I am interested in hearing back from George how you like the SB3. Some have said it's OK, but not for "critical" listening - mind is been ages since I've sit down to do any "critial" listening. We are all in the same camp, I ripped all my music AIFF because that's waht Jerry suggested and it truly is quite good - maybe Apple Lossless would better?

The SB3 is a good cheap alternative, I don't know much about the ReQuest, the other alternative is a Mac Mini w/ an external HDD, but it only has a headphones output and I am not sure how good that would sound into a 861.

Moving in this direction makes me feel our expensive kit may be overkill. I mean $50-$100K and the source is a $500 computer?!?!?

HNY!!!!

Lumin A1, Shindo Aurieges, Sanders Loudspeakers. DSP5000.