digital suggestions? please

I'm not as up to speed on the new digital processors as most here so I'm looking for ideas/recommendations.

I have a very nice stereo setup - a Thorens turntable, high end Sony CD player, Sansui AUD-11ii and B&W 604S2 speakers. I would like to integrate the audio from my blue ray player (Denon), AppleTV, Apple laptop, Tivo XL and Verizon Fios cable box. I'm thinking about an external DAC unit like the PS Audio digital link III or perhaps a Cambridge DacMagic to improve the digital sound from the AppleTV and laptop. Most of my audio is ripped into WAV or FLAC formats if it's not on the original CD. I might consider going to a 3.1 setup which seems nice for dialog in movies but I'm not really interested with going to a 7.1 or 9.1 or whatever the current surround sound fad is these days. Sorry to disappoint the surround sound enthusiasts (I've always suspected that these systems are mostly limited by the weight load the floors can take and the depth of the buyer's pocketbook.)

I picked up a Pioneer Elite VSX 82TXS and a Marantz SR 19 on eBay to mess around with and learn from - meh - I was unimpressed. Both units are in great shape and the Marantz did sound better but my Sansui kicked its a88, look for both of them to be put back on eBay. So now I'm thinking maybe a higher end pre-processor and just keeping my Sansui.. It's about the _sound_ not the video - so I'm looking for suggestions that don't break the bank or require me to put cotton in my ears - well, that's what the Pioneer did sound like :-D

Thanks!