How do you go about listening?

[jetpig]

Extra DACs and amps aren't always required, and play a DISTANT second to the headphones/speakers. You already have a DAC, too, it's the Digital to Analog Converter chip in whatever device you have. Only real reason to get a DAC is if your laptops sound is noisy from being around all the other electronics in the case. Even then almost anything over about $75 is considered transparent to the listener. An amp is only required for certain more power hungry headphones. My big dt770 headphones get a small but noticeable improvement from an amp, while the se215 earbuds do not get any that I've noticed. On the other hand there are sets that won't get to a listenable volume without one.