"Entry Level" Audio Setup?

[geogga]

Hi, basically, need help and advice on a audio setup. budget for total is around $700-800. Not a friking crazy audiophile, dude who just wants to heard good vibes.
Few passive speakers in mind: Boston Acoustics A26, Wharf 10.2, Paradigm A2, Audioengine P4 Monitor speakers MR2 
any other good speakers for around $450 or even just great speakers under that price?

For AMP/DAC/what ever, 
How should I use the Schiit modi and/or the SchiitMagni? Or are they both really only for headphones....They looked so sexy, but I don't think I can use them cuz I got speakers right?
But I was looking at the audioengine N22 which looks sleek and the price is fine. Why are amps so expensive?!?! That looks like my only viable option. I forgot about the Denon AVR-1513, higher price, more features, but looks less sleek and a bit complicated...

For sound cards, a asus or a creative? 

bottom line 
1. best sounding speaker out of the 5? or do you have a good one for under $450 that you recommend? (for the wharfs, I read you really need an amazing amp to to show its best so that may take it out of the list) 
2. Amps? For under $250-300 and works well with a speaker that you recommend/the ones I listed? like the N22, 
3. Sound cards under $200? I read that creative and asus are the best one.
Thanks!

[_ASSASSIN_]

You don't need a sound card if you have a DAC and amp solution, now you can allocate more money towards those things

[das affe]

i got myself a harman kardon 980 and a pair of white magnat vector 205 when both were quite expensive... never regreted it. great for listening to music and even gaming sometimes.
This setup saves every party I do not know any of the named brands, maybe they just aren't as big in germany as where you live but i wouldn't buy something i've never heared of
-edit: ok i just looked up those speakers and understand why i've never heard of those brands: im not into monitoring speakers  

[mr moose]

I'd get a good amp with optical in, forget all the surround features and stuff if you are only interested in stereo. run optical from your motherboard or basic (real basic) soundcard if you need to and spend the rest on speakers, the speakers are the weakest link in any system so you need to spend as much there as possible.

[MrSuperb]

Do you want to listen to music sitting at your pc or do you want to 'fill' a room.

 

There is a huge difference in your selection of adequate speakers ...

[burkeforlife]

I bought a Onkyo TX-SR506 Reciever/AMP and a full 5.1 bundle of Warfedale 9.0 diamondbacks for around £900 4 years ago and i am so glad i did. Sound it outputs wows me every time i put a bluray or cd on. 

 

I just had a quick google and you can get the Warfedale for around £40 for a PAIR!

 

If you have a smallish size room like me (3.5m) i would recommend them anthing larger maybe the 9.1's 

[MPX309]

Dayton Audio speakers and Lepai 2020a+ Amp

[ShearMe]

Checkout what used item you can find on eBay - there's always something good floating around.

[threadysparrow]

I always thought of entry level as under about $500. Talking about amps, speakers, and soundcards isn't entry level

 

But I am somewhat working class poor so I have no room to speak.

[Silvercall]

I just picked up a pair of Audioengine A5+ speakers. I quite like them. They are large though.