[Hydralisk86]

http://www.cnet.com/products/dell-optiplex-790/specs/

This link as the details for my computer.

I use the audio technica ath-m50x headphones with this computer. i am thinking about getting an amplifier for my headphones, and some speakers for the computer. what is the best amplifier for the headphones i should get? And would $150 speakers sound good on this computer? I didn't add a sound card for speakers i would use for my desktop.  Is it even possible to add a sound card to this computer?

is it true that the audio technica ath-m50x headphones won't really benefit from an amp? I read that on 2 sites. Like i said, i didn't add a sound card to the computer.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Monoprice 5" studio monitors, $170.79
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=115&cp_id=11504&cs_id=1150401&p_id=605500&seq=1&format=2
 
FiiO E10K ($75.99), USB-DAC-head amp, with separate line-output for speakers.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1064785-REG/fiio_e10k_fiio_e10_usb_dac.html
 
Cable (Hosa CMP-153) to connect the FiiO E10K to the studio monitors, $3.79
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/160639-REG/Hosa_Technology_CMP_153_Stereo_Mini_Male_to.html
 
The ATH-M50X should do decently well without a headphone amplifier, but a decent headphone amplifier (E10K) should improve audio quality.

 

[Hydralisk86]

Is an amplifier necessary for the speakers to sound better?  i'm thinking of just using the ath-m50x my themselves, and maybe using the speakers also.  

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Is an amplifier necessary for the speakers to sound better?  I'm thinking of just using the ath-m50x my themselves, and maybe using the speakers also.  

The analog audio signal the E10k sends out it's line-output (to the studio monitors) is not amplified.
The studio monitors come with amplifiers built in (inside the each speaker box).
The headphone amplifier in the E10K is for the ATH-M50X.

 

[Hydralisk86]

  Monoprice 5" studio monitors, $170.79
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=115&cp_id=11504&cs_id=1150401&p_id=605500&seq=1&format=2
 
FiiO E10K ($75.99), USB-DAC-head amp, with separate line-output for speakers.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1064785-REG/fiio_e10k_fiio_e10_usb_dac.html
 
Cable (Hosa CMP-153) to connect the FiiO E10K to the studio monitors, $3.79
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/160639-REG/Hosa_Technology_CMP_153_Stereo_Mini_Male_to.html
 
The ATH-M50X should do decently well without a headphone amplifier, but a decent headphone amplifier (E10K) should improve audio quality.

Wait, i'm confused, are you saying that the m50x should sound fine without a headphone amplifier?  That last sentence sounded off.  My priority is to make my headphones sound nicer.  if i can increase the sound quality on it very well with an amplifier, i will be OK.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Wait, I'm confused, are you saying that the m50x should sound fine without a headphone amplifier?  That last sentence sounded off.  My priority is to make my headphones sound nicer.  if i can increase the sound quality on it very well with an amplifier, i will be OK.

The 38-Ohm ATH-M50X are very easy to drive, I guess the kind of headphones that are bought by people with portable mp3 players.
DAP (Digital Audio Players), which I guess is the more modern description of mp3 like players, usually come with a basic headphone amplifier.
The jack on your computer where you would normally plug in headphones is more like a line-output jack, that also pretends to be a headphone jack.
A "true" headphone amplifier would deliver it's power in a better way to a headphone, then a line-output.
Your ATH-M50X will sound fairly good plugged into anything, and a dedicated headphone amplifier will bring out it's best.
So a headphone amplifier is optional, with the ATH-M50Xs.