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PC Audio Basics

I think this question is so basic it is difficult to find the answer.

I am looking to set up a home theater pc with an emphasis on being a music server with very good quality sound. I intend to hook it up to pair of good quality speakers like the Rega r3's. The PC is likely going to be a mac mini running vista.

My question is what do I need between my PC an the speakers?

Do I only need a DAC and can use foobar at the pre-amp?

Do I need a separate amp? If so, can an amp serve as a DAC as well?

Thanks for the help.
delvxe

Showing 1 response by reubent

reubent
6,939 posts
 
Delvxe,

Yes, you will need an amp. I have a friend who is a manufacturer of high-end SET tube amps, DACs and speakers. His system consist of:

Macbook
USB DAC (his design)
SET power amplifier (his design)
single driver speakers (his design)

In his system, he uses iTunes as the digital music source and he uses the built-in volume control. It's a very simple, very elegant, very good sounding system.....

Enjoy,

TIC
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