PC connect to audiophyle system

Sar67, I think what you may be thinking is to run a "Y-cable" from your PC to your pre-amp. All you need is a cable with a mini-jack on one end that you plug into a line-out on your computer sound card, eg. speaker or head-phone output. The other end of the Y-cable has a pair of RCA jacks that you plug into your pre-amp. It's not real hi fidelity but it's fine for casual listening. Otherwise, the option would be soemthing like a Squeezebox, with or without an external DAC.

If you use a "Y-cable", you certainly have some resolution loss comnpared with an audiophile set-up. As for volume limitation, you shouldn't have less volume than what you can comfortably listen to. You can also buy audiophile grade sound cards as an upgrade to your computer; however, I think a Squeezebox would be an economically better option than spending what a good sound card costs, and it would be more versatile.