DAC to pair with MA6600


I posted this in the Amp/PreAmp section as, well and realized I should have probably started in the digital section.

Current setup:
McIntosh 6600 Integrated Amp
Focal 1007be speakers
Source will be an extremely large iTunes library with FLAC, WAV and Lossless files via ethernet or Airport Express

Location:
Living Room with 14' ceilings, hardwood floors, exposed timber
Neighbors on each side, above and below

Needless to say, I won't be cranking this setup by any means. I like clarity in low volumes with the occasional bump of volume, but I probably listen to my car stereo louder.

I LOVE the looks of the D100 from McIntosh, but am having a hard time justifying 2.5k (and i never see them used) to only use the DAC. There are many more cost effective options, but with the every evolving digital market, I feel that a cheaper DAC is more likely to get replaced in a couple/few years.

I need people much smarter than I to help break down the pros/cons of relatively cheap vs. going all out (I consider 2,500 all out for a DAC).

Common sense has me looking at an Arcam irDAC and my senseless appreciation for aesthetics really likes the d100. If anybody has experience with a similar setup, can you provide some recommendations?

Thanks,
Brian
big10purdue
Too bad you missed out on the McIntosh trade-up program that just ended Tuesday. You still might find a dealer willing to swap your 6600 out for a demo or mint used 6700 at a $2500 difference if you ask nicely. That will get you an internal 32 bit 192 kHz DAC and a MC step-up if you really want to get into it. A nice one-box solution. Try Audio Classics in Vestal NY for a start. Failing that, you could consider the new MB100 media bridge (I have no idea what that sells for) or perhaps a second-hand MS300 unit. Their all-in-one disc players also have DAC capability in most cases and if you can live without Blu-Ray, are very affordable. Good luck & happy listening!