The Musical Fidelity X-DACv8 has a USB port (I2S?) input on its DAC. This DAC is well below US$2500.
I evaluated this very combination (MacBook Pro as a transport feeding a MF X-DACv8) a few months ago hoping that the sound would be able to replace a good CD front-end.
Unfortunately, the CD player (Arcam FMJ 36) I was comparing it to was clearly superior in every way. The MF sounded better as the day grew longer but it still was no match for the quality CD player.
Given that I'm a computer geek and a huge fan of the Music Server convenience (I have a Squeezebox2 in another room), I really really wanted the Mac/MF combination to be better. Unfortunately, it wasn't good enough to replace my critical listening requirements.
I evaluated this very combination (MacBook Pro as a transport feeding a MF X-DACv8) a few months ago hoping that the sound would be able to replace a good CD front-end.
Unfortunately, the CD player (Arcam FMJ 36) I was comparing it to was clearly superior in every way. The MF sounded better as the day grew longer but it still was no match for the quality CD player.
Given that I'm a computer geek and a huge fan of the Music Server convenience (I have a Squeezebox2 in another room), I really really wanted the Mac/MF combination to be better. Unfortunately, it wasn't good enough to replace my critical listening requirements.