Looking to buy a set of new cans and an inline (9-volt?) amp

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

Shopping for some new cans and I have no idea if anyone has put out a set that will out preform the $500-700 Sennheiser can models. I'd love to get your feedback.....my job has me flying out twice a month now and Im sick and tired of my Shure earbuds (which hurt like crazy after about an hour).

I also want quality sound from the cans and am considering an inline amp as well for the long flights. I remember years ago someone recommending an inline custom made 9-volt amp but I can't remember the website....any other recommendations out there? Any commercial products available versus having custom work done?

Looking for any feedback to either or both is much appreciated.

Budget: 500-700 for the cans and up to another $200ish for the amp.

Thanks!

 

[bikemig]

Headroom has some good info on travel headphones, http://www.headphone.com/selection-guide/travel.php. No surprise, all the choices involve some trade-offs esp. if you want noise cancelling cans. Insofar as amps are concerned, if your cans are easy to drive an ipod (or a laptop) will drive your cans without any problem. Fiio makes a number of well regarded products you might want to consider, like this one http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E11-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B0053KWDES/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316955246&sr=1-1. I'm in the market for a new pair of travel cans as well and I'm leaning strongly towards the Audio Technica ATH M50. They're not noise cancelling but they are closed. Nova Musik has a good selection and usu. has pretty good prices as well, http://www.novamusik.com/search.aspx?type=Model&keyword=6769&mid=231&lbs=2.

If you are looking for something seriously high end, there are some portable dac/headphone amps out there. Just remember, garbage in, garbage out. If you don't have your music ripped to a high quality (like flac or alac), you're better off sticking to inexpensive travel headphones (which can be surprisingly good) like these new Beyers, http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-DTX-Portable-Stereo-Headphone/dp/B004VPW3OG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316956058&sr=8-1.

Edit: headroom is a good source of info as I mentioned. You could also post your question on head fi where you will gets lots of advice (and I do mean lots) on how to spend a budget of $700 to $900.