I need DAC help

My 2 cents though I don't think I'm much further along the learning curve than you. I got started on "computer audio" for exactly the same reason. Wanted to listen to Pandora on my system - not just via headphones or crappy computer speakers. Got a V-DAC and later a V-Link to go with it. 1) USB cable from computer USB port to the V-Link. 2) Digital coax from V-Link to V-DAC. 3) Regular RCA interconnects to an available input on the amp or pre-amp. Nowadays you can find many DACs that incorporate asynchronous USB so you no longer really need 2 boxes. Asynch USB is definitely worth looking for in my mind. The V-Link made a good bit of difference in the sound from the V-DAC. Tech has progressed from those days but the basics can still be pretty simple. Consider talking to the folk at Audio Advisor. They can hook you up. [No affiliation or business interest with them]. Good luck and have fun.

Rides2Work - $1000 for a DAC is a very nice budget. Of course there will be some who sniff dismissively at the paltry sum. Might want to save some of those $ for a decent USB cable. Good values are out there for DAC and cable.

I agree with Willie on the Schiit products. A Gungnir is where I went after the V-DAC.

Plenty of info and comparisons on the internet. See stuff by John Darko Digital Audio Review.

Good luck and have fun.

Willie - I put a Pangea 14SE on it. I have a Shunyata Venom 3S I could try but haven't so far. Music Direct had the Shunyatas on sale a few weeks back. My USB is a 2M Kimber that I got some years ago. I needed a longer length so I just ordered a silver plated 3M Pangea (PCOCC w/4% Ag). Very inexpensive We'll see how that goes. Interested in your comments about the DH Labs USB. I'm thinking about a Coax from them. Hope this is of help to the OP. Cables: Power cord, USB, ICs (& Coax, maybe).