Hardware synth recording and playback questions

[sinkoman]

I'm getting ready to start purchasing the parts for an analogue synth i'm going to make, and while it will serve mainly as a means of toying with melody, note progression, and harmonics without having to turn on my PC or fire up Reason, i'd still like to be able to run it to my PC for recording.

So, I was wondering, what would be a fairly cost efficient setup that'll yield good recording quality when run to the line in on my PC?

I was also wondering, what would be a fairly cost efficient way to get actual sound out of the synth and to my ears? I realize that just running it to a pair of headphones won't yield great results, but I really can't afford to spend much money on a monitor.

 

[Vegeta897]

A good soundcard

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOAP2496

As for sound, I'd go for IEM headphones. Even some cheap ones like my Sony's (30 bucks) are miles better than standard headphones. Great bass response.