The new apple airport express is a better router than the old one (it is dual band, has 2 ethernet ports) and still has the analog/digital out (use a minitosklink to toslink).  I just bought one to use as a wifi repeater/streaming devicen and it is working great.  ...

Nice job of discussing the topic raised by the OP . . . 

Quote: I'm so sorry, if I wasn't clear.  I think you were right in your response to my first post.  Perhaps my second one wasn't clear but it should be by now.  You did give some hardware advice but you didn't give any dac advice which is your whole point right?  Like I said, seriously nice...

I've connected my macs both ways (usb and digital); they're both fine.  The real advantage of toslink is that it allows you to connect to an av receiver (or a 2 channel rig with digital inputs) which saves you the money of buying a usb dac.  Onkyo has some really good looking new amps with...

If price weren't an issue, I'd' probably opt for the emotivas. But you can pick up the audioengine A5+ open box from Vanns which is undergoing liquidation I believe but with a full manufacturer's warranty for $234 and no shipping.  I wanted to buy the airmotivs but opted for the audio engines...

The Grado SR60s were my first pair of good headphones.     Once you have a pretty good system that you are happy with (and I take it from your post that you are happy with your current set up), then the question becomes what is your weakest link.  I suspect it is the headphones.  In changing...

You lack of a CD drive on the new minis is a drag; it can be fixed inexpensively, though.  You can connect your digital sources either via usb or via a mini toslink to toslink using the headphone output.  

@wuli123: I think you did a nice job of researching your gear and looking for a good price.  It seems that you like the sound of your speakers which is obviously really important.   If you want to save some money, accessories4less sells refurbished gear with warranties.  It is hit or miss as...

@cel4145: you must really enjoy your life.   So if you want to engage in a pretty dumb flaming war, go ahead buddy.  You are clearly enjoying yourself.   Insofar as the sonar is concerned, why didn't you read the 2d message where I edited what i said.  I thought I made it clear that I was...

Quote: I think you should have read the edited post first before repeating yourself.  But if you need to keep repeating yourself over the onboard generic dac on a PC (as opposed to the asus xonar ST that the OP is talking about), please go ahead.  In any case, I'll just disagree with you...

Quote: Well, it really depends on what is onboard doesn't it?  The OP says he is buying a Asus Xonar ST.  I suspect that will work just fine for his purposes.   Edit: I meant to say that the ST is fine in my first post.

The marantz receiver will have no problem driving those speakers which is your primary question.  The Marantz power amplifier isn't going to cut it for your purposes; stick to the marantz stereo receiver.  I wouldn't sweat whether a sound card produces a warm sound or whether a receiver is...

Quote: Emotiva has first rate prices on very good gear.  I haven't seen a lot of online reviews but the few I've read are very positive.  Plus there is a 30 day money back guarantee.

I'd check out the emotive airmotivs, dynaudio speakers, and focal cms speakers.  The airmotivs will be the least expensive of the these three and I've been thinking of picking up a pair of the airmotiv 4s for an office set up.

Quote: I nearly always buy CDs but I've bought some music from both Amazon and iTunes.  Even on a revealing system, I think the music sounds pretty darn good.