High resolution audio on a PC questions

OP,

The DAC in your PC is located in a very noisy, vibration ridden environment and is not purpose built for high quality sound. Just being able to play high Rez files doesn’t mean they sound optimal. You might have a look at my system… every one of the 9 components weighs at least 35 pounds and performs a specific function. The more design effort, isolation, high quality components used, the better the sound. There is almost no end to this.

External DACs are available from a few dollars to well in excess of $20,000… I have owned and listened to at least a couple dozen from $100 to $22K. In general, the more expensive the better they sound… exactly like other components… streamers, preamps, amps, speakers and turntables.

The optimal sound will be from a system is to have similar and complementary components. If you want to do a single purchase and no more… then think of a USB or general purpose external DAC costing somewhere in the vicinity of your receiver.

Just running your analog output through your receiver may sound better… probably… but so many variables try it.

@oahenkepi 

Really it comes down to your PC (or laptop) and headphones. I have head computers with dead silent outputs (MAC) or ones with audible power supply whine. The other issue I have run into is inability to drive cleanly at high volume though it may be pretty good at low volume. External DACs have better amplifiers that will drive a variety of headphones cleanly at full volume. You don't have to spend a fortune to get an DAC-amplifier that is about as clean as you could ever hope for. You could spend more, but then you are paying for a brutally over priced tone control. There are better ways to spend your money (like on better headphones).

What I learned, and I cannot emphasize this enough, is that you must learn how to equalize your headphones. I went through some expensive headphones never quite happy till I discovered that the frequency response of most headphones, even expensive ones, can be rather poor. It's not something they tell you when you buy them.  There are some good resources on the web with headphone reviews with frequency response on something the resembles a human head. They will give you a give starting point.

I would suggest getting a Wyred4Soound DAC-2.  Right now there are 2 on eBay for $300-400.  This unit also serves as a pre-amplifier so that is one less piece of equipment you have to buy.  Then start by feeding it from your optical out on your motherboard.  I know that the conventional wisdom is that a computer is a noisy environment that degrades sound but when Stereophile reviewed a PC sound card they found no evidence of this.  If you might consider a dedicated amplifier in the future this would be a good way to go.  There are lots of options in the used stereo amp market.  If you are ever thinking of Magnepan speakers I would suggest a Parasound HCA-1000 as it supplies the high current that Maggies need.  $200-400 on eBay.

However if you want to go with a better receiver then you could get a reasonably good DAC from Schiit Audio (or others) for $99 and that would get you into hi-rez pretty cheaply.  This does limit your upgrade path to a better receiver. 

BTW, you can sometimes find really good deals on used audio equipment on eBay, Audiogon or US Audio Mart.

A word of caution.  It is possible that anyone's pursuit of better sound can lead to a lifelong quest that will suck time, energy and money out of your life.