Which DAC/Soundcard + Headphone AMP to get

[TuN]

Hi. I'm new to the forums, but I saw a lot of responses on the forums, and decided to ask you guys, because I'm a bit lost, and you guys apparently know a lot about this stuff.

I'm using Logitech z-5500 ( predecessor of Z906 ), and now also a Beyerdynamic DT 990 250 Ohm.

I was using a Asus Xonar DX with Uni Xonar drivers + XonarSwitch ( to switch between speakers and headphones with a hotkey )

My Xonar DX rear output died, so I had to replace it ( using analog ), and since I got 250 Ohm headphones for gaming and some music while I'm away, I've decided for Creative SoundBlaster X3.
Well, I'm very disappointed by the lack of features and the sheer implementation of them. It feels a lot more like a downgrade than an upgrade ( even though it was almost double the price of Xonar DX ). I can explain the issues if someone is interested.

So I want to buy something else.
What I need is:
- Per speaker calibration
- Seamless switching between Speakers and Headphones
- Obviously a 250 Ohm AMP for the DT 990
- Most likely separated outputs for speakers and headphones, so I can switch easily between the two with AutoHotkey or something similar

I got the DT 990 mostly for the bass, and I'm quite surprised on how little bass there is. Not sure if the problem is in the soundcard, or I just got spoiled by the amount of bass on my half the price HyperX Cloud. The DT 990s are also pretty quiet, even at 100% volume and with a High-gain in soundcard settings ( they're supposed to drive up to 600 Ohm.. ).

This doesn't have to be one device at all. Optimally I can buy an internal or external soundcard for my 5.1 setup, and a separate headphone AMP, which I can carry along when I'm abroad to power my DT 990s.

My budget is up to 300€ / 350$

Thanks a lot in advance

 

[twsecrest]

I think just running optical from the Xonar DX (enable DDL), to the Z5500 and just connect the DT990s to the Z500's headphone jack, would have been a cheap fix.
Those HyperX Cloud headsets really offer good audio quality, for it's price.
The regular headphone version is sold under about 6 different brand names.

When you say the DT990 has little bass, is that when they are plugged into the Xonar DX or the Soundblaster X3?

 

[TuN]

Well the DT 990s are too quiet on the current Soundblaster X3 with supposedly 600 Ohm amp, and Xonar DX doesn't have a headphone amp, so it'll be even quieter.

I haven't tried the DT 990s with Xonar DX yet, because I've unplugged the Xonar when the new soundcard arrived.

 

[twsecrest]

By portable headphone amplifier, battery powered or AC powered?
What audio sources would the portable amp be plugged into?

 

[Rayman30]

The Atom Stack (DAC+Amp) would offer a very transparent DAC, a competent headphone amp and the amp has an input button that allows switching between speakers and headphones. I use one on my bar, very good performance for the money, about $230 for the stack.