Streaming starting from scratch

[littlest hobo]

I’ve been happily playing music via CD player or turntable for ever. However, in an attempt to de-clutter our lives we are planning to go digital...with the exception of keeping my turntable and LP’s...okay, part digital. Basically, my floor standing speakers, cd’s, CD player and spare amps are all being evicted. My husband wants minimal kit and ceiling speakers in a vaulted ceiling. His idea is get a Sonus system.
I’m a digital audio Luddite, but I think this sounds dull and boring, the only Sonus I’ve listened to music through have been bobby basic micro setups and not in the same league as my mediocre leviathan setup. That said I have little idea of reasonable alternatives and I’m running out of time.

My budget is going to be pretty tight, I will buy secondhand where possible. Worst case scenario is, to keep my Rega brio R and turntable, connect up my elderly MacBook - fill it with ripped CD’s, and focus the spend on speakers.

It would be great to hear from you if you have gone down a similar route, what will I need to buy, are ceiling speakers a dead-loss, what to prioritise, mistakes to avoid etc.

Thanks.

[Pieoftheday]

One thing I wouldn't do is get rid of your CDs once you've ripped them. Cant advise on streaming as it's not for me

[struth]

I would get an rpi3 and either a dac hat or digi hat depending on if you have a dac. stream from your pc to that. use a program like audirvana on pc and volumio on pi. control it from phone/tablet or pc. once set up its simple and sounds superb. you will change your mind on dull digital... rip cds and keep them. maybe invest in a streaming service like qoboz or tidal; or even spotify... your good to go and it wont cost that much

[Jimbo]

I would get an rpi3 and either a dac hat or digi hat depending on if you have a dac. stream from your pc to that. use a program like audirvana on pc and volumio on pi. control it from phone/tablet or pc. once set up its simple and sounds superb. you will change your mind on dull digital... rip cds and keep them. maybe invest in a streaming service like qoboz or tidal; or even spotify... your good to go and it wont cost that much

This would definitely be the route I would suggest as I have heard it and to be honest you will surprised how much better it can sound rather than CD into a DAC.

[Stryder5]

Divorce quickly!

But seriously a couple of questions:

Do you have wifi.

Is the objection to speakers size or where they are.

I don't think the option of ceiling speakers will (within your budget) give you the what you're looking for. May suit your husband though.

The simplest solution is a CCA, CromeCastAudio connected via broadband, connected to your amp, music streamed from One of the streaming services, can be controlled by phone or pad.

Keep your CD's they will be able to be streamed to you.

Easy

Gary

I’ve been happily playing music via CD player or turntable for ever. However, in an attempt to de-clutter our lives we are planning to go digital...with the exception of keeping my turntable and LP’s...okay, part digital. Basically, my floor standing speakers, cd’s, CD player and spare amps are all being evicted. My husband wants minimal kit and ceiling speakers in a vaulted ceiling. His idea is get a Sonus system.
I’m a digital audio Luddite, but I think this sounds dull and boring, the only Sonus I’ve listened to music through have been bobby basic micro setups and not in the same league as my mediocre leviathan setup. That said I have little idea of reasonable alternatives and I’m running out of time.

My budget is going to be pretty tight, I will buy secondhand where possible. Worst case scenario is, to keep my Rega brio R and turntable, connect up my elderly MacBook - fill it with ripped CD’s, and focus the spend on speakers.

It would be great to hear from you if you have gone down a similar route, what will I need to buy, are ceiling speakers a dead-loss, what to prioritise, mistakes to avoid etc.

Thanks.

[littlest hobo]

Thanks all. I think I understood about one in every five words, but gives me something to research. Tidal is a good idea and would save time on ripping cd’s, the collection can go straight into the loft. The objection to the speaker’s is relative size, positioning, untidy wiring, general ugliness, and use of spikes; they’re four and a half foot tall, black and walnut (maybe) Blueprint from Keswick audio via eBay and several previous owners. Sound pretty good to me, though I will admit visually they don’t blend in very well.

[wee tee cee]

I’ve been happily playing music via CD player or turntable for ever. However, in an attempt to de-clutter our lives we are planning to go digital...with the exception of keeping my turntable and LP’s...okay, part digital. Basically, my floor standing speakers, cd’s, CD player and spare amps are all being evicted. My husband wants minimal kit and ceiling speakers in a vaulted ceiling. His idea is get a Sonus system.
I’m a digital audio Luddite, but I think this sounds dull and boring, the only Sonus I’ve listened to music through have been bobby basic micro setups and not in the same league as my mediocre leviathan setup. That said I have little idea of reasonable alternatives and I’m running out of time.

My budget is going to be pretty tight, I will buy secondhand where possible. Worst case scenario is, to keep my Rega brio R and turntable, connect up my elderly MacBook - fill it with ripped CD’s, and focus the spend on speakers.

It would be great to hear from you if you have gone down a similar route, what will I need to buy, are ceiling speakers a dead-loss, what to prioritise, mistakes to avoid etc.

Thanks.

the rega amp and turntable are spot on.

you can utilise the macbook as you say by ripping all your cd collection onto it....check to see if the mac has an optical out(the headphone socket often doubles as an optical out?

get yourself a dac that takes optical inputs.

you can stream from the mac....spotify premium is very good.

the google chromecast audio is an excellent streaming solution....again it has optical out(adding a dac will really improve the sound quality).

Speaker wise a pair of frugels like Electric beach or Reiver acoustics can be bespokely finished any way you want, to fit in with your decor.....get your husband to have a look at them and have a say in the looks.