Novice question: PC music upgrade advice

[CrVMo]

Hi.

I am a complete audio hi-fi novice, so here goes!

I have some FLAC music files on my PC and want to be able to listen to them in better quality than at present.

I have about £500 to spend, so what should I be looking for?

In reading some forums I've seen that a DAC is necessary with some speakers. But, do I also need an amplifier?

Where should I be spending most money: DAC, amp., or speakers - or equally between all?

Please guide me in the right direction.

Many thanks,

CrVMo

 

[MajorFubar]

With digital audio the most difference is speakers > amp > DAC in that order. I'd be tempted to spend £239 on a PM6005 that you can connect to your PC using a digital connection (because it has a built in DAC). This will bypass the audio card in the PC which is often substandard. That will leave you about £250 to spend on speakers. You may have to break the bank just slightly to buy a device which gives you an optical or coax digital output so you can link your PC to the amp, if your PC doesn't already have one. £20-£25 usually gets you one.