If this one has been answered before I sure can't find it.

Ok, I know that my computer speakers have to be "powered" because there isn't any power in my sound card to drive them.
Soooo...
if I wanted to run sound from my computer (without using my Xbox) directly to my stereo speakers would I need an amp of some sort?
Also, are there better sound cards for this purpose? i.e. more than a single output? And how does that single output affect my sound? Are the connections different? Specifically, I am trying to figure out what to run to L&R inputs (use a splitter?). And what's with all the muppets?
I apologize for rambling a bit, so I threw in that last one so that I would be guaranteed responses that would make me look less incoherent.

Most soundcards or motherboards (if integrated soundcard) have digital out jacks called SPDIF (either optical or coax). You just hook that up to your receiver digital input jacks. Since I use my PC to play movies to my projector my soundcard has coax out and my video card has HDMI out or my projector.

You can also use a stereo receiver with your standard headphone jack->dual RCA plug cable, running off your computer's internal sound card. If you want better quality, have a look at ASUS's newest sound cards.

Another option that provides better sound than the standard stereo-ouput jack is to go with a USB audio device. At the higher end is this one, with integrated high resolution D/A converter and optical output. At the lower end is the iMic. There are other options, as well. You will still need to buy an amplifier.