Where/how to start?


My music source is CD, SACD, and LPs. I occasionally listen to streaming music through Spotify. I don't have a music server or I don't use DACs for any digital forms of music.

However, as I am growing older (almost 60), I've been thinking about making things simple and setting up digital systems. Also, even though it is not lossless, I feel that music from Spotify is getting better recently.

I have a dedicated HT and 2 channel system. I have OPPO 105D and Esoteric UZ1. (Also 5 turntables.) 

So, how would I start? I don't have a budget set yet so it would be tough for you to give any concrete advice, but I'd like to hear about basic and simple pathways to setup a decent digital systems.  

128x128ihcho

Many thanks for quick responses.

Anyway, I should have said that I am a complete idiot in digital audio.

I have two power amps (Plinius SA102 and Quicksilver monoblocks) and two preamps (Audible Illusions M3B and Plinius M16P). For the starter, I would still keep the amps and preamps for digital music, even though a streamer integrated amps like Lyngdorf TDAI-1120 look interesting.

I use Spotify with BluDento BLT-HD (Bluetooth receiver) from my iPhone.

Can I still use BluDento if I switch to Qobuz? If I can, how would be the sound quality? Bluesound streamer will be better?

Do people usually keep their digital files locally (in computer or usb storage)? Or, subscribe to Qobuz or Spotify? 

I mostly listen to music at home and I am not sure whether I will spend time to covert my CD collections (about 1000) to digital files. Maybe I will do for my LPs (around 3000) if there is an easy way to store to digital format.

Again, thanks for your input.

BRYSTON digital player/server/streamer

BRYSTON dac

all OCC Cu patented CARDAS CLEAR interconnects. They bested my prior silver-coated copper NORDOST FREYs in taming that ad hoc “digital edge” 

All purchased pre-owned on CANUCKAUDIOMART and AUDIOGON, 

You do not want to do anything by Bluetooth. You want to use Qobuz service only. While you can rip your CDs to files and store them on a streamer, or network attached storage, or USB drive… this is all old tech.

You want a streamer… like an Aurender N10 (of Bluesound for a budget solution). If your router is not nearby… then just buy a cheap wall wart WiFi extender (~$59) at Best Buy or Amazon. And plug the streamer into this. That is it. You need not worry about files, storage, ripping files, or any of that stuff. PM me if you want to talk about more specifics. Or show phontos of your equipment and setup in your profile and we can be more specific.

Why not buy a subscription to Tidal and stream lossless through your Oppo?  You already have everything you need to get started except the Tidal subscription. Then as you get the urge you can upgrade the streamer, DAC, etc. til your heart's content :-}

The standard "starter" answer is get a Bluesound Node and Tidal Subscription $~600). I prefer Qobuz but note sure if Node supports that. Node got all you need to come out of the gate for your first experience. Just run RCA into one of your Pre or use one of the Optical in on the Oppo, DAC proly better in that unit than the Node. Stream with that while you acclimate to the digital landscape. 

Got wired ethernet at your 2 channel set up or Wifi?