still.
Robm321,
That's a good idea with the decibel meter that I hadn't thought of. Smart, imo.