[markzi]

Ok, so I just got a pair of Sennheiser HD 598s, and I want to get the best out of them. My budget is around 200$.
I either get :
Fiio E17
Or: 
Xonar Essence STX
(If you know a better soundcard for similar price, I'm open to all suggestions)
I'm using my desktop, which one of these 2 items will give me the best sound?

 

[MattTCG]

I had the exact same question. I think that I asked yesterday, so you could take a look at that thread. I have the Denon d2000's so my situation is a little different from yours. My understanding is the d2000's run fine without amping. Don't know about the 598's. 
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/594737/got-200-asus-xonar-essence-or-dac-amp
 

 

[Head Injury]

Get the Essence STX if you'll make use of its Dolby Headphone stuff. Otherwise, the output impedance will color the sound slightly (increased mid-bass, ~1 dB at 90 Hz) and as such you might want the E17 instead which I expect doesn't have high output impedance.

 

[MattTCG]

Are the E17's available for sale yet?  If so where?

 

[MattTCG]

Can I bump this for my question above?
 
thanks...

 

[markzi]

I don't think the E17s are available yet. However, they should be here soon.