Will a better soundcard help my system? Options

[Box Cutter]

Currently I'm using my computer as the source for my stereo system, and am running a line out of my integrated soundcard (its a soundblaster live! 24 bit) to my real amp which is driving my 2 speakers (they aren't crappy computer speakers). As such my stereo systerm, while certainly not top of the line, is nonetheless decent.

My question is, would getting a better soundcard for my computer have any effect on sound quality given that it is only a source, and not doing any amping? If it will, does anyone have any good recommendations?

My other question is are there any special settings I should set for my soundcard in order to keep it from amplifying the signal at all? Since I have an external amp, it seems like having the soundcard also act as an amp could cause worse sound quality.

Thanks for any help.