Explain to total Noob the options to run laptop into stereo

[Mwalsdor_cscc_edu]

Long time member of this forum but haven't posted in years. I'd like to upgrade my ancient transport / dac with a laptop as source but don't know the 1st thing in going about it. My stereo is unique in that I'm not using a receiver / pre-amp instead I use a single-ended triode 45 amp w/volume control straight into a DAC [that also has volume control capabilities]. I'd like to upgrade the dac as it's the weakest link in my system. I'm confused about wire vs USB vs squeezebox and what kind of soundcard provides the best audio. My objective is the best sound possible. What are my options? Thanks in advance.

[02audionoob]

Connect an M-Audio Transit or SoundBlaster USB to your USB port and you'll have good quality analog outputs from your computer...

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Transit.html

http://www.soundblaster.com/products/product.asp?category=1&product=10702

Or take it step further and run your USB port to a Grant Fidelity DAC-09 and you'll have what amounts to a DAC/preamp....

http://www.grantfidelity.com/site/Grant_Fidelity_Tube_DAC-09

Or maybe a PS Audio Digital Link III, which has a USB input...

http://www.psaudio.com/ps/products/detail/digital-link-3-dac

Here's an old photo of my setup with the DLIII in the upper right portion of the shelf units and the computer on the floor...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2791/4301233814_b4287576a5.jpg

[poppachubby]

God that's a great pic noob. Love it...

[02audionoob]

Thanks, Chubbs.

Continuing with the USB concept...The Wavelength Proton DAC actually has a hardware volume control but it's controlled on the computer. No power cord required. Outputs to RCA and headphone...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2711/4301287230_784c2fdf59.jpg


I almost forgot...the remote in the lower left corner is a Logitech Wireless DJ. It's somewhat similar to the Squeezebox concept. It receives a wireless signal from a USB dongle on my PC (not in this photo) and converts to analog. The remote reads my Windows Media Player and iTunes libraries and displays them in a look similar to an iPod. Here's a new photo. The Digital Link III is now in the bottom right. Its drawback in your situation might be the lack of a volume control.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4300590621_de1c2dd199.jpg