Technically an external DAC is replicating the functionality of what
your laptop already has built-in, but think of it as swapping out the
crappy earbuds that came with your smartphone. With a 24-bit digital to
analog converter, the DacMagic XS can handle up to 24-bit, 192kHz high
quality sound files, while its amp puts out 150mW of power. So not only
will the music coming through your headphones sound better, it will be
louder too, but without the distortion.