Digital vs. Analog
Reply #10 –
Connecting a sound card to an amp is the same as connecting a CD player or a tuner or any other source.
A pre-amp can do a couple of things like choosing the source, tone control, volume control, etc.
It also amplifies.
A power amp simply amplifies.
If you connect a source directly to a power amp you are missing the gain of the pre-amp.
It can be done but you can’t play loud as you are missing the gain of the pre-amp.