Where/how to start?

lyngdorf 112o or naim uniti atom, tidal connect (get rid of spotify, it sucks), speakers... superb sound, one box, done

My pathway was get a DAC to sincerely enjoy. Then get some sources. Currently I have 5 streamers, phono (via a Puffin) and a CDT all remotely selectable.

If you want to go with active speakers you usually have to use their DAC.

I am almost 70… I agree with your thinking.

First, you do have a DAC… the OPPO has a digital input… coax and USB (don’t use the optical). So you can start streaming.

Ultimately you want a high end streamer and DAC and good streaming provider. Qobuz is the best for streaming service audio. I would change to Qobuz… Tidal is pretty good as well, but Qobuz is better. At ony $14.99 / month with the first month free… it is a screaming deal.

Streaming sound quality can equal CD or SACD, streamed files or vinyl at multiple price points at this point in time. You can see my system under my ID… you do not have to go as high end as I have to get there.

To simplify how to look at the formula to get there… assuming you do your homework and get good sounding components… just looking at cost: $TT = Phono stage = streamer = DAC = Preamp = amp. All of my components are very roughly the same cost. My streamer is the most expensive by a bit. This simply communicates that all the pieces are critical and particularly those at the beginning of the signal path.

So, if I were you: I would look into a good streamer… a Bluesound if you want to go budget… Aurender if you want to put your foot on audiophile stuff. Any High end streamer: you plug it in (use your Oppo as DAC)… use your iPad to control it and to log on to your Qobuz account… and the world of nearly infinite music is available to you. You create a library of the stuff from albums you find on the service.

Then if you want to improve your sound further… get a high end DAC.

If you are retired and bored you can rip your CDs to files… but it is a complete waste of time. 

Many thanks for quick responses.

Anyway, I should have said that I am a complete idiot in digital audio.

I have two power amps (Plinius SA102 and Quicksilver monoblocks) and two preamps (Audible Illusions M3B and Plinius M16P). For the starter, I would still keep the amps and preamps for digital music, even though a streamer integrated amps like Lyngdorf TDAI-1120 look interesting.

I use Spotify with BluDento BLT-HD (Bluetooth receiver) from my iPhone.

Can I still use BluDento if I switch to Qobuz? If I can, how would be the sound quality? Bluesound streamer will be better?

Do people usually keep their digital files locally (in computer or usb storage)? Or, subscribe to Qobuz or Spotify? 

I mostly listen to music at home and I am not sure whether I will spend time to covert my CD collections (about 1000) to digital files. Maybe I will do for my LPs (around 3000) if there is an easy way to store to digital format.

Again, thanks for your input.

BRYSTON digital player/server/streamer

BRYSTON dac

all OCC Cu patented CARDAS CLEAR interconnects. They bested my prior silver-coated copper NORDOST FREYs in taming that ad hoc “digital edge” 

All purchased pre-owned on CANUCKAUDIOMART and AUDIOGON,