Digital Disorientation

Thanks everyone for the above infromation.  I will be doing some research over the next few weeks and hope to have some "more intelligent" questions next time I post.

You have to define your goals as to what you want out of your system - do you want to play physical media?  Do you want a wireless system?  Do you just want to copy CDs that you have onto a disc, or do you want to "stream" from outside services?   Stuff like that.  Once you know what you want to do, it becomes easier.  But I do agree with whomever above said to go to a dealer and let them help to realize what is possible and then you can select what you want.  For me, I just like having a decent CD player and popping in a disc when I want digital music.  IMO, the other stuff is a PITA, although I think it's another toy to play around with if that's what intrigues people about it.  

Apple makes wireless and computer playback no big PITA

or stream from some co. that charges you by the month

No need to jump into the deep water to start. There are many solid options. You can start for not much using any existing computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone you already own and go from there. Take your pick of source device and ask away from there. Should not take long to get up and running with something pretty decent sounding that way. Then go from there one step at a time as needed.

I am with mapman on this. Would you be willing to use a computer as a server?