CD Alternative


At present I have around 1200 CD's which are played on a Cal Audio/Benchmark DAC 1.  I am looking for some guidance regarding the potential use of high res streaming or ripping and having a server.  I have no idea which option/equipment to pursue or if there is another option to consider.  This all started when I recently went to audition speakers with a few CD's but discovered this was the old fashioned way and instead used a "Roon Streamer" I think.   Secondly the Cal Audio is about 25+ years old and the DAC 1 is 16 yrs old.  Thanks in advance for your responses as I am absolutely confused with the digital path to take. 
xagwell

Showing 2 responses by blkwrxwgn

Ignore the CD vs Streaming debate, it's an age-old "my generation's version is better" conversation.  Then you have people now buying up reel to reel players to get a more "reel" experience (sorry for the pun).

Streaming is almost a lifestyle change, I never listen to a full album anymore when streaming, if I want to listen to a full album I usually go to vinyl but when I want to stream music it's usually because I want to jump around and listen to multiple types or artists.  I've made playlists for different times of the day or moods, I've also learned a lot about the music I love because of Roon, which is one of the coolest platforms ever for music.

I would say get yourself a Qobuz and Roon subscriptions and a simple streamer like a bluesound node and a new DAC.  Use the transport you have and plug that and the streamer into the new DAC and start experimenting.  

If you like streaming then you've got it but I would look at it as an addition to what you have and not a replacement.

Uhhhh what? A person liking playlists or searching for new music or whatever, has nothing to do with bad sound quality lol

very odd statement and generalization.