IT Support W1 London

My pair or dollar “steelseries” cans just went out on the right side for the second time (I’ve had to RMA them once), so now for a Christmas present to myself I’m looking to buy a REALLY good pair of cans that will last, a sound card that would help to get the full effect out of them, and if necessary a headphone amplifier.

I listen to a lot of alternative/indie rock stuff, but I also listen to some electronica and hip-hop occasionally too. I occasionally game so it’d be helpful if it helped there, but I’m more concerned about these parts music-wise. I’m not looking for something extremely bass heavy, but rather something that is just good all-around really. I also don’t care that much about noise leakage, even though I do have some people around me, so open can is fine.

For headphones, I have been considering the AKG 702’s, and for a sound card I have been looking at the “HT | OMEGA Claro Halo XT 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Sound Card w/ a built-in HI-FI Headphone Amplifier”.

So, on about a 0 dollar budget, could you guys please recommend me what to go for? Oh, and if I went with that setup, would I need an amplifier too? Thanks in advance.