Going to try digital

The problem with buying an all-in-one solution is it’s like buying a SS receiver that has Blu-ray player and VHS player built-in. There are undoubtedly compromises everywhere to meet a price-point.

If you have a MacBook or a Mac Mini, I would highly recommend starting there and adding either USB DAC or Ethernet DAC. IF you add USB DAC, you will need a regenerator like this:
https://sotm-usa.com/collections/sotm-ultra/products/copy-of-tx-usbultra-regenerator-1

If you are using USB, I highly recommend Amarra for playback app. If you are using Ethernet, I recommend Linn Kinsky/minimserver. These are free. Rip CD’s with XLD on Mac and dbpoweramp on PC.

With this hardware and apps, you can rival and even beat the sound of your vinyl, providing you get the right DAC and digital interface. DAC’s to consider:

Empirical Audio Overdrive SX
DaVinci
TotalDAC
Chord Dave
Aqua
Lampizator
Denafrips Terminator
T&A DAC 8

I prefer Ethernet to USB because you can use any computer and very little mucking around is required to achieve outstanding audio quality. You will need a streamer or an Ethernet renderer for this. I use:
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=156409.0

Or the same interface inside my Overdrive SX DAC. It’s modular. I can stream using Linn Kazoo, also freeware.

See various good reviews on audiostream, as well as shootouts:
https://www.audiostream.com/content/great-dac/

Their best-bits is usually a good place to start.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

WIFI and Ethernet are essentially the same thing, but a sub-standard WIFI implementation can kill the SQ. I sell a WIFI to Ethernet wired converter that does not change the SQ over wired. It can be used with my Interchange Ethernet renderer or any other wired Ethernet device. Uses a hot-rodded Hynes supply.

Darko writes: "Ethernet cable itself can act as an aerial, attracting airborne electrical noise". Total rubbish. The reason that Ethernet is noisy is because of the capacitive coupling across the transformers, also known as "leakage". This is practically eliminated with a good isolator like the EMO EN-70e for $130 or by using optical translators.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

In a setup where Roon core runs on a noisy PC, connects thru ethernet to a Cisco wifi router, and the optimized audio PC receiving from Roon on HQP also connects thru ethernet to the Cisco, would you recommend using just one EMO-EN70e at the audio PC input? Or more, or elsewhere? How about a linear power supply on the Cisco?

First of all, the only thing that matters is the router, not the PC. Don’t waste money on the router, it needs mods.

This is what will deliver great results, even with a Sonos:

1) AQVOX switch added to the router
2) 0.5m Wireworld Platinum Ethernet cable from switch to isolator
3) EMO EN-70e isolator
4) 1.5-2m Wireworld Platinum Ethernet cable from isolator to PC

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

I don’t have a high-end stereo yet and will soon install a Raspberry Pi as a cheap streaming server. Those can be found for < $100 but you may need some technical knowledge to set it up.

Been there, done that.  The Digione card is pretty good, expecially the new one.  My Interchange still beats it.  You can see jitter measurements on RPi here:

https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=154299.0 

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Change the Wireworld silver cables to copper with silver plating.  That will save a lot of money.  Not as analog, but very good.