Thanks for all your help.   I haven't been able to find a vendor for the Schiit Magni, even though that seems like what I'm after. I guess if the Xonar DG doesn't work, I'll just grab an E09k for ~$130.

The Fiio E10 looks like what I'm after, just a simple device with a volume knob and headphone port... but won't it bypass my soundcard? I want to use an amp without losing the EQ and Dolby Headphone options from my soundcard.

Thanks for the response!   Do you know of any amps in particular that will fit my need? I've found some great deals on the DT 990s themselves, so now the amp is all I've got left to worry about!

Oh! And I was also wondering how the Creative Aurvana Live! headphones compare to the DT 990s, as they're also recommended by MadLustEnvy's gaming guide yet don't seem like they'd require the extra amping, plus they're half the price.   Thanks again!

Hello!   I currently own a pair of Astro A30s which I use with an Asus XONAR DG soundcard for games, movies and music. I've decided at last to upgrade my headphones to at least a newby-audiophile standard, and think that the Beyer DT 990s would serve me well.   I'll probably be getting...