[vviner]

As a longtime Windows user, I am not sure about how to use an IMac with my home stereo system. I would liket to rip all my Cds on the hard drive and use it as a jukebox connected to my stereo. Is the sound card in the new IMac high quality with RCA outputs? Are there other sound cards that are better and will connect directly to a receiver? Is anyone using Macs for this type of setup? Any suggestions?

[aladdinsane]

For better quality you might want to consider external DAC. I use StereoLink. It is a decent USB audio DAC. It works with Windows, Mac, Linux and whatever system that supports USB audio - no special drivers needed - i.e. most recent system come with USB audio drivers.

There are many USB audio DACs out there and you will find on their websites justification why to use external sound system. But the bottom line is that the worst place to put your soundcard is inside a computer, you will never get clean signal.

Another reason is that you can place the DAC close to your stereo, it is better to carry the digital signal long way. There was huge improvement when I switch from long audio cable to long USB cable. Of course the USB has upper limit (15 or 25").

I have had my StereoLink for a year now and I love it, good sound quality (beats anything soundcard I've ever heard) and it is not too expensive ($100+). But shop around, there are many other options.

Good luck