The headphone amp is being driven off the Xonar's front out, and the speakers off the side out, but I've got things configured to duplicate the front stereo audio to the side out. Xonar DSX into a FiiO A3 and Sennheiser PX-100-II open-air headphones for headphone listening, and some mediocre 2.1 Yamahas that I've had since forever (15+ years) for speakers. The ASUS Xonar series seems to recieve good reviews from what I've read. They've improved since the Zx series came out and setting up the software is not so frustrating anymore. The Creative X-Fi series a few years ago were causing problems in the software drivers and too much bloatware almost lost me as a customer. I've used Creative sound cards for several years since I did not like the limited audio controls in the Realtek on-board chips. It's a discontinued stock item but it must be still in demand since a quick search online shows it selling for 5X (unused) what I bought it for. I've had my X-540 set for over 10 years and they are still performing well although I would not consider these anywhere near audiophile-level quality. Logitech does make cheapo basic speakers but their X and Z series are built solid. If your are in a tight space or small room a nice 2.1 setup would be fine. I use Creative's Soundblaster-Zx sound card with 70 Watt RMS/140 W Peak Logitech X-540 speakers, 5.1 setup. Very comfortable and sound great even with a Behinger 202 driving (now attached to my soundboard and laptop). The M-100's with the boom mic were awesome for long raiding sessions when I played WoW years ago. They don't pair that well as the M-100's are pretty easy to drive and the tube amp is a bit much. I'd like a different amp and/or headphones. Syba Sonic SD-DAC63057 hooked to either a Nobsound NS-08E or a CMOY headphone amp (depends on what I'm listening to) or the Syba directly driving V-Moda M-100's. I don't play much any more so I'm much more lenient on this. It works well enough for TF2 or Civ X or whatever.

Gaming 'surround' sound isn't standard any more so I just use the software stuff. Convenient but sound like turds and not very comfortable. For listening to and sharing music I have a FiiO taishan-d03k DAC to a Lepai LP-2020A+ amp connected to a Polk DSW 2000 sub and two PSB Alpha B1's.

Audioengine d1 dac hd 598