Hey there!

I am new to all this stuff, and finding it a bit overwhelming, but I am determined to sort through, do my homework, and try to get the best quality for my buck.

Right now, I have a fairly extensive collection of AIFF files on my 2006 MacBook, using iTunes. I have this going wirelessly through my Apple TV 3, which is then wired (HDMI or ethernet, I forget) to my Denon AVR-1913. These play through either my B&W bookshelf CM5's or my HD598 Sennheiser headphones.

I would like to step it up so I am getting lossless quality.

I think the first thing I need to do (after reading your FAQ), is to run Amarra or PureMusic concomitantly with iTunes. I guess I also need an external DAC, but am not sure how I will run it. I guess either the headphone jack (which apparently has an s/pdif in it) or the usb. This does mean I will have to have that computer be stationary, next to my stereo, which is annoying; I wish I could do this all wireless.

My next issue is that I would very much prefer having the DAC go into the Apple TV; it would just make my life so much easier. I know I lose some resolution, but for a beginner, I am not sure I need 24 bit; I think I'd be fine with 16 bit. I understand there is also some loss in sampling rate with Apple TV, which lowers the resolution below CD quality. Is there a fix here?

So...am I missing anything here? Will this buy me bit perfect, or lossless, quality?

Any input is appreciated, and I apologize for any "stupid" questions.