Best streamer for a returning audio guy

Whatever you decide (or have decided--have not read to the end of this thread) to do, DO NOT SELL YOUR VINYL! EVER. You have 1500, and therefore a good investment of titles that probably fetch over $30 each today. And while vinyl may one day be equalled by digitial, it will probably never be surpassed. It will always be a venue where some tracks "just sound better" to YOUR ears (and the same will hold true for digital).

If you have merely 20 LPs, then that’s a different ballgame, making a hefty investment in vinyl debatable.

If I were you and had 1500 LPs, I would have BOTH a superb turntable AND DAC/Streamer. Just skip a year or two going to Europe. Or sell that third condo. You know? ;)

Some have suggested a "vinyl-centric" system for you. Yes, a great path. But I've been bitten by the convenience of streaming and the gap between digital and analogy (vinyl) is getting so close that the enjoyment begins to fade every time you have to get up off your ars and change an album just because you only want to hear a few tracks.

Again--DO BOTH. Without compromise. My two cents.

I don’t intend to sell my vinyl collection. Many of the lp’s are no longer available and can’t be replaced. I have an extensive collection of mobile fidelity masters, direct to disc, gayle and more. Many of them are still factory sealed. My local hi fi dealer was shocked when I told him what I have. He wanted to buy(trade) for some of them. 
 When I was in college and worked in a hi fi store selling and installing equipment. After getting paid,My first stop was the record store. Bought everything I could afford. Didn’t have a tv at that time, so we listened to music. My collection could be considered quite eccentric. From original frank sanatra 78’s, to classical, to Michael Jackson. I have 3 copies of “thriller” , 2 factory sealed still!! 
  All were stored properly, those that were opened have rice paper sleeves. All have been stored in wood crates vertically for as long as I have had them. I will say moving them has been a real pain. But, it has been worth it. 
  I have a decent turntable at this point, a great cd transport, and just gota bifrost last weekend. I’m looking for a reasonable deal on a bluesound node, or audio lab 6000n in the future.

 My house is under renovation and I can’t enjoy my system as I would like to. Living out of the living room stinks. However, my wife is enjoying watching tv in bed!!!! Hopefully, soon all that will be done. I’ll post pictures of my humble system then. Thanks for the kind words , it’s appreciated. Twodogs112.

Twodogs,

I too am on the Bluesound Node bandwagon, but get the newest version 3 model (back to just being called Node). As was mentioned previously, it is quite an upgrade from the Node 2i: faster processor (1.8GHz vs 1 GHz), better on board DAC (32 bit/384 KHz vs 32 bit/192KHz), and USB out which the Node 2i does not. Do replace the power cable, I use Pangea and Cullen cables for the Nodes.....but cheaper ones can also work

The best bang for the dollar is the Blusound Node 2i. Sounds great through a Shiit Biftost DAC. The Bluesound is a bit harsh with no  external quality DAC.