Using a DAC is the idea choice for media content that is viewed through a PC.  By using an external amplifier you have the ability to use different speakers as your needs grow and your system can too.  Another advantage of using external t-amps (or amplifiers) is the use of speaker cables.  Upgrading or changing your audio cables can make all the difference in the world, in terms of sound quality and output.  This combinations of features make you speaker system very flexible in different environments.

Why use a DAC

Is having a DAC really important when it comes to streaming audio content from your PC?  The answer is Yes!  

By using a DAC, you are getting the full sound quality from your media device, such as your PC.  Plain and simple, it converts your digital signal (which are 1 and 0s) into an analog sound for playback through your amplifier and speakers.

One of the mistakes that most users make when using a t-amp, (one that does not have a built-in DAC), is trying to connect their laptop to the t-amp, using a standard 3.5mm jack, using the standard sound card that is in your PC.

3.5m jacks are fine for connecting headphones and other small devices, but to a PC, its a step back.   By using the 3.5mm jack/connector, your are losing a lot gain (volume) and some quality.  3.5mm connections are used for small devices such as headphones, because they require very little power or gain for them to play loud (because the sound card is driving tiny speakers).  

This is why you will hook up a laptop or PC to a t-amp (digital amplifier) using that connector, it takes 3/4 (3 quarters) of volume for the speakers to play at a moderate level or have decent sound.  This is why most users drop the idea of using t-amps or stereo receivers and go for powered speakers.

The sound cards that are built into your PC are not powerful enough to drive speakers independently

By using a DAC, you are converting the digital signal/sound on your PC, which are 1 and 0s (as mention before) into analog sound for playback through your amplifier and speakers.  The result is like night and day, this method will improve the over-all performance of your system.  You can clearly hear the difference between the amplifier sound quality and of course volume!

Figure 2:

3.5mm  audio jack. Is a standard connector that is used for connecting small audio devices that uses very little power or miilawatts.  So you don’t need much gain or volume to drive tiny speakers that are found in earbuds and headphones.

Figure 2:

USB cables are used for connecting t-amps to digital amplifiers (T-amps) that have a built-in DAC (digital-to-analog converter),    

By using an onboard DAC, this allows you to have the highest quality of digital sound from your audio content (such as music) to your amplifier and speakers.

Figure 1:

From the photo you can see hooking up a t-amp with a built-in DAC requires only the use of an USB cable.  By using this method, the user will receive the best sound possible from the amplifier to this PC.  The reason for this, is that by bypassing the sound card in your PC, you will be using the one that is in your amplifier.

Once the t-amp is connected the the laptop (via usb cable), there is no software to install, the amplifier is plug & play.  Once the amp is connected for the first time, the driver will automatically download and install in less than 30 seconds, after that you are all ready to go.