First PC audio setup

Addressing your understanding of PC audio:

No, the hard drive acts as a CD. They are both storage devices in which a person can store data. The music files are data. The music files are in digital form (aka binary code). The soundcard contains a DAC and/or DSP chip that processes the digital data and then translates the digital data into analog data (aka information over time like frequency) which can then directly be input into a speaker. Due to the waveform features of analog signal, the magnet of the speaker driver interpret the data into oscillations that automatically translate into sound as the speaker driver gets to work.

You do not send digital data (aka optical or coaxial) to an amp. You only send analog data via line out connectors like balanced, TSR, stereo connector, mini stereo connectors, or RCA into an amp. You do not want to put an amp before the DAC because you do not want to amp a digital signal.

So. Hard drive or CD (which contains music files) >>> Digital (aka optical or coaxial if externally connected, otherwise carried by circuit board) >>> DAC >>> Analog (via balanced, TSR, stereo connector, mini stereo connectors, or RCA) >>> Amp >>> Speaker Wires (carrying amped analog signals) >>> Speaker

What's your budget for your soundcard? Generally, you want to stick with something above $50 to make it worth it, imo. Personally, I would spend a minimum of $100 (retail value). More likely $150-$200.

You don't want that A2ZS, trust me. Below are a few products that will greatly improve your listening experience. You should also look into music playing software: foobar2000

Good

Better (and very moddable, cheaply)

Best

Hmm, almost. Music is stored digitally whether on CD or encoded file (mp3 or whatnot); this is converted to analog by a DAC and the analog signal is amplified at another point so you can listen to it via headphones or speakers.

So digital-analog conversion is functionally distinct from analog amplification, and there are many different devices/configurations to build a pc setup that integrate these two functions in the same device, e.g. an internal soundcard, a USB soundcard, a USB DAC/headamp.

As an aside, optical output is still digital, this would be when the soundcard is acting as a source/transport to a DAC.

There are pieces that you can find, DAC and AMP together.

Sound cards you should look at is:
- Asus Xonar Essence STX
- Auzentech X-Fi Forte

I have tried the STX, and I enjoy it very much... it might be something that interests you, it also has optical out from the card itself.

As you can see in my sig, I am using a iBasso D10 right now as my DAC and AMP, it's a portable amp but it's great since I travel with it with my Macbook.

Also, HT OMEGAO Claro Halo is a great soundcard with decent amp.

Dont confuse preamp outputs with line level outputs. Preamp is an actual device, so when you say preamp outputs, people might think you're talking about outputs specifically on a preamp when you're really talk about line level outputs in general.

hi,
i actually have the Auzentech X-Fi Forte and its great. it can drive my dt770 250ohms no problem. check out ncix.com they usually have it for less than 100.00