Thanks Billybob. Actually, before reading your response I was browsing around Monoprice for exactly that! But now I have a new problem.... I've been eyeing those tube preamps. I demoed an Ocatave Integrated amplifier connected to some Dynaudio Excite speakers. Sounded beautiful.

Sounds like a good option. Can you throw some ideas out? I guess $1k is my max if the external DAC has some other functions that could prove to be useful later. The one thing that's important is that the DAC has balanced 1/4" or XLR output connections.   If I can get something really simple...

Hi, First post here. Anyone know a simple solution for me to route audio from my TV to my XLR Dynaudio BM5a compact reference monitors? I plan to play content from my Apple TV which also has an optical output as an option.   I can't think of any commercial receivers that have XLR out or 1/4...