Best setup for headset & speakers?

[Mercutio]

Currently using a Xonar DX. The optical goes to a set of logitech 5.1's and the front panel audio connector on my fractal case has the headset.

I'm looking to change headsets as mine are slowly falling to bits so I have a few options for what to get, hence questions

What would be the best option for keeping the optical out to the speakers AND powering a headset in a decent way? Would Xonar DX + headphone amp be the way to go? If so which and how is this set up?

Would anyone actively recommend ditching the DX and getting a DG then do the speakers some other way?

I unfortunately don't have the space for a second PCIe sound card in my box or I probably would go the route of having both.

Headset wise I think I'm going for either the corsair 1300's or the sennheiser PC 330's, nothing toooo stellar there so is it worth the messing to go amp/some other solution?

 

[Marsman]

I wouldn't go for a DG/X. The DX is a better card. True it doesn't have a headphone amp, but it does have better sound quality. Another reason not to go for a DG/X, is that you more than likely need Dolby Digital Live for gaming. As you are using SPDIF connection to the Logitech speakers, the sound needs to be encoded with Dolby Digital in order to get 5.1. The DG/X doesn't do that. It can pass Dolby Digital when watching DVD's, for eg, but not when gaming, as games do not use Dolby Digital. You need Dolby Digital Live to do that, which the DX has.

You probably won't need a headphone amp unless you crave really loud volume. I would choose a headset first, then go from there. If you decide to get a USB headset, they have their own build in sound processing, and can't make use of a headphone amp. Headphone amps are only for analogue connection.