+1 @ghdprentice.
Without debating the benefits of one format over another, I started much as you, wanting to enjoy my CD collection at a higher level of SQ without spending a fortune. Starting with what I thought would be a minor $600 upgrade, I turned to this this forum for advice and went through two or three systems over a year and a half before settling on the components I now have.
I am very happy with this system and its SQ. I favor detailed and balanced reproduction that comes as close as posible to what I know/remember a live acoustic event to be. My system is based on an Innuos Zenith Mk3 streamer which easily ripped and currently stores/plays my 650 or so CDs. The Innuos also servs as a Roon core. With a lifetime Roon and monthly Qobuz subscription, suffice it to say, my CDs now serve as approx. 250lbs of ballast in my living room stereo rack/center.
As a side note, I had a lot of fun doing this and did not really loose any money. Yes I spent more than expected, but IMHO it was not wasted. Per, ghdprentice and many of the other more reasonable members of this forum, the DAC you select is very important, but so is every other part of your system. Each component/IC/tweak matters and serves to further or hinder the sonic mission of every other component. So, a lot of this depends on trial and error, and personal preference.
Also, digitally, a lot can be done with relatively little money. I put together an office/headphone system that consits of a Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra and Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 with a generic LPS and my prior Audezee LCD-1 HPs for about $1k. This system was purchased pre-owned, piece by piece after much research on this forum and various audio reviews -- it sounds nearly as good as my main system as listed in my profile but does not as of yet nclude an amplifier and speakers or powered speakers.
Without debating the benefits of one format over another, I started much as you, wanting to enjoy my CD collection at a higher level of SQ without spending a fortune. Starting with what I thought would be a minor $600 upgrade, I turned to this this forum for advice and went through two or three systems over a year and a half before settling on the components I now have.
I am very happy with this system and its SQ. I favor detailed and balanced reproduction that comes as close as posible to what I know/remember a live acoustic event to be. My system is based on an Innuos Zenith Mk3 streamer which easily ripped and currently stores/plays my 650 or so CDs. The Innuos also servs as a Roon core. With a lifetime Roon and monthly Qobuz subscription, suffice it to say, my CDs now serve as approx. 250lbs of ballast in my living room stereo rack/center.
As a side note, I had a lot of fun doing this and did not really loose any money. Yes I spent more than expected, but IMHO it was not wasted. Per, ghdprentice and many of the other more reasonable members of this forum, the DAC you select is very important, but so is every other part of your system. Each component/IC/tweak matters and serves to further or hinder the sonic mission of every other component. So, a lot of this depends on trial and error, and personal preference.
Also, digitally, a lot can be done with relatively little money. I put together an office/headphone system that consits of a Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra and Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 with a generic LPS and my prior Audezee LCD-1 HPs for about $1k. This system was purchased pre-owned, piece by piece after much research on this forum and various audio reviews -- it sounds nearly as good as my main system as listed in my profile but does not as of yet nclude an amplifier and speakers or powered speakers.