I have used my Macbook Pro with Pure Music playback program playing CDs ripped as AIFF files into a DAC. Also usb input is asynchronous, placing DAC in charge of data stream vs. computer. . That would make for an improvement over compressed files. The Pure Music Program costs $129 and uses itunes as archiver.
There are other playback programs. if interested in continued use of your Macbook Pre I would start a thread under the Computer Audio section asking a specific question oh how to improve your sonics using one.
There are other playback programs. if interested in continued use of your Macbook Pre I would start a thread under the Computer Audio section asking a specific question oh how to improve your sonics using one.