Upgrading existing system - traditional sources vs. digital streaming ?

[admin_exported]

Existing system Arcam Alpha 7R amp, Alpha 7 FM tuner, Alpha 7 cd, Tannoy Mercury M2 spks on Atacama stands. Reasonably warm and detailed sound, no problems, 10 years old, might fetch around £500. Music is classical cds and radio 3.

I am now looking to upgrade with a budget of £5000.

My question is - do I stick with the traditional sources, just better quality and add SACD, or do I enter the glittering world of digital streaming ? Putting aside the additional functionality (internet radio, studio master quality files available online etc.) what are people's views on the purely audio quality of these devices ? If you have experience listening to digital streamers, which would you choose from these options :

1. sell existing system adding proceeds to budget, buy new (traditional) system of amp, tuner, cd+sacd,spks for £5500 (naturally following best advice from What HiFi?)

2. add Linn Akurate DS (£3500) and NAS (say AVA RS3 Music Server £812) to existing system

3. add Slim Devices Transporter (£1200) and NAS (£812), keep existing tuner,cd upgrade amp,spks for £3000

4. as 3 but discard cd, rip all existing cds for Transporter, upgrade tuner, amp, spks for £3000

For 2 I think I may be wasting my money on the Akurate given quality of my existing amp/spks but cannot afford Akurate + amp/spk upgrade.
For 3/4 I do not know if the audio quality of a ripped cd (FLAC) streamed through the Transporter competes with a cd/sacd unit of comparable price.
I think I should I keep an FM tuner - or do the latest radio 3 live or on-demand streams compete in quality ?

Thanks for any opinions on this.

 

[Anonymous]

A couple of things that I have discovered recently is how good radio stations sound off Freeview when played through my AV system, also just how excellent it is to put CD's losslessly onto a hard drive.

So I would look carefully to see if you need the to go to the expense of a Tuner or new CD player.

The Sooloos Control:One is well worth a closer look at, which could give you a clearer direction in which to go.

 

[Anonymous]

Streaming is quickly taking over but if it's all new to you then you might still want to play CDs in the interim.

Consider a CD player with a digital input. This will allow you to put discs in and use as a CDP, but also you can plug a streamer in the back.

My suggestions might be a Cambridge 840C and an Apple Airport Express.

You could buy a cheap, quiet computer to rip the CDs - Mac Mini - and a big harddrive for additional storage.

Control it all wirelessly from iTouch.

That's the source sorted.

Team it up with the matching Cambridge Audio integrated and then audition as many speakers as you can until you find your perfect match.