So I have been reading through this thread deciding on if I should got with an Xonar STX or Creative Sound Blaster Recon3D Fatal1ty Champion. Well it looks like the creative card is $100 off on newegg right now which comes to $99 but currently sold out. I was going to try a local Fry's to see if...

So how do I tell if a sound card has a built in amp or not? I was looking at going a cheaper route and picking up http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102043 instead of the Xonar STX if that card I linked can drive a pair of q701. Or would this be a bad idea?

Quote: Awesome thanks for the info. The Mixamp I am assuming basically mimics the virtual surround sound for console games? Would there be any benefit of me getting the Xonar STX over the Xonar DX?

Yeah this is a windows PC. Thanks for the suggestion I am going to start reading up right now.   So if I ordered something like the Asus Xonar DX 7.1 and plugged my mixamp into it then headphones into my amp it would work correct? I would be able to get Dolby Headphone virtual surround?

Noobie question. I am completely lost when it comes to audio. I just ditched my Astro A40s and mixamp to my brother and bought a pair of Q701. Now I am planning to buy a sound card maybe the xonar stx? Not sure where to start with them is there a cheaper option? Also will it be enough to drive...

Quote: That is an even better idea. No really, I am gonna buy the Essence STX instead of buying the Xonar DG and then upgrading a month later. Thanks. Newegg currently has it on sale for $169 I'll have to take a look around and see if I can find a decent price on a used one. If not I will...

Mad Lust sent me over here saying I would be able to get a better answer out of either Nameless or anyone that has knowledge of PC and sound. My dilemma I use to game on consoles I sold them all off just built a brand new gaming PC and am stuck with a pair of Astro A40s and a Mixamp. The A40s...

Quote: Yeah it is hooked up via toslink optical cable to my computers onboard sound. Would I need a soundcard to get the full range out of the q701s? I will keep the mixamp but the A40 have got to go.

Yeah I have this years A40s so the 2012 model. Alright thanks I am going to look into the Q701s and try them out before I buy I'll either sell off these A40s or give them to my brother.

Soo I just recently made a forum account I have been lurking the forums for a couple days now reading reviews and this thread. I am currently in search of a good pair of headphones for gaming. I just recently built a brand new PC. I posted a thread here...

Yeah the the TB were pretty terrible I have a pair of A40s with the mixamp but I think those will go to my brother when I pick up a real pair of headphones.  

Quote: AKG Q701 was also one of the headphones I have been reading countless reviews on also

So let me start out by saying I've been lurking the forums for the past few days reading as much as I can on reviews about different headphones and ones that are better for gaming and ones that aren't. Even read all of Mad Lust Envy's reviews. I finally decided to register on the forums and ask...