Thank you; that all makes sense and helps. Yes, both the dac & amp have RCA connectors. I have good cables and connectors and am getting a good USB cable so that's the best I can do for now I suspect without getting into some stupid dosh. :-)

Not sure what you mean by balanced - please elaborate. On a related question, all three (computer, DAC, amp) have volume controls. The computer has both hardware & software controls. Which is best for optimum quality?

Which is better for sound, assuming one or the other must be 4 metres and both are quality cables, USB cable between dac & computer or audio cable between dac and amp?

Check out Temple Audio http://www.templeaudio.net/. I cannot recommend the Bantam Gold highly enough. It is designed to run on 12v dc. I've had mine for about a year and even in the dead of winter, I can run it all week without severely running down my batteries. If you let them know when you...

So I've made one improvement - added an Arcam rPAC today and there's a world of difference. My music is beginning to sound much better. Very nice soundstage. Since my sprung hardwood floor and the walls act like a sounding board for my Klipsch, I'm now sitting in a studio. I plan on upgrading...

Thanks for the advice - I will look for a DAC - not necessarily that one although it does look good. I've been playing round with the system to see what sounds best and one major drawback to plugging straight from headphone jack to T-amp is interference from the 12v power supply to the computer...

I have been an avid music consumer for decades - vinyl on a super system - but I now live on a narrowboat with limited space and power so I'm trying to put together that perfect system again in my new environment. I have a Temple Bantam Gold 12 volt T-amp driving a pair of Klipsch speakers and...