You may want to consider a different path. Do you really want to get into computer audio or do you want to:
"Build a library that I can pick and choose what to play- mostly for convenience & background music. Record music from some/all of my other sources. Download music."
You can do almost all of that by connecting a Sonos to your existing system (which is very nice) with a set of RCA cables and accessing your iTunes library.
Just a thought. I have considered computer audio, but never thought it was worth the time or trouble. I do like being able to play music I have on iTunes through my stereo, including CD's I have added to my iTunes library.
"Build a library that I can pick and choose what to play- mostly for convenience & background music. Record music from some/all of my other sources. Download music."
You can do almost all of that by connecting a Sonos to your existing system (which is very nice) with a set of RCA cables and accessing your iTunes library.
Just a thought. I have considered computer audio, but never thought it was worth the time or trouble. I do like being able to play music I have on iTunes through my stereo, including CD's I have added to my iTunes library.