wanting to take a digital step

Another question about the streamer option, will I be able to stream music stored on my laptop or just from my phone or iPad?

@fourwnds 

You have to setup your PC as a server and stream from it using DNLA, on the streamer aka network player or renderer. I have gotten much better SQ copying the files to an SSD in a case. Then plug it into a USB-A jack. Try it first with a flash drive IMHO any streamer lacking at least one USB-A female input jack is not worth owning. At least Bluesound has always had that. Just steer clear of wifi with it. You control with the phone (or tablet, think mobile) app. Of course you still need a network. If your provider is ComCrap know that "no internet, no music control." For that reason I have been doing the majority of my "local" listening via a Topping M50 It plays SSDs, flash drives and a micro SD card. I can control sans a network and even delete tracks live, with or w/o the remote. Just no folder diving, a major miss for ALL non network players.

Speaking of remotes, for me controlling inputs remotely is much more enjoyable than having "the best" DAC. You have years of musical enjoyment before you have to worry about THAT.

​You do not want to stream from a mobile device. Usually bad sound and when you move it away the music stops. You want them for control only. A streamer is a dedicated computer source. It is not a hub as you seem to imagine. And keep your laptop away from your hifi.

I pay under $11/ month for Obuz, the best.

To get started I would suggest the AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt. and a minijack to RCA Y cable and some RCA cables long enough to reach your stereo from your listening position (or just use headphones).  If you find you enjoy streaming and you want even better sound quality It will probably cost much more than $500.  (heck the interconnects are over $500 if you buy them new).

The streaming services have free trials which will really open up access to so much music. Headphones and the dragonfly will surprise you on how good streaming can sound.

It's taken me over 5 years to get to my current digital setup and comparatively I didn't go the conventional route.  I've learned so much about what makes a difference in the sound during the process and I believe my digital system currently outperforms the dollars invested even factoring in all the Bluetooth, Chromecast, Raspberry PI avenues I pursued to get to where I am today.

I am excited to hear some music that I don’t know about that I will love…Or maybe I’ll go straight to the streamer but If I do go with the Schitt to start with my laptop what usb cord do I need to connect to dac?

You should be very excited! I’d suggest doing a free trial of Qobuz and you’ll be able to explore worlds of new music, and a lot of it is available in hi-res (I use my iPad or iPhone to run Qobuz). I’d also highly recommend not using your computer as a source and invest in a separate streamer that’ll sound much, much better, and when you can pick up an iFi Zen Stream for only $399 it’s not a big investment for the return you’ll get in significantly better sound quality. You’ll likely need a good USB-A to USB-B cable like this one to go from either the streamer or computer into a DAC…

https://www.lavricables.com/cables/ultimate-silver-dual-headed-usb-interconnect-cable/

You’ll also want to run an Ethernet cable from your router/switch or a Wi-Fi extender if your system’s not near your internet connection. I wouldn’t worry too much about accessing the music from your computer as there’s a good chance most of it will be available on Qobuz — I rarely spin a CD these days. Hope this helps, and welcome to the wonderful world of streaming!

@soix

Reading the forums, I know some people frown on the use of Wi-Fi. On the other hand, some say it works great for them. Do you find the use of a Wi-Fi extender the equivalent of Ethernet cable route sonically via a quality streamer?

Charles