Hi Pauli
Even with the cost difference between the MC200 and Mac based solution being $2,750 when using Digital Out, if I were in your shoes I'd be evaluating the two solutions under the following headings

* Ease of Ripping CD's
* Ease of Music Library Management (including Song and Album Ratings, Playlist Creation etc.)
* Storage Flexibility and Backups
* Sound Quality
* And then Cost

Each of the Solutions has their relative strengths and weaknesses in the above areas.......and I'd be factoring those issues as highly as the initial cost

Obviously, if you're going to use the Analog out of the MC200, then that is a further Strength of that system............you would obviously need a DAC to go with the Mac system.......adding to the cost

I've never listened to the Analog outs on the MC200, so I have no idea how it compares to using an external DAC

A lot of factors to consider, as well as cost, which IMHO should be one of the last factors, as you will have to live with your solution on a daily basis

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