Hey eveveryone!
 
Im planning to get a DT 770/ATH-A900X, OR the HD 600/DT 990 (feel free to offer suggestions).
 
Anyway, the purpose of buying these headphones is for gaming only. I will only use these for my PC, on programs such as Skype, mumble, and the actual video games I play. I am planning to use Dolby surround sound, as I play games like CSGO and BF3. (Side note, is it needed).  
 
So yeah, back to the actual topic. I was looking to get the Xonar STX, but also others suggested the Schiit stack (magni/modi).
 
Someone brought up on how I should get both, but that doesn't make sense to me...
 
If someone could clarify that would be sweet!
 
Thanks in advance!

The soundcard handles the surround sound emulation for headphones. You can send this signal straight to your headphones or add an amp, a DAC, or both to the chain after your soundcard. In general, a dedicated amp or dac is going to perform a bit better than one built into a soundcard. But not always.

Forget the Audio Technica and other low impedance headphones if you are going to get the Xonar STX.

plexon said:

  Hey everyone!
 
I'm planning to get a DT 770/ATH-A900X, OR the HD 600/DT 990 (feel free to offer suggestions).
Anyway, the purpose of buying these headphones is for gaming only. I will only use these for my PC, on programs such as Skype, mumble, and the actual video games I play. I am planning to use Dolby surround sound, as I play games like CSGO and BF3. (Side note, is it needed).  
So yeah, back to the actual topic. I was looking to get the Xonar STX, but also others suggested the Schiit stack (magni/modi).
Someone brought up on how I should get both, but that doesn't make sense to me...
If someone could clarify that would be sweet!

Click to expand...

 
Buying the Essence STX and a Schiit stack (Modi/Magni) would be buy two different things that offer a lot of the same features, so wast of cash.
You can get the Schiit stack and an Asus Xonar DG ($27) or DGX ($37) sound card.
You would get the optical input Modi an connect it to the DG/DGX optical port.
So the DG/DGX handles Dolby Headphone surround sound and the Schiit stack provide great audio quality (for music, movies and gaming).
You would
In the future you can always swap out the DG/DGX for a Sound Blaster Z (OEM), if you wanted to try out SBX or EAX headphone surround sound.

Ok, thanks so much for the help purple.
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Creative-Sound-Blaster-Z-SBX-PCIE-Gaming-Sound-Card-Beamforming-Mic-SB1500-/360869943118?pt=US_Sound_Cards_Internal_&hash=item540586574e
 
^ I can get a refurbised Z for 60 bucks, and the magni/modi combo for the regular 200 dollar price. Would connecting the schiit stack + Z use the same as what you said for the DG (Optical input modi)?
 
So I would connect headphones to Magni > Modi > PC Sound card (SB Z)?

plexon said:

  Ok, thanks so much for the help purple.
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Creative-Sound-Blaster-Z-SBX-PCIE-Gaming-Sound-Card-Beamforming-Mic-SB1500-/360869943118?pt=US_Sound_Cards_Internal_&hash=item540586574e
 
^ I can get a refurbised Z for 60 bucks, and the Magni/Modi combo for the regular 200 dollar price. Would connecting the Schiit stack + Z use the same as what you said for the DG (Optical input Modi)?
 
So I would connect headphones to Magni > Modi > PC Sound card (SB Z)?

Click to expand...

 
Yep, you would connect the Modi (optical) DAC to whatever sound card you get, to the card's optical port (about 99% of all sound cards come with an optical port).