Would this be a big hit to the quality?

Hey guys, first post here. I am kind of in a bind, I want good sound, but I am also a poor college student. I have my computer in room A and speaker system in room B. I want my computer music to these speakers in the best quality possible. I can rip my cds in lossless, that is no problem. My computer has an optical audio output, but I have read lots about the electical mess in a computer and the effects of audio quality. I can run a cable around the corner to connect my computer to the receiver, but how would that sound?

I have heard great things about squeezebox, but that is 300 dollars I dont know if I can spend right now. Also, I have read a lot about USB DAC's. Would these DAC's be a lot better than a $350 yamaha reciever? (I work at Best Buy so I get a nice discount on receivers and Klipsch speakers) Most the DAC's I see cost a ton more, so I would expect more, but is the different really all that much.

To sum all questions, I have about $600 to get audio from computer to my speaker and I need a receiver or intergrated amp to power the speakers in the budget. Speakers are the klipsch F3 loudspeakers and the C2 center channel for the movies. Thanks a ton for the help guys.