I've been playing MP3s from my PC via a line out of my PC's speakers
(with RCAs on the other end into my stereo). The connection "out" from
the speakers has gone defective from over-use, so now I am runnning RCA
straight from back of PC - but apparently the PC speakers were adding
some power to the line to provide sufficient signal. Now that the line
is no longer going through the PC's speakers, the volume of the signal
is VERY low. Is there a device I can get (aside from new PC speakers)
that I can run the line through to provide some boost to the signal
going out to my stereo? Any advice would be appreciated. Jay

Are you trying to listen with your computer speakers and your stereo at
the same time? If you haven't already, try connecting your computer
only to your stereo. If the volume is too low, make sure that both your
Master and Wave volumes are at 100% (double-click the speaker icon in
the system tray to get to the volume control panel). Also, you might
have several jacks on the back of your soundcard that you can connect
your stereo through, and they might have different output levels
(line-out vs. headphones, for example). Try each one. Also, you could
try the same thing on your stereo if it has more than one input
(although I imagine this would only help if the one you're using now
isn't working right).

To make sure your stereo is working fine, try hooking up another source
(such as a cd player) to the input you were trying to use. Also, make
sure you're using a good quality cable to make your connection. You
don't need anything too fancy, but you might have problems if you're
trying to use a long, thin cable.

I apologize if you've already tried all of this, and realize I didn't
really answer your question. If none of this helps, and you don't end
up finding a preamp to boost your signal, you could always get a new
sound card. I just got a new Chaintech AV-710. This card is $27
including shipping from newegg.com, and even has a digital optical out.
It's received great reviews, and seems to be one of the best-sounding
cards for the money.

-Greg