Creating a new desktop setup but need some help

Hey guys,

I've spent a number of hours on Head-Fi checking out various threads and suggestions and what not but was hoping you all my be able to help me out on a new setup for my desktop computer. I'm a graphic designer by trade and run my own business so for me music is a big part of my day to help keep me going.

I recently upgraded to the Logitech Z623 speaker setup along with a set of Sennheiser RS120 and HD448's. I know these aren't top of the line components and they sound ok so far but I'm looking to give them a little bit of power and some better sound quality.

I have a PC that I built myself that includes a SIIG IC-510012-S2 5.1 Channel PCI SoundWave Card and have the Z623's plugged into this card. The bass response is pretty good but I am missing a lot of the crisp mids and highs. What I was considering doing was purchasing the new FiiO E17 once released but my question is, does that really get me anywhere? I understand it may help my headphones if I plug the E17 into the card then my headphones into the E17, but am I better off taking another route to help increase the sound quality on my speakers and headphones? 

The reason I was leaning towards the E17 was because I can also take the unit in my car with me to use with my iPhone. Does that leave any options for another unit that I can use solely with the speaker setup?

I apologize if this is going around in circles but this is something new to me and want to make sure I do it right the first time. My budget would likely be $300 or less but willing to spend a bit more if its worth it.

Any help would be awesome!!!

Thanks!

Thanks for the reply

Currently I am using the Sennheiser HD448 plugged into the Z623 headphone jack.

I had considered doing the E7/E9 combo by FiiO but was unsure if that would do me any good. Id like to lean more towards a better sound via headphones but also have something portable that I can use in the car as well. I believe the E7 would work for that but also considering the new E17

I mostly just listen to 2.0 music, not really many movies that require 5.1 or 7.1. I'd consider getting a new sound card if that would help. I also checked out the FiiO E10 and would be open to doing that and the E7 or E17 so I can keep things portable if you guys think that would help. Basically open to anything, even outside of FiiO, just looking to you guys for some expertise. Thanks!

Here are the specs on my PC Build:

---Case: Rosewill Destroyer with upgrade to 4 120mm RED LED fans
link:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147144

---Motherboard: ASUS M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 AM3 AMD 880G Sata ATX AMD
link:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131646

---Memory: 12GB G.Skill DDR3 1600 (motherboard maxes out at 16GB)
link:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193

---Graphics Card: EVGA GeForce GT-9800 1Gb 256-bit DDR3 HDMI PCI Express
link:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130534

---CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 625 Propus 2.9GHz Quad Core Processor
link:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103702

---Power Supply: OCz Fatal1ty 550W Modular Gaming Power Supply
link:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022

---Hard Drive: SAMSUNG SpinPoint F3 500GB Internal Hard Drive
link:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

---Sound Card: SIIG 5.2 Channel 16-Bit PCI Interface Soundwave
link:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829270008

Hmm...is there another sound card you would recommend then to use in combination with either a headphone amp or desktop amp/dac?

Is that a bit excessive for what I am trying to achieve? If it is necessary by all means I'm open to it. Like I said I'm looking for advice on how to improve the system as a whole and if this helps then I'll gladly do it.

I would still like to be able to increase the quality in my headphones as well. If I purchase this new sound card, would I still need to pick up something like the FiiO E7 or E17? Is it still necessary? Or can I pick up the E7 and simply use that while in the car?

Any further input would be great

Thanks in advance!

Awesome! I appreciate the help. Looks like I will be picking up the sound card and then debating what to get for the car. 

Am I better off getting the. E11 for the car or wait for the E17?

Thanks again!

Not to drag this thread back to the top but has anyone successfully installed the Asus Xonar card previously mentioned with Windows 7 64-bit?

If so, any troubles? Or would any other recommendations be available?

I was considering this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829271004

Any problems with it? I've read of some issues specifically with the 64-Bit version of WIndows 7 and just wanted to make sure before purchasing