Digital Path to Complete my System

My Ayre Acoustics QX-5 Twenty Streaming DAC, along with my Roon Nucleus Plus music server did the trick for me.  Once I was able to find the right digital setup, one that produced the kind of sound quality that I was searching for, I quickly sold off my cd player and my turn table.  For the past few years, I've streamed all my music exclusively.  I'll probably never spin another cd or record album ever again in life.  Happy listening. 

Would appreciate experienced feedback for those with a complete digital chain ( streamer, DAC, clock?, & cables/interconnects) - total package under $18K...

Aavik S-180 streamer: $7200

Aavik D-180 DAC: $7200

Total = $ 14,400

Balance: $3600 for AXXESS ethernet, digital and analog IC cables

I am a little bit into the weeds here... My digital knowledge/background is - how do you say ...less than zero. Speak to me as you "would a young child ...or a Golden Retriever". Digital path...ethernet - streamer - Dac/clock - to my preamp...is this correct??? The clock portion – I am at a loss…??? My experience/purchases with used or "b" stock has not been positive; prefer new with a great warranty & exceptional customer service. Several of the paths mentioned have good/great reviews. I am retired and have put this money aside to finalize my system...it is a lot of $$ for me personally, but will match/complete my system. I will travel to hear the system and make comparisons. To simplify... a one box/complete system or separates? The price point is a stretch...so want do it right...don’t want to hassle with upgrading. I will be mostly streaming but use my CD player about 20 % of the time...open to ripping my 2000+ CD collection into a data bank....pros/cons of this...I have no idea? I have come to embrace the simplicity of the streaming path,,,simple, easy, choice at the push of a button. Looking at different options - can not believe some of the cost/price points...wow?? Looking at a quality streamer, a great/exceptional (very exceptional)  DAC/clock, interconnects/cables that match, easy user interface, reliable, well-made/designed, reliable warranty, great customer service, on-line upgrades, and most important musical equivalent to my analog side.... Am I asking alot???? 

I am a little bit into the weeds here... My digital knowledge/background is - how do you say ...less than zero. Speak to me as you "would a young child ...or a Golden Retriever". Digital path...ethernet - streamer - Dac/clock - to my preamp...is this correct??? The clock portion – I am at a loss…??? My experience/purchases with used or "b" stock has not been positive; prefer new with a great warranty & exceptional customer service. Several of the paths mentioned have good/great reviews. I am retired and have put this money aside to finalize my system...it is a lot of $$ for me personally, but will match/complete my system. I will travel to hear the system and make comparisons. To simplify... a one box/complete system or separates? The price point is a stretch...so want do it right...don’t want to hassle with upgrading. I will be mostly streaming but use my CD player about 20 % of the time...open to ripping my 2000+ CD collection into a data bank....pros/cons of this...I have no idea? I have come to embrace the simplicity of the streaming path,,,simple, easy, choice at the push of a button. Looking at different options - can not believe some of the cost/price points...wow?? Looking at a quality streamer, a great/exceptional (very exceptional) DAC/clock, interconnects/cables that match, easy user interface, reliable, well-made/designed, reliable warranty, great customer service, on-line upgrades, and most important musical equivalent to my analog side.... Am I asking alot????

Step a) Get a high quality drive for ripping all your CDs such as the Pioneer unit below. Install it on your PC and use it to rip all your cds. Don’t use some crappy drive to rip the CDs.

Step b) Set up a NAS (Network Attached Storage) for your house. You can put all your ripped cd files into such a NAS. The streamer will stream all your files contained in your NAS and your NAS can be physically sitting in any room of the house.

You can also buy HIRES official studio masters (digital albums i.e. digital files) and put it on your NAS for permanent ownership (like you had permanent ownership of your cds) i.e. In this case, you won’t be renting your music through streaming services like tidal, qobuz, etc on a monthly basis. You can however use such services to discover new music. If there’s a album you like, you can buy the hires album from qobuz (even a official studio master) for 10 bucks or so and support the artist better.

Streaming such files/studio masters from your NAS is the highest fidelity you can obtain.

The streamers i mentioned in earlier comment will also do your rental services like tidal, qobuz, etc...which is what most guys do (the easier thing.. get rental access to millions of albums...buy and forget).

P.S. Why are you worrying about "clocks"?! The clock’s inside your DAC and a good dac will have a good clock...don’t worry about clocks and never use any external clocks (that some guys may try to sell you).

@jmrrobbie1 Stated " I will be mostly streaming but use my CD player about 20 % of the time...open to ripping my 2000+ CD collection into a data bank....pros/cons of this...I have no idea? I have come to embrace the simplicity of the streaming path,,,simple, easy, choice at the push of a button. Looking at different options - can not believe some of the cost/price points...wow?? "

Firstly referencing my own experiences had in this area, and reining then in to ones had using my own system.

With the DAC that is now in use, CD is used much more than the Vinyl Source, the End Sound is extremely enjoyable. When doing A/B comparisons of same Albums on CD vs Vinyl, it was the DAC in use now that created the condition that when either medium was able to play on for a short period of time, there was not a want developing to put on the other.

CD today has proved a excellent Source and one that keeps the Cartridge from use, meaning longer periods are now to be had before concerning oneself about costly replacements.

There is enough evidence on the Forum and others to suggest ripped CD's into FLAC or WAV files will be as good as CD, even if replayed from a particular type if set up for a Laptop or PC.   

I have embraced the concept of Streaming as a Source for the same points you have raised, as well as the ease of attaining access to a Vast Library of Recordings.

The part I have difficulty with is the idea of Hiring the Music, I never used Record or CD Libraries when I was able to easily walk into a Local Library and do this.

The other part I have difficulty with is the remuneration to the individuals producing the music content. For some half a million down loads are required to remunerate the artist to the same level 100 Hard Medium Sales will generate.

For that reason I attempt to buy Five Albums per Year from New Artists whether from Kick Starter or their Merch' Sales Portals, last resort to buy the usual on line methods, even though this is the most user friendly if a quality issue is discovered and a return of item is wanted to occur. 

My experiences had can't visualise where there is a Streaming Source to be found at monies within your Budget that will be Parity with a well thought out CD Source or Vinyl Source.

Recently an individual I know who has very nice Vinyl Source, who has invested numerous years of their time developing a Streaming Source, and are of the View there is not a betterment to be had in relation in how close they perceived it had advanced toward being Parity with the Vinyl Source. After hearing a Visitors brought along recently released to the Market CDT > DAC in their own system, as well as the CDT > System owners DAC, has now as good as abandoned the Streaming Source as the main Source and replaced it with CD as the Source. 

I can only recommend that a home trial is sought when the final shortlist is assembled.