Been away for a while, need some help


OK folks, I have been away from the audiophile market for a while, about 10 years. Moved, built a new home, now I have a new home and beautiful finished basement with a dedicated area for music. My equipment is a little dated, but I am finally starting to enjoy listening again. I currently have a Classe CA-151 amp with a Classe SSP-25 pre and a Sony DVP 9000 ES player all on a pair of B&W CDM 9NT. Pursit Audio Musaeus speaker cables, Kimber Hero interconnects. I don't do video anymore so the SSP 25 and DVP 9000 are just 2 channel audio. I used to have a lot of SACD's but we had a break in 2 years ago and a lot of CD's were stolen among other items. 
I just started listening again and I realized how much I miss just listening to music. I was going to start repurchasing some of my favorite disc that were stolen like some Alison Kraus SACD's, but a friend turned me on to Qobuz. So I am trying a free trial and I plugged my MacBook Pro into my pre via cheap cable through the headphone jack. Listening to an Alison Krause CD I used to own on SACD and I must say it sounded pretty darn good. I was going to look at buying a new CD player since I know my Sony is pretty dated and I don't really have SACD's anymore so now I am exploring the thought of a streamer. 
This is where you all come in. Given my situation, what do you suggest. A decent streamer? I started looking and I am seeing everything from $500 to $5000. Its a stretch of the budget but I was intrigued by the Auralic G1. I have to admit the thought of maybe getting rid of the ugly CD cabinet and just streaming is enticing if it is worth it. I must admit tonight was the longest I listened to music in a loooong time listening to the Qobuz on the MacBook pro and listening to everything from Alison to Coltrane. I don't want to crazy anymore but I really enjoy music and I may eventually sell the classe stuff for some tubed integrated down the road, but I think the digital upgrade is my immediate need. I appreciate your help and direction for someone who has been away for a while. 
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Showing 4 responses by ovinewar

It may also be possible to just use a rpi to stream to your Sony. I don’t recall if yours has a digital in. BTW....don't ditch your CD player immediately.I still enjoy mine very much and will most likely keep it. 
JM,
I was in your exact spot not long ago- ironically I also have a Sony ES combo player. If you are a DIYer, try a raspberry pi with an Allo or Hifiberry DAC hat. I use Volumio as the software- small subscription fee required, and am very pleased. It wasnt difficult to set this up..and could have been easily nder $100. An RPI ZERO W from the PI Shop is $15-20, case is under 20, and the hat, possibly an Allo mini-bosd is under 40. You could also buy an RPI 4 and it woukd be multi useful down the road. Mine is set up in a small box with a screen- it looks like an audio component and can run Tidalnor Qubuz
Mlsstl,
I don't want to hi-jack the thread, but curious which RPI you use and what OS. I have an RPI4 W/HifiBerry DSP +DAC running Volumio.  I am contemplating a ZERO with an Allo miniboss for a camper and while Volumio works great, curious about others.
Agreed on the streaming. I still play CD's regularly and probably prefer it. I also listen to Tidal. I buy what I love, but Tidal opens new avenues.