PC connect to audiophyle system

I would look into the M-Audio Audiophile PCI card.

quite good sound and very low noise level.

J

...big BUCKS? (the SqueezeBox is about $300)

Bolder Cable does modifications to the Squeezebox and will also modify a power supply you supply. I did the power supply mod and it was effective.

http://www.boldercables.com/

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.