Changing from Vinyl to Digital in Brave New World

Some good thoughts here. I am a creature of extremes, so the issue of 'downsizing' but not 'downgrading' meant a total reconsideration of approach. I could probably find a TT which places fewer demands, like the space and isolation of airpump for tonearm, that the Kuzma XL/Airline demands. The AV Duo is not well suited for nearfield listening, and my usual 'go to' speaker type, a planar, is either too big or too limiting in terms of bass (still, I'm gonna restore those old Quads someday). So, once I think about the leap to a smaller monitor (Magico? I haven't listened to the new crop of great smaller speakers), I then get into amp issues- I know the ML2 can be used on dynamic speakers, but it may run out of steam. I like the idea of culling my top 500 records, that wouldn't be too hard - the pleasure of having thousands is the surprise of pulling something out you never heard, or haven't heard in decades. But it takes up alot of space. Right now I have a dedicated room for listening, and extra space nearby for lot's and lot's of records.
I'm considering a smallish house, or possibly a modest loft space, right in Austin. (If I lived far enough outside of town, I could have a free-standing building just for listening, but I don't want to have to drive much to get to town). And though Texas is reasonable by NYC standards, a big house or lux loft in town is anything but cheap. (We have taken a big hit on real estate in the Northeast, Austin much less so).
I don't really have to do anything right now, because if and when we move the hi-fi won't be going at first, my friend, a dealer, will likely help me break it down and store it.
I do like the idea of no fiddling but am worried that computer audio, leaving aside the sonic compromises, involves its own set of PITA processes, compatibility issues, file format issues, etc. I find analog audio enough of a challenge, and i have never been intuitive when it comes to computers.

Boy, that is a tough problem for someone so into vinyl. If it were me, and it surely isn't, I would cull my collection to 2000. Store the rest or slowly sell off. Keep the 2000 LPs in a closet on shelves and buy a great, compact, set and forget table like the new SME 20/3A. No isolation, no pumps, little space. Also a pair of small monitors after careful auditioning and a Class A SS amp (or integrated) appropriate for the speaker load.

Live with that for a while as you very slowly explore the rapidly changing world of digital files. Go computer if you are comfortable enough, otherwise a high quality CDP, but honestly, I don't see much space savings really.

If you go iPad and docking station with computer speakers fine. Then you'll save real space, otherwise, maintain great sonics and the history of your collection.

Sounds like a fun way to begin retirement. Enjoy it.

You'll need to get a smaller Guanyin!

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CDs are getting as vintage as vinyls. What's the point of switching to digital when you can get HDD or SSD based computer or network player system with top line modern DAC that would get you much closer to analog than conventional CD/SACD player?

Peterayer: I think you nailed it- a turntable with fewer demands of space, time and energy, and killer smaller speakers. The contrarian in me, after so many years of basic amp-preamp (currently add the third box, phono stage) loves the idea of an integrated. On the digital side, I'm way more intererested in non-CD digital audio, and maybe as you suggested, I could experiment. It is obviously the next wave and while i've never been a computer hobbyist, it might be fun if tied to music. As Rtilden pointed out, there is the temptation to get all crazy on that front, and be in the same place, with expensive black boxes.
Part of this is also motivated by ease of use. I hate to admit it, but the notion of warming up the tube amps, warming up the cartridge, etc. is always an obstacle to just playing music. And, if I don't buy or rent a space with a dedicated room, I'll have the system in my living space, which raises additional issues (ahem, two cats, ahem).
As to space saving, the current pile of vinyl takes up a good amount of space. I just computed, very back of the napkin, using 100 discs per linear foot, and actually probably have 10,000 records, maybe more. The frightening thing (maybe this thread should be relabelled -confessions of a vinyl junkie) is that I have never organized them. Oh, yeah, when i find yet another copy of Way Out West, or the umpteenth copy of Rickie Lee Jones' first album, I put it with the others. How many pressings of Tea for the Tillerman should one person own (especially when the UHQR boxed set that cost stupid money, even when i bought it at the time it came out) sounds far less lively than the island pink label that I bought off the street in Greenwich Village for a buck?
Thank you for helping me think this through.
So, should I start another thread on serious, trouble free turntables? (SME sounds terrific; I had the Kuzma Reference before the XL with a Triplanar and it was also set and forget, no isolation issues; any others that are of this ilk?)
And integrated amps (I love the Dartzeel concept, even the fact that it measured lousy per that Stereophile review; Burmeister? Boulder? I don't need one with a phono stage if I keep the Manley Steelhead, but here we go again with boxes).
And, monitors: I want to hear the Magico V3 which seems like a lot of bang for the buck, used; I have never really warmed up to Wilson speakers. Any other relatively small killer monitor style speaker that is a must listen to and would enjoy a relationship with a SS, rather than tube amp?
Man, this feels like a sex change. But fun. :) Thanks everybody.