[Headphonez]

 
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Hey guys, i'm in need for a good sound card for my computer. I've searched on the site but not many threads helped me out. A couple of threads did mention the Emu0404 and a couple of other threads mentioned something about firewire audio cards (I have no idea what firewire is). I just need a good quality sound card that can provide me with a good source with a good, crisp sound. I am no way a professional recorder or mixer, and I don't know anything about the technical details of sound cards.  I'm just a casual music listener who wants to hear quality music. So any suggestions Head-fi? Oh, and a sound card under 200$ would be the best for me, but I can raise the budget if I really need to. 
And also, I need a good amp to go with this sound card. Currently I have a CMoy amp, but its just not cutting it with my Sennheiser HD-555s. 
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[I3eyond]

DAC (think of it as an external sound card connected via USB): Music Fidelity V-DAC
 
http://www.amazon.com/Musical-Fidelity-Upsampling-Digital-Converter/dp/B001P6FO5E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1292040200&sr=8-1
 
Amp: Matrix M-Stage
 
 
 http://coolfungadget.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=54

 

[cyong11]

I recommend Creative Titanium HD. Its price is well under your budget($150 at Amazon.com) and it sounds great.
 
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/10/25/sound_blaster_xfi_titanium_hd_card_review/

 

[Thetwinmeister]

I highly recommend the HT Omega Claro Plus. ($175)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829271003
 
It's basically HT Omega's $200 flagship card without the built in amp. I have the little brother of this card and am highly pleased with every aspect.
 
Not directing this at anyone, but I would stay far, far away from any of Creative's cards. Creative's 20K2 PCI Express audio processor, on the other hand, is a fine chip in and of itself. If you're looking for more of a gaming soundcard, and/or you want a soundcard that supports Creative's audio suite-- including Creative's 24bit crystallizer-- I would go with the Auzentech X-Fi Forte 7.1 which is built on Creative's 20K2 chip. (This card is currently on backorder, however.)
(Edit: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/527737/auzentech-forte-stock-incoming)
 
Alternatively I would recommend 1 of 2 soundcards that have a built-in amp, the HT Omega Claro Halo, ($200)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829271004
 
Or the ASUS Xonar Essence STX ($188-$200)
http://www.amazon.com/Essence-STX-Channels-Interface-Headphone/dp/B001OV789U
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132010
 
I haven't heard either of these cards, but from what I've read about them they're both rather "perfect"
(But you'd still probably do better with the $175 Claro Plus and an outboard amp)