1. if you go headphones, I love my old Stax Lambda's ($2-300) with an SET amp (I also have Etymotic Research, but I keep those for plane trips)
2. near-field listening can be great (non-earspeaker) if done correctly. You will probably get poorer bass response than a good set of phones, but it's purely a preference thing. I like the suggestions about older lower power tube equipment, but if the budget doesn't allow it, consider some of the old NAD 3 series electronics with the bookshelf of your choice (I like LS 3/5a knockoffs for nearfield, but again, it's a finance and preference thing).
good luck & happy listening,
2. near-field listening can be great (non-earspeaker) if done correctly. You will probably get poorer bass response than a good set of phones, but it's purely a preference thing. I like the suggestions about older lower power tube equipment, but if the budget doesn't allow it, consider some of the old NAD 3 series electronics with the bookshelf of your choice (I like LS 3/5a knockoffs for nearfield, but again, it's a finance and preference thing).
good luck & happy listening,