Focusrite Scarlett Solo 2nd Gen vs soundcard

[Hoegen]

Hey

I've gotten a set of Philips Fidelio X2 headphones. Great cans, and I appreciate the sound for the pricepoint.
 
However my Asus Phoebus soundcard died, and I'd like to find another good replacement.
 
I want something that will be good for immersive gaming and movies, and very clear sound when listening to music.
 
I am looking at these possibilites:

Creative Sound Blaster Z
Creative Sound Blaster Zx (Some claim that Z and Zx are the same - is this correct?)
Asus Strix Raid Pro
Asus Xonar Phoebus Solo
Asus Strix Soar
Or a USB Focusrite Scarlett Solo 2nd Gen. Heard from several that this is much better than a PCI-E soundcard. Note sure though, given the dangers of noise on USB.
 
Obviously the Soar and Z are most appealing from a budget point of view, but I want a similar quality of audio like I had with my old Phoebus Solo.
 
Any good recommendations of those? I'd like to try something different from the Solo and have heard good things about all of these. The Solo is quite old these days, therefore I figured the other newer posibilities might better. 
 
Thanks  

 

[Dulalala]

The Philips Fidelio X2 are 30 ohms. The Focusrite Scarlett Solo has a output impedance of 10 ohms. I don't recommend you get them if these are your only cans. 

 

[Hoegen]

Thanks for your input. THe X2s are my only can.

Ok the Scarlett Solo is ruled out then.
 
Any other of the suggestions I made that are very good? Would the Creative Z or Strix Soar be a big downgrade from the Phoebus Solo or? 

 

[Dulalala]

Unfortunately I have zero experience and knowledge about soundcards so I can't help you there. You can ask @PurpleAngel. He has a lot more knowledge regarding soundcards than I do.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Thanks for your input. THe X2s are my only can.
Ok the Scarlett Solo is ruled out then.
Any other of the suggestions I made that are very good? Would the Creative Z or Strix Soar be a big downgrade from the Phoebus Solo or? 

 
The SB-Z (& SB-Zx) sound card's headphone output jack has a 22-Ohm impedance.
So technically the Scarlett Solo headphone jack's 10-ohm output impedance is better for the 30-Ohm Philips Fidelio X2.
 
I would say to get an Asus Xonar DX sound card (used, $43)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/322398037802?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
And a FiiO A3 (E11K) headphone amplifier, (new $60).
The A3's headphone jack has a less then 1-Ohm output impedance
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1160529-REG/fiio_a3b_a3_portable_headphone_amplifier_black.html
So you use the Xonar for it's Dolby Headphone and nice CS4398 DAC chip and the A3 to drive the headphones.
And the A3 is something you can use with more then just a computer.

 

[Hoegen]

THanks for the suggestion. I will research that. However this stuff is usually very expensive in Denmark.
 
How about the things I suggested? 

The Z sounds appealing due to price and the fact it has a built in amp. 
 
I was totally content with the Phoebus solo. It was an awesome card, I just want something maybe a bit more modern with a similar quality of sound.
 
Would you say the Scarlett Solo would be decent for driving the X2s?