Best sound card for £200 or so

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1

I'm looking for a sound card at around £200, higher priced suggestions still viable. Must support 5.1 surround sound and preferably also a headphone amp / thing to improve my already great 7H's sound quality. But only if there would be an improvement over my 7H's sound quality. As I don't want a headphone amp that I won't use. Currently have a logitech 5.1 surround sound speaker system, would like better sound from them, and "Improved?" base.

Sound on my 7H's is already great for me but if there is a headphone amp + sound card in one that would make them better then I'd take that over just a sound card.

I do like base a lot in music and games (Who the hell doesn't like actually feeling their gun's  every shot fired  in BF3 or being deafened by tanks in PS2?). So I want very clear sound, but also the ability to beef it up a little with base, still with clarity to it though.

Also, what amount of difference would a good headphone amp make to my 7H's? Same for my 5.1 surround sound system, what difference would a good sound card make to them?

2

I dont think many of us have experience in that price range, but take a look at Asus Xonar line, Creative Labs  Sound Blasters and HT Omega makes some nice stuff. Here's a comparison chart of their Claro Series: http://www.htomega.com/faq18.html

Claro Halo XT seems to have all you could ask for, headphone amp included.

For you last question I can only say that there is clearly a market for these so I guess they do make a difference.

3

Only problem being that I'm completely new to sound cards, haven't a clue what anything on them really is or means. Looking around myself too, thanks for the suggestion.

4

The Xonar STX is pretty much the best card on the market now, and it's under $200.

https://www.asus.com/Sound_Cards_and_DigitaltoAnalog_Converters/Xonar_Essence_STX/

5

+1 for the Xonar Essence STX, it's amazing, you will have eargasm (99% sure about this) the next time you put on your headphones :D