You are hardcore when it comes to things you like. That is one serious pair of headphones. I auditioned some higher grade Grados when I bought mine and settled on a price/benefit ratio I could justify to the family (not that anyone asked). I'll do some research on that amp. Do you listen to mostly Vinyl or digital? My shop has all my stereo gear now (3 amps a computer and firewire sound card)
you are right, i had a pair of senheissers and i moved to grado because i was able to made an audition at the adelphi, a paradise for audiophilia at the other end of the world, i made my choice after listening to the pergolessi stabat mater with three different grados, undoubtedly i went for the top
(funny enough the price those days was the same in USD than in EURO, i mean the same figure, just crazy, so i bought them there in singapore dollars taking advantage of a nice discount)
this amp is a pretty, little but very well balanced thing, being a valve amp, it provides me with the apropriate warmth when listening to mostly digitally recorded music
i have a very minimalistic cd player and a DAC, both from NSD
no futile investment in aesthetics or lights, simply good quality components
this way i got a high end headphone oriented setup for half the price of an equivalent complete system
as i do not have time and a dedicated place for such a system, a good armchair in a corner at night does pretty well
i strongly reccomment the mentioned amp