Streaming

Looks like you have internet-your post. 

For a retired person with a love for music and time on their hands

I think Streaming would be very entertaining.

Other costs:

Monthly music provider- about $15 for CD quality or better. Qobuz, Tidal, Amazon

You can still find and play new music for nothing. Spotify and many others.

If you want help finding and sorting your streamed music

you can spend another $15/ month of Roon's Service. 

The IFI gear seems to be a deal. As are Topping DACs.

Initial setup is the hurdle. Find someone who streams to help you.

Keep us posted on your progress!!

To get up and running easily with, bluetooth, wifi, ethernet, tidal, qobuz, roon, and also get decent sound quality, you can get this 1 device (also a nice match for PASS).

Matrix Mini-i Pro 3 Wireless Bluetooth DAC/Amp – Apos Audio

I gave this unit to a buddy of mine who had no desire to get into the technical woods of streaming. Just plug it in and listen. You would need to subscribe to a streaming service but that is easy to do.

You would connect this DAC’s RCA or XLR outputs into your preamp. I am assuming you have a preamp since you mention a CD player.

If you go with WiFi on this device, it can get a bit tricky, and an occasional reboot of the DAC may be needed when it does not work. With an Ethernet wired connection it works 100% of the time.

BTW - I have a different steaming setup that is as good as it gets but is much more complicated. The suggestion I am making is very good and rather simple.

At 75 now, I have a hate-hate relatioship with computers. I know I'm not very smart, but computers make me feel even more stupid. The last thing I would ever do would be to have to rely on a computer to listen to the music I love so much.

Not going to subject myself to that self-imposed torture. I will most likely die without ever streaming music, but who knows, you may love it.

Whatever you do, enjoy yourself! Regards,

Dan

It can be brutal. But if you are willing to go through a few headaches, the end result is simply magnificent. I am 68 and I got it done.

You can spread out the expense.  Buy a bliesound.  And a ethernet cord.  Blue jeans cable will make any length and Cat 5-8. I trialed Q buzz against Amazon.  It sounds just as good.  $9 a month.  You can trial as many as you want.  Then, if you like, a separate DAC can be purchased.  Schiit,  TOPPING, Denafrips, are few examples.  You will need a COAX for Bluesound to DAC at that point.  Good luck.  It will be fun going back and listening to the entire album that you haven't heard for years.  Don't shy away from nw music, more talented people than ever.