What to judiciously invest in next to improve SQ?

[zambie]

If you invested in a NUC running Roon, you would have points 4,5 and 6 covered. You can get a cheap, powerful NUC made up for you for not very much money (see here:https://devialetchat.com/Thread-AudioLinux-NUC)  and could initially get a 1 year Roon license to see if you like that way forward (I think you would like it very much!). The most expensive item is potentially the power conditioner, you could then audition various cable configurations to suit your pocket/taste.

Axel - appreciate the thought here. Agree that the NUC does appear to be a very attractive option as a source. The 1 year Roon license seems to be a good add on. It's staggering how much some of these music server/ streamers are if you go the branded path. My initial assumption is that this would be the last cog of the wheel where I'd manage to extract improvements in SQ (e.g. mac running room over Roon AIR v/s NUC running Roon ...)