Abstract: The teachings are directed to a power amplifier expansion card (“amplifier card”) for a computer. The amplifier card receives audio data through an input port and amplifies the audio data to high-level passive speaker power for transmissions through an output port. The amplifier card can comprise a circuit board having (i) at least two audio channels; (ii) an audio power amplification circuit for amplifying audio power to at least 20 W RMS per channel; and (iii) an onboard cooling system. The amplifier card can be used, for example, in a multimedia system having at least a studio controller operably connected to the amplifier card for receiving and processing input audio data. Examples of such multimedia systems include, but are not limited to, a television home entertainment system, an audio home entertainment system, a music production studio system, a gaming system, a personal computing system, or any combination thereof.