Some advice/edumacation needed on DACs and soundcards

[cyberspyder]

I need both a DAC and a soundcard in my current computer to power both speakers and headphones, on a budget.

Soundcard wise, I was thinking about the Audiotrak HD2...the opamp rolling sounds attractive. Has anyone put ERS paper on theirs? Does it yield a better sound and less noise from the computer? Anyone done any capacitor upgrades? The HD2 will be used as a lineout to the DAC via the optical out.

I know nothing about DACs, but I know that I want to use it with a speaker amp. Would I get better results just hooking up the amp to the soundcard's RCA lineouts or hooking it up to the DAC? I also want to use the DAC with my cans. Any cheap, but decent recommendations? I also want it aesthetically pleasing, so I'm not looking at the E-MU 0404. Modding is fine, I'm pretty handy with a soldering iron. How's the Zero?

Thanks guys, Brendan

 

[cyberspyder]

How's Travagan's and Firestone audio? I wouldn't mind picking up a DAC with a headphone amp.

 

[blessingx]

And the big question - that budget would be?

 

[cyberspyder]

//facepalm...I thought I put that in somewhere...less than $350 for both soundcard and DAC.

 

[cyberspyder]

Anyone else?

 

[cyberspyder]

Bump.

 

[Oink1]

Just bought one of theese - Using my Gilmore Lite/650's. Top bananna!