[Kipland]

Title says it all. I'm looking into getting some HD 558s that I'll be running on my integrated Realtec ACL898 soundcard. I may be getting a xonar DG in the future. Anyway, will I need to get an amp for these headphones? Thanks in advance for any tips.

 

[Satellite_6]

No, but I would buy a Fiio unit for DAC purposes at least. 

 

[Kipland]

Hmm, a Fiio wouldn't really fit into my budget, is it absolutely necesarry? Or should I just go with the 518s?

 

[jackwess]

I'd wait for the DG. 
They will be fine unamped though. 

 

[sohnx]

The problem is not just amping it's source quality. If you can take the signal out of your computer in digital form and convert it outside (ie a FiiO any headphone will sound better. So the question really is, do you want it to sound better?