I don't mind going with an older but high quality receiver but obviously I would have to get an external AD/DA converter with that to get good sound through my computer. What is a good solution?

beoport pc

Just use the line in on the Beolabs... no need for an amp or a receiver

As the BL8000 are active speakers you do not need a Receiver. Just buy a decent DAC. You might also check our pro-ject Audio Boxes. They make very nice and small Audio equipment.

Connecting the BL8000 directly to your Computer is just a good idea if you do not plug/unplug the connection too often (gives a cracking sound each time).

Connecting my computer directly is NOT a good idea. I will either use an older iMac for my system which has a pretty noisy and bad output. Or I will use my newer Macbook Pro laptop which has a better output but means I will have to to unplug it all the time. 

I should probably get a good DAC. What should I get?

I would probably need something with a volume controller, right?

I found this neat little thing: http://www.nuforce.com/hp/products/iconhdp/index.php

Will this work well if I plug in my BL8000 to the headphone output?

Heribert wrote:

Headphone Output is no good idea as this has wrong line level. Take any DAC and control volume level via the MB Pro or use an Apple remote with you MB Pro - should also work.

I don't think I can control the volume from my computer if I'm outputting digital signals through an optical cable. 

I did this: Bought a cheap E-machines, upgraded with a good sound card and ran my BL 8000 directly from the line out.

Later I bought an Onkyo amp/reciever, connected the comp. with optical cable, connected the 8000s to the amp. and yes I can use the volume control on the comp. and the reciever.

I use my amp. for sound from TV, blu-ray, dvd, Set top box and turntable, do not buy a cheap amp. buy one with a lot of inputs and outputs, this will make you more flexible, when you add new or more devises.