DAC vs Audio Interfaces/Preamps vs External Sound Cards

[dyli]

I want better sound quality than what my laptop audio out port provides. My primary purpose is listening to music and watching movies with my external swans m10 speakers. I plan to upgrade my speakers as well in the future. But that is a separate topic.

 

My budget is $200 and on amazon I find 3 different types of products

1) DAC - https://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/electronics/3224445011/

2) Audio Interfaces/Preamps - https://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/musical-instruments/11973691/ , https://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/electronics/11974581/

3) External Sound Cards - https://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/pc/3015427011

 

In DAC, I like the Audioengine D1, in Audio Interfaces I like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and in External Sound Cards I like the Creative Sound BlasterX. 

 

All of them seem to do the same thing with the Audio Interfaces providing additional recording capabilities. Which among these will provide the best sound quality to my external speakers?

[anothertom]

With such low budget speakers you're best off saving your money until you can afford a meaningful upgrade.

[.Apex.]

@dyli

you're really not gonna notice any difference moving from a laptop soundcard to an external one with those speakers.

[dyli]

I plan to upgrade my speakers in the future as well. Considering I would have better quality speakers in the future should I buy DAC or Audio Interfaces/Preamps or External Sound Cards?

[anothertom]

Upgrading the speakers should be the first step, not the last. A good analogy would be trying to view a UHD signal through a CRT on VGA.