Hi, I need a little advice on upgrading to a better computer-based home theatre system. I'm on an iMac (24" mid-2009), with a 2.0 Altec Lansing. That's it. I'd like to upgrade from this with about a $2,000 budget. (audio only). I've already budgeted seperately for an external monitor. First, I have a few SACD discs that I've never heard the SACD layer of, but I would like to. I understand one can't play SACD on computers, so it would necessitate connecting a discrete player. Secondly, I have lossless music files which I would like to squeeze the best sound out of. And lastly, I am planning to get an external 27" monitor for photo editing and watching movies. So I guess my potentially myriad questions boil down to: 1). Is SACD quality sound noticablly better than standard CD redbook? If so, how much money does one need to spend in order to hear the difference? Is it within my budget, or should I just forget about it. 2). What is the most straightforward way of connecting everything so that I can play music files from my iMac, SACD discs on a player, and use an external monitor, all with the least number of seperate boxes, DACs, amps and cables, etc. ? Could I make do with just a SACD player and an AVR and pass everything through the latter? Or is there an even simpler or different and better arrangement. Thanks. Edit: Sorry forgot to add...I'd still like to go with a 2.0 system (not much into surround sound).