someone help me please i am a newb

You will notice a benefit to upgrading your turntable when you do it, but I suggest getting a DAC right now because you don't seem to have anything except your Dell's audio out jack for playing digital music.

So I say keep the turntable upgrade in mind and start researching it, but spend now on a DAC and cables. Personally I would suggest the SimAudio Moon 100D DAC. It has a USB input which you can use for now. You will have enough cash left over to buy a good USB cable, like the cryo-treated silver one from Audiogoner Acreyes -- look him up.

Later, to upgrade your digital sound, you will want a USB-to-S/PDIF converter (one like the Valab Tera-Link X which sells on eBay for $60), plus a 1.5 meter coaxial interconnect cable.

That's what I would do, and there will be others who have their own favorite approaches to your needs and budget.

MY thoughts/opinions/experience... (you may get some polar opposite responses )....

The quality of your output on your pc...optical (if you have one)/usb, etc is kind of irrelevant...especially if you grab a usb to to s/pdif converter to tighten up timing... (even without this you can get amazing performance with a decent dac and lossless bit format).

This will spark debate--But IN MY EXPERIENCE, I've noticed Zero difference in performance of Digital cables (cheap vs. expensive)...in fact I have a/b 'd between my optical and coax dac outputs with very little sound difference...

For the kind of money your talking, I'm a huge fan of the PS Audio Dlink 3, it is a great performer...if you like warmth, body, etc (i.e. it's musical).... If you are a detail freak...there are better choices.

Don't let anyone tell you you can get hi-fi from a computer... I've got my "highest fi" using a computer and a great DAC. I will never go back to a CDP

YMMV.

Sorry...of course I meant---Don't let anyone tell you that you CAN'T get hi-fi from a computer.

anyway good luck...feel free to email me with questions about a pc/dac solution...be glad to share my experiences.

You haven't mentioned if your digital files are stored in a lossless format or the more common lossy MP3 format. If they are MP3s, the first thing to do (if you own the original discs) is to re-rip using something like JR River jukebox or Media Monkey in a lossless format like FLAC. Then I would recommend the HRT II+ USB DAC which costs $350 new and is powered off the USB bus so you can easily take it. I'd add a pair of decent RCA interconnects that you can buy used here for $100 and you would be good to go. The USB cable, to my ears, is not that important. If have some $ left over you might want to upgrade the interconnect btwn the pre and the power amp if its a basic freebie type.

The Peachtrees are the best for the money with USB inputs. Make sure your files are lossless or better as Swampwalker stated. I have a Musiland MD-10 which is great for the money.