Upgrading my pc's audio ... Needing some advice - Page 2

I'm kinda in your same situation. Only that my options are the D2X, Titanium HD and Essence STX. And when it comes to headphones, I'm looking mainly at the Sony MDR-1R and the AKG K550 (has to be a closed headphone, otherwise my gf is going to annoy me because of sound leakage).

While the ST/STX has a built in amp that is quiet good, it isn't as good for low impedance headphones (HD 598, Audio Technica, MDR-1R and so on). The same goes for the Titanium HD. Now, from my research it seems that it would be better to get a D2X (very good dac) and combine it with an external amp like the Schiit Magni. Low impedance headphones will sound better than on the ST/STX/Titanium HD and seen that you can get the D2X for a very good price, it should fit your $ 150 budget....and that is including the Magni.

That is, because the output impedance should be 1/8 of the impedance of your headphone. The Titanium HD has 32 ohms and the STX is 10 ohms of ouput impedance. The Magni on the other hand has an output of 0.1 ohms.

But didn't you write you had a budget of $150 and that you can get the D2X for cheap? The Magni costs $99

What do you find lacking with the aurvana live? I've owned the 598's and found them to lack bass. It's there, it just has no punch.

Have you looked at Beyerdynamic? They have some open headphones at the same price point of the Senns. If you live near a Guitar Center you can try them out. 

did you made a decision on the DAC+Amp.? if not what is your new budget.?

I currently have the X-Fi Titanium HD feeding into a Schiit Magni. For music and games it sounds great (I don't watch movies on my PC so I can't speak for that media). I know you aren't doing much gaming, but for gaming this card is superb (I'm not a competitive gamer by any means, I just enjoy the added immersion). Before putting the amp into my setup I was plugging my headphones directly into the sound card and it still sounded great. The sound card can easily drive low impedance cans to reasonable levels. I know somebody brought up the issue earlier regarding the impedance of the sound card headphone out being inadequate for low impedance phones but you claimed you aren't an "audiophile" and I don't think you will notice much (if any) of a difference. I found plugging headphones directly into the card to be a very satisfying experience.

I don't have any experience with the headphones in question so I can't comment on that aspect. I hope this helps some and let me know if I can comment on anything else regarding this topic for you.
 

No ,, Not Available At My Country >>> If U Tried Any Tell What U Think Of Them ..