[dumbttt]

My very cheap music set up goes like the following: 
 
PC --> optical out --> old home theater receiver --> AKG 240 Mk II 
 
This sounded okay until I hooked up my new super cheap Sony earbuds to the home theater receiver and found they sound better than the AKG.  Below is the link to the earbuds I was talking about ($15): 
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDREX58V-BLK-Series-Headphones/dp/B004RE3YU8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1398009680&sr=8-2&keywords=sony+earbuds
 
I think this must be because my setup isn't providing enough power to the AKG??? I am thinking about getting one of the following to beef up my setup:
 
Fiio E6 ($30)
http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E6-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B005HJWWW8/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1398010211&sr=1-1&keywords=fiio
or the Fiio E07K DAC/Amp ($90)
http://www.amazon.com/Fiio-E07K-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00A9LHLQ6/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1398009129&sr=1-4&keywords=fiio
or the Asus Xonar DG 5.1 ($30)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132020
or the Asus Xonar DX 7.1 ($90) 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132006
 
Which one of the above will be most helpful?  I am leaning toward the Xonar DG, it seems like a cheap and reasonable option for my PC set up.  

 

[Aldem]

I personally use the ASUS Xonar Essence STX I with my Sennheisers HD650. These cans got an impedance of 300 Ohms, and the card can drive headphones up to 600 Ohms.
 
I invite you to check the specs. 
 
http://www.asus.com/ca-en/Sound_Cards_and_DigitaltoAnalog_Converters/Xonar_Essence_STX/

 

[dumbttt]

Thanks for sharing.  Yours looks like a nice sound card, it's outside my budget though.  

 

[Boochie]

I also have the Xonar Essence and I can tell you it is one beast of a soundcard but I used the Xonar DG soundcard prior to now and was very happy with it.  I would recommend it.