I think that you would find that the Musical Fidelity M3i Integrated amplifier would be a huge improvement in sound quality over the Denon.

I can't say how exactly how you would compare it to the old gear, but I think you would find it very very nice.

Another possibility would be a Cambridge Audio 651A, which has a USB input and built-in DAC. The sound quality of optical links is not always very good.

Sumflow wrote:

I grew up with a MacIntosh 6100 integrated pre/amp amp, later with power guard as a Mac 6200 pre/amp amp.

Gaucho1;301455 wrote:

I'm considering making some changes to my system. I no longer use a turntable… The Mac Mini is the primary source of audio and video, whether I am watching iTunes, Hulu, or Netflix or streaming Pure Music or MOG.

Now I find myself in a similar situation to Gaucho.  I use a iMac to watch Hulu, Youtube and Quicktime.  My 100 GB of music is apple lossless on external harddrives played on iTunes or iPod.  I go into a Denon amp with an optical cable, and fat wires into a pair of JBL-100 speakers.  Would you recommend replacing the Denon with a used Mac to get a warmer more MacIntosh sound?