Need help choosing a new sound card and earphones

[zixayen]

Hi

I have an Asus Xonar U1 and want an upgrade. Is the Xonar U7 good quality or just another budget card? I want quality and prepared to spend over £100 (for an external card).

Also earphones, I spent £30 on Sennheiser CX 1.00 and they are terrible the sound just sounds "weak". I like in the ear buds.

In the meantime would I be better using my motherboard's inbuilt sound chip? I have an intel P8Z77-V LX (LGA1155) which is newer than my external sound card.

 

[BlueFireZ]

It seems the Xonar U7 is a good card, the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi HD is comparable to it, from what ive seen a lot of people say that motherboards (in general) is fine for sound, but i think you can try it yourself to see if there is a noticeable difference. And if you can specify whats your price range for a earbud that would help.

 

[zixayen]

I can go up to 50GBP for earphones if they are worth the money