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Time to set the music free!

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For the past year or so I've been eagerly anticipating a time when I could buy a decent pair of speakers and amp so I could trash my computer speakers and really get to my growing music collection. I�ve been considering going the USBDAC route. I�m quite excited, as I�ve been living with my computer/soundcard/speaker setup for years, and all my waiting is about to come to an end!
I've got around $4000 to spend on a setup, but could possibly go to $4500 if I had to. I�m thinking of going from my computer (using lossless WMA) to a Scott Nixon USBTD to a NAD C372 to either Vandersteen 2ce Sigs or the Paradigm Reference Studio 100�s. My room is about 16�x19� with 9� ceiling. I�m also going to upgrade my headphones and get a headphone amp, but that will be secondary. I also realize I�ll have to have some $ leftover for speaker wire, interconnects and a decent audio stand, which I�m currently lacking. I figure this setup should work well within my budget constraints, but it always seems like I miss something.
So, a couple of things if you guys don�t mind. I�m finding it hard to find direct information on how a USB DAC works. Does it simply plug into the USB port on the computer? I know it can�t be that simple. Also, if any of you guys have any pointers or recommendations before I jump in headfirst and start buying equipment it would be greatly appreciated, because in the past I�ve been saved some major headaches and bucks with some good info from this forum.
Thanks!

Follow Ups:

Re: Time to set the music free! - freaknhell 08:20:58 01/23/07 (0)
Hey thanks for the great info guys! Definitely going to check out the Antique Audio Labs gear.
Re: Time to set the music free! - Presto 22:45:13 01/22/07 (1)
Hey.
That sounds like a good system. Vandy's are good speaks.
I would listen to as many amps as you can though - compare them to the NAD. Most people who like NAD are NAD fans - nothing wrong with that - just remember to try out different stuff.
Try out a few tube integrateds like Antique Audio Labs or CR Developments.
Personally I avoid Krell like the plague - and others LOVE em. Amps are as personal as speakers - so do experiment.
Cheers,
Presto
- yes, - CD 18:53:59 01/23/07 (0)
  NAD is fine for the money and was a starter brand (or gateway drug) for a lot of us, but at that budget you can probably do better.
  So Presto's right, try a variety of speakers and amps, keeping in mind that amp-speaker matchups are crucial. And your tastes will change after you've listened to good gear for a while. Something to be said for not blowing all the budget at once and keeping some back for the next upgrade cycle.
  On the opposite tech end from the tube amps -- which can sound lovely -- are the new digital amps from folks like nuforce.
Re: Time to set the music free! - bullethead 18:08:51 01/22/07 (0)
"Does it simply plug into the USB port on the computer? I know it can�t be that simple"
It's almost that simple. In addition to "just plugging it into a USB port" you have to tell the operating system to use the USB DAC as "the" audio output device.
Therefore it's "that simple" but you still need to click two or three times :P
It's a new world!

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