iMac + what DAC to exceed my Rotel CD player?


Hi Everyone,

I haven't been here for a while, but this is a great place. I am not worthy of calling myself a true audiophile, but I put together a nice system thanks to many people here. The problem now is logistics - new bookshelves are dedicated to my wife's art history books (they are very nice), so I put all my CDs in binders. Dumb! What a pain. It is now a chore to listen to music. That isn't right.

I have been dreaming about a music server option for some time, but $ is an issue. I now have a new Intel iMac I can dedicate to being nothing but a music server, but I don't know enough about DACs. My question is this. What do I need to spend to get a DAC that I can use with this iMac that will meet or exceed the audio quality of my Rotel 1070 CD player? Is up to $500 an option? I realize this isn't the cream of the crop CD player, but I have been satisfied with it. My amp is an old Scott 222 that I absolutely love and I use Omega speakers I bought about 7 years ago.

Thanks in advance
karavite

Showing 1 response by onemug

"I am not worthy of calling myself a true audiophile"

Yes you are and don't argue with me :-). A Scott 222 and the Omega 3r's (I've owned both) = MUSIC. I've auditioned some "marquis audiophile" names that weren't as musical.

I'll let others advise you on the DAC's but I think you will be pretty happy with your result. Good luck.