Glad you are here! The cool thing about it when we are beginning to care about better sound is that almost any more informed choice will make our system sound better! A dac would really help your ripped files sound better. Doubling up with a dac/headphone combo would also be smart. Great headphones are muc cheaper than really good speakers! There are lots of ways you could go, but a new dac will sound better and that will get you even more excited about your music and good sound!

Trey