adding a DAC/Streamer or what

+1 @fuzztone — keep DAC and streamer separate if for no other reason than it opens up tons more options on DACs you can choose from to best suit your particular tastes. I would, however, strongly consider a streamer/server that allows you to rip CDs into it (Innuos, etc.) because once you get used to having a world of music at your fingertips, the act of getting up to load a CD will seem absurd. Best of luck.

go to youtube

watch john darko audio 3 part series on basics of music streaming - good tutorial for beginners, well explained, easy to watcg -- so you are not shooting in the dark

Thank you so much for everyone's weighing in and all the opinions and information. Curious to know opinions on separating DAC's and streamers. In addition to my original question.

raw33, I had the same questions you do about streaming, I also have an extensive CD collection in addition to vinyl. I purchased a Marantz Network CD player (ND8006) 14 months ago without auditioning first (60 day return policy). This ND8006 is like a Swiss army knife: CD player/DAC/Bluetooth/Wireless connectivity/HEOS app controlled to Spotify, Tidal, etc. It also has Internet Radio and Apple Air Play.  I ended up using a Windows 10 computer as a dedicated music server , following Marantz instructions, the Windows 10 computer passes the digital signal unaltered to the ND8006 and the end result: it sounds really, really good for $1100.  I am sure others will disagree but at the end of the day, I will always find a good use for this ND8006 even if I decide to upgrade to separates down the road.

Streamers are Computers masquerading as Audio Components.  They can be optimized for sound by eliminating some of the noise a PC puts into a system, but the more important component is the DAC.  You can also use a DAC with other digital sources to enhance all of them.
  I have 3 systems in my home, with 3 different types of streamers.
In my basement HT system a use an old MacAir with a software program, Audirvana Plus, that optimizes the PC for sound.  DAC is an Audiquest Dragonfly.  In my living room HT I have a Bluesound Node2 that feeds an Anthem AVR.  My two channel system uses a Bryson DAC3 and a Bryson BDP3 streamer.  The Bryston sounds the best but it cost 10 times more than the Bluesound.  The PC was headed for the recycle bin.  Files are from a Synology NAS.
Sonically when played through the same DAC, as noted earlier, the Bryston gets the nod, but I could live with the other two as well.
  My take-spend well on a good DAC.  If you buy a combo DAC/streamer and you wish to upgrade one of the two entities within then you have paid for some functionality that is not being used.  Either use a PC or a mid level streamer.  If streaming is for you upgrade later.