Best sound card / DAC Amp combo for $200

[Spookydoge]

As the title says I wonder which sound card or DAC / AMP is best for around $200.

 

I have a pair of Audiotechnica ATH-AG1, and I predominantly spend my time watching videos / movies, as well as playing games such as Witcher 3, Total war, Crysis 3 and CS GO.

 

The audio product will need to have a 3.5 mm microphone port as well as a 3.5 mm audio one.

 

I have been doing a little bit of research and found some ones that look rather promising, firstly the Asus Xonar Essence STX II (not the 7.1) as well as the Creative Sound Blaster E5. Are these 2 any good, which one should I get and please elaborate on the reasoning why I should / should not pick a specific one. 

 

All support is appreciated.

[Samfisher]

You may have just missed Mayflower's Black Friday sale ):

 

https://www.mayflowerelectronics.com/shop/digital-to-analog-converters/objective2-with-odac/

 

The Mayflower Objective2 ODAC + Amp combo is quite highly regarded.

[iShad]

Why do you need mic input?

[Spookydoge]

Why do you need mic input?

I don't have sound on mobo. I know there are other ways around that whilst still getting a dac amp soundcard thing though it is just the easiest I thought.

[SSL]

Syba DAC for the cheap option.

Asus Xonar Essense STX for the overpirced option.