How is my audio setup? AND What is a DAC?

[TheGeeker]

Output:

 

I use the on board sound on my AsRock Extreme 4 Z97 mobo to a 3.5mm 10ft cable to a PYLE 4 channel headphone amp out to My M40x, Bose soumd comfot things, and to cheap speakers. DO I need a DAC? What is a DAC/ why would I need one? 

 

Input:

BM800 Condenser Mic xlr to Phantom power to XLR to 3.5mm into my PC

[Volbet]

A DAC is a Digital to Analog Converter. it converts the 1s and 0s in your MP3 files to an analog waveform that you can hear. 

So, you already have a DAC in your onboard sound solution. 

 

And no, unless you have problems with your current setup you don't need a dedicated DAC. 

[SSL]

A DAC turns digital audio data into a continuously variable (analog) voltage suitable for driving a transducer. Your motherboard already has a DAC.

[Enderman]

 

 

[Aivaras]

I would say that you need an audio interface if not for speakers, but for microphone.
If you think that DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) for playback is decent, than ADC (Analog-to-Digital converter) for recording is not. Also, 3,5mm in is not for XLR mics anyways.

I use Steinberg CL 2.
It has two XLR inputs (with phantom), 2x mono JACK out and integrated headphones amp that you can use for zero latency monitoring.
You could get something like that - M-Audio M-Track (100 USD), Lexicon Alpha (50 USD), Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (150 USD). 

[TheGeeker]

1 minute ago, Aivaras said:

I would say that you need an audio interface if not for speakers, but for microphone.
If you think that DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) for playback is decent, than ADC (Analog-to-Digital converter) for recording is not. Also, 3,5mm in is not for XLR mics anyways.

I use Steinberg CL 2.
It has two XLR inputs (with phantom), 2x mono JACK out and integrated headphones amp that you can use for zero latency monitoring.
You could get something like that - M-Audio M-Track (100 USD), Lexicon Alpha (50 USD), Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (150 USD). 

Ah alright. How much of a difference do you notice? I do not do recording I skype and do the occasional maybe 2-3 times a year voice over for videos. 

[Aivaras]

1 minute ago, TheGeeker said:

Ah alright. How much of a difference do you notice? I do not do recording I skype and do the occasional maybe 2-3 times a year voice over for videos. 

I am using a little more expensive gear  - Grado SR 325e headphones (300 USD) and a Shure SM58 mics (100 USD) so I need a separate sound card.  Difference in recording quality with any XLR mic using normal ADC and amplifier for that makes huge difference.
For output - it depends.
My DELL laptop has really crappy sound card so with headphones I can hear a silent hissing and bad quality in general. Using iMac (that has quite good DAC) I usually don't plug card in. Also "studio" cards are a little different from ones that are integrated, usually they produce sound as it should be produced while integrated cards have some weird EQ or something to make them sound "better". Usually it's more bass. 
Anyways good sound interface is always good to have. Maybe some day you will upgrade your gear or something.