I just ordered this from Newegg, I wanted the ability to swap the op-amp. I've also read however that one won't really be able to tell on this soundcard since it doesn't have a built in amp for the headphones. I'm unsure what to think. Can anyone recommend an inline amp, does such a thing exist?

Also I ordered LME49720NA to replace the original with, do you think it will be an improvement?

I was reading another post from 2011 where MadMax mentions:

I find LME49720/49710 plasticky and artificial to death. Some people do not, and you might be one of those. In case you end up not liking it, you should also order LT1364CN8 and LT1028ACN8 (this one is mono, so you will need a 2x1 adapter) samples from Linear Tech and TLE2082ACP samples from Texas Instruments, so you have options and you can fall back to 2082 if you end up not liking any of them.

HA3-2525-5 can be had as samples from Intersil, also requires a 2x1 adapter like LT1028. No soldering required for any of these.

The best opamps these days come in SOIC form, which is smaller than the DIP8 opamps I am recommending to you and need to be soldered to soic-to-dip adapters in order for them to fit in dip sockets.

If you can somehow acquire these on adapters, I highly recommend them: ADA4627-1 (there's the neutral B grade and the warmer A grade, both fantastic), OPA827, OPA1611, AD8597, EL2228 (this one is a dual, unlike the others in this list), and ADA4841-1.

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The things I'm confused about are when he mentions ADA4627-1, I can't find any mention of A or B grades so what's he meaning? And then he lists abunch of others near the end but I've no idea why since he said he highly recommends ADA4627-1, are the others the same thing only different configs? Anyway what do you all think?

One other thing, I ordered LME49720NA but they do have the LME49720HA and I read the roundness gives it better interference protection or whatever you call it. Since it's not 8 pin I didn't get it, what do you think of getting some rounded and already soldiered? Any links would be useful + I still don't understand the sizing, what is the standard size for opamps?

Op amps on most sound cards with replaceable op amps are all 8 dip. the difference between the NA's and HA's are that you need an adapter to plug them in as they are round and will not fit. as for buying pre made ones your going by the seller word that the product is a working product. the advantage from what i read and understand is that there is better shielding on the HA's Vs. NA's.
As for picking them its all about different sound signatures that they produce and its all in listeners tastes.

Has anyone tried the OPA2107AP? These are my favorite op amps and I use them in several different amps. I just ordered an Asus DSX so ill update when I try the 2107 in it!