I suggest you look into some Audio Research Reference 6 or Reference 10 linestage analog preamps (no built-in DAC, no built-in phonostage, strictly linestage preamps) or any Audio Research linestage preamps if you can’t afford the Ref 6 or Ref 10 preamps. Any Audio Research preamps, especially their Reference series preamps, will be a big step up sonically from any McIntosh preamps. But all ARC (Audio Research) linestage preamps have no built-in DAC or EQ.
So, you will have to purchase an external DAC or streamer/DAC or CD/SACD player. All high end and ultra high end or uber expensive preamps are pure analog (no built-in DAC) anyway.
If you’re going digital audio front end sources I suggest you look into getting a really good digital front end source components to connect to an analog linestage preamp. There are countless options out there when it comes to searching for either a standalone DAC or a streamer/DAC or streamer + DAC or CD/SACD player that will be superior sounding to the built-in DACs in any McIntosh preamps or most preamps.
DAC or digital circuitry is noisy and will be better off separating the digital audio stages from an analog linestage preamp stages if your budget allows.
