Think outside of the box.   If you have a good quality source then buy an Azuntech Forte 7.1 soundcard for its headphone amp only. Use it with the external source in line-in mode and it will drive your K701 effortlessly and the sound quality will largely depend on your source.   for $50...

I'm VERY happy with Azuntech forte.   it has digital in, analogue in with ASIO support which means I can use it like a headphone amp with my CD-player as a source.   i hate its creative bloatware software bundle but i can live with that.   for $60 great value for money.

AKG 701 is the best headphone ever made. no headphone plays music like K701 does where one feels a rush of emotions with the perfect k701 presentation. :)

Quote: thanks.   btw should I install the default drivers or there is an alternative? also any tips? thanks.

I got the Auzenteck forte 7.1 but the outside of its box there is no mention of the headphone amp? is this normal or i got the wrong version? I have not openned it yet because if i did i cannot return it back.

Quote: That is correct in case I use the optical out from my CD-Player, but if I use the analogue out from CD-player?

Quote:   My CD player is great as source so I want to use the soundcard for its headphone amp.

I have a JVC HARX700 connected to a cheap Apex four channel headphone amp, the amp is connected to a Sony CE545 CD-Player.   I'm listening and I can't help but go WOW!   I know the CD player and its very good, the amp is useless but the star is the $40 HARX700. And this headphone had...

Here is a question guys:   Can I use an external CD-player as source and forte like a headphone amp by connecting the Cd-player to the forte?   The CD-player has an optical out as well.

Quote: Thanks.     Waiting for more opinions?

forte is the best option in <$100 range?

Is this software better than foobar?   I want to try it with 10.6.8 that I have on my PC using virtualbox.

Hello everyone,   I cannot afford a Xonar STX/ST so what are my other options? I was looking at Auzentech X-Fi Forte 7.1 Low, which I can get for $60.   My budget is $100, I have a JVC HAX700, I play games and every now and then I want quality music, once I have enough funds I'll get...