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[syndromeofadown]

Long story short, my stereo is in a storage unit 3000km away.
I'm not going to get it anytime soon and even if i did, my current  
home isn't really appropriate for a stereo of its size.
 
I am in the market for headphones and a headphone amp/DAC that can act as  
a replacement for my stereo for foreseeable future.
 
The DAC/amp i am interested in, is the NuForce Icon HDP for $450
http://www.nuforce.com/hp/products/iconhdp/index.php
 
The headphones i am interested in, are the Ultrasone HFI-780 for $250
http://www.amazon.com/Ultrasone-HFI-780-Surround-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00101XVH2
 
I mostly listen to FLAC but still have a significant amount of mp3s at various bitrates.
I suspect that this setup will butcher the mp3s.
 
I am looking for readily available equipment unlike a lot of DACs that have to be ordered
directly from the manufacturer in china after being on a waiting list.
I live in a fairly isolated location so my only option is to order equipment  
from the Internet without trying it first. Thus creating my need for advice on the following:
 
-Any warnings or praise for my proposed equipment.
 
-Any thoughts about listening to mp3s with my proposed equipment.
 
-A decent setup for listening to mp3s if not this one.
 If there is a decent alternative i would buy it in addition to  
 the above equipment, not as a replacement.
 
-Any better alternatives in a similar price range(under $1000).
 
Thanks

[Matt]

This is purely my own personal opinion, but I'd recommend taking a look at Sennheiser HD 580/600/650 headphones with a budget like that. 

I find headphones that push on my ears or don't let outside air in fatiguing.  I haven't used the Ultrasones, but from a picture of them, I can't see how they would breathe too much.

Headphones are a personal thing, so trying them for yourself would be best.  Just be careful that you don't buy a set because they're louder (which will make them sound more impressive).  You can always turn headphones up, so you want to shop for comfort, clarity, and frequency response at equivalent volumes.

[nwboater]

Don't use cans so can't help there. I have been using an EMU-0404USB Dac for a little over a year and am very pleased with it. One incredible bargain! There is a massive thread, something about "on a beer budget" on Computer Audiophile. Also many threads on HeadFi Forum.

It has a headphone amp built in. Also does 192/24 over USB since they wrote their own drivers. Sounds wonderful with JRiver on our Klipschorns. And they are not very forgiving speakers!

Good luck.

Rod

[)p(]

Headphones are very personal they have to both sound and fit just right to your ears. I would suggest to test a few before you buy. I personally love my akg k701. To me they sound very natural and neutral and I can listen to them for hours...

peter

[glynor]

This is purely my own personal opinion, but I'd recommend taking a look at Sennheiser HD 580/600/650 headphones with a budget like that. 

I agree with Matt completely on the whole thing, but I also like the Senns.  When testing, for an alternative maybe check out the equivalently priced Grados.  IMO the Grados color the sound a bit brighter, but a lot of people like them a lot (I like my pair of SR60s, but I like my Senn 580s better).  I also don't like the Grado's ear-pieces as much, but you do get used to them after a while.

[drewh111]

I second the opinion on the Emu 0404 - nice DAC, I have found the sound from the headphone jack to be OK, although I normally used the balanced outs through speakers. I have compared this to a number of "audiophile" DACS and find it stands up well regardless of the price.

[HiFiTubes]

Also look into the Maverick D1, Matrix Mini (very nice for the price), and even the Musiland 01.

EMU makes nice stuff too.