[Skycyclepilot]

I just received a pair of Sennheiser HD598 headphones.  Currently, I'm driving them with the amp built into a pair of Yamaha YST-MS50 computer speakers.  The speakers are being fed by a Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium sound card in my PC.  I think I want to ditch the sound card for a DAC/Amp.  In addition to the Sound Blaster card, the motherboard has Realtek ALC889 audio.
 
First, if I get a headphone amp, do I want to drive it off the optical output from either the onboard sound, or the Sound Blaster card, or will I be compromising the quality of sound being fed to the amp?  Or would I get better results with a DAC/Amp fed from USB?
 
In the $100 to $200 range, what setup could anyone recommend?  I would prefer a 1/4" headphone jack, but that's not mandatory.  I do need rear line level outputs to feed to my current speakers, which have a built in amp, of course.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Assuming you have the Titanium (non-HD) and not the Titanium-HD.
You might consider saving a few dollars and just get the Sound Blaster Z sound card.
Comes with a better DAC chip and is better at driving headphones, then the Titanium.
 
Hopefully you disabled the motherboard's on-board audio, before you installed the Titanium card.

 

[Skycyclepilot]

  Assuming you have the Titanium (non-HD) and not the Titanium-HD.
You might consider saving a few dollars and just get the Sound Blaster Z sound card.
Comes with a better DAC chip and is better at driving headphones, then the Titanium.
 
Hopefully you disabled the motherboard's on-board audio, before you installed the Titanium card.

If I went with an internal card, I'd probably go for an Asus Xonar card, but I would prefer to get a dedicated external amp worthy of the HD598 headphones.
 
(Yes, I disabled onboard audio in the BIOS.)

 

[PurpleAngel]

  If I went with an internal card, I'd probably go for an Asus Xonar card, but I would prefer to get a dedicated external amp worthy of the HD598 headphones.
 
(Yes, I disabled on-board audio in the BIOS.)

 
So I guess what would be best for you is an external DAC/amp, with an amplified headphone jack and a separate line-output for the Yamaha YST-MS50 speakers.
 
But I would try to talk you into getting an Asus Xonar Essence STX sound card (used).
Guess that would offer the best value for your budget.

 

[Skycyclepilot]

   
So I guess what would be best for you is an external DAC/amp, with an amplified headphone jack and a separate line-output for the Yamaha YST-MS50 speakers.
 
But I would try to talk you into getting an Asus Xonar Essence STX sound card (used).
Guess that would offer the best value for your budget.

I want to stay with an external setup - more hifi and less computer

 

[PurpleAngel]

  I want to stay with an external setup - more hifi and less computer

 
Ok, the Schiit Magni 2 Uber headphone amplifier comes with both a amplified headphone jack and a separate line-output, $149 new.
here is a used one on eBay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Schiit-Magni-2-Uber-/321959177720?hash=item4af6432df8:g:dXEAAOSwJcZWfwh4
 
Schiit Modi DAC, used on eBay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/321959178386?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

[TranceForLife]

Can i use my VSX-522 receiver headphone input and it would be the same? 

 

[Skycyclepilot]

   
Ok, the Schiit Magni 2 Uber headphone amplifier comes with both a amplified headphone jack and a separate line-output, $149 new.
here is a used one on eBay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Schiit-Magni-2-Uber-/321959177720?hash=item4af6432df8:g:dXEAAOSwJcZWfwh4
 
Schiit Modi DAC, used on eBay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/321959178386?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

OK, thanks!