[Killaspike]

I just bought a penguinamp and a set of ath a700's and I have a creative x-fi extremegamer.

Do I really need to buy a DAC or can I just run a cord from my sound card to my amp to my headphones?

My x-fi has always had good sound with my triports, does an external DAC really outdo a soundcard?

 

[tru\head]

it's subjective.

hook it up and decide if it sounds good to you. given your setup, the x-fi isn't bad so i think that is the best idea.

 

[krmathis]

You need a DAC.
Your Creative sound card have a built in DAC, so you already use one..

 

[Luminette]

I'd say you're fine with the x-fi among the rest of your setup