The hypex modules have a standby mode and need to have an enable signal to fully power on.
If the amp only has a single power button the enable is shorted.
So the trigger is usually a switched jack. Nothing connected keeps it shorted.
You connect something, that something must provide the...
The shitt modius or the drop grace balanced are not that expensive.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-grace-design-balanced-dac.8201/
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/schiit-modius-balanced-dac-review.13769/
Basically you need higher input voltage, depending on the laptop, you might be limited below 1.9v.
So I would recommend a balanced DAC to be able to get the best of your amp.