Drew, if you can justify the cost somehow, get some RS1's and the amp. That's what I have and along with my Etymotic ER4's with Headroom amp, they are 1 and 2 of the best headphones I've had. Even through an iPod and the headphone amp, the sound is incredible. The sound stage is center front of stage for many recordings. So many veils removed from the sound. Makes even Sennheisers sound veiled. Of course it only applies if you're an audiophile of some type. If an ipod with cheap headphones makes you happy, then that's cool, but if you're at home relaxing or hey if you're at home working nobody can see you...
Yes, they look nice off but when you're wearing them you don't look cool that's for sure. But I see all these ding dong's walking around with those Dre headphones that blow chunks but look cool and the first pro athlete I see rocking a pair of Grados will be my new favorite ...lol.
I had a problem with my RS1's a couple years ago and their policy is, we'll fix them for $100, no matter what's wrong, within reason (out of warranty). So big or small repair, that's how they roll. I'm expecting something similar for my amp. I may be able to fix it, as all that happened was a wire came loose from the 9V batter clip connector. Tried preliminary fix, but it was still not working right, got very low volume distorted sound so I'm afraid it may have shorted. We'll see.
It's not that these things are maintenance prone like an old Jag, I have had these since like 1998.