If you have a robust cd collection, no extreme need to embrace streaming for digital. Of course cds and streaming don’t affect your analogue ambitions at all.
if you do move in the direction of streaming, be sure to choose a hardware/software approach with the best and simplest user experience available. The blue Sound vault may be a contender. I haven’t used one personally but I have heard good things. You start by popping in a cd just like a CD player. It copies it to its internal storage, you do this for your entire collection, and you then access your digital music with a smartphone or tablet. You can keep your cds forever in boxes, or get rid of them at some point.
If you master this, and start with streaming your own collection, the next logical step will be to experiment with accessing non-cd digital music from the same piece of gear. Baby steps :-)
i belive crutchfield sells this piece and offers a 60 day return, gives you two months to experiment to see if you like it!
the blue Sound vault has a dac built in, but also has a digital output to connect a better DAC of your choosing. It also has a small footprint. If any of this is mildly intriguing, give crutchfield a call and talk to someone who knows bluesound well to get the skinning.
i know I veered off from the original point of this post, but when I see someone reluctant about technology I tend to look for a solution. No need to shy away, it an be easy if done smartly, and I think bluesound has a good approach.
oh, last but not least, bluesound makes little self amplified speakers that you can put in other rooms away from your hifi setup. This means you can access your digital music on the patio or in the bedroom, or elsewhere. It’s really cool.
good luck!
