I was pretty much in your shoes 8 years ago: had CM4, Rotel amp, preamp, CD player. Started itching about upgrades and reading the wonderful comments about vinyl and thought I should go that route. Some experienced forum members suggested not to go that route unless I already had a lot of vinyl, which I didn't. In hindsight, was great advice at least for me.
Of course, the itch remained. Pretty much like Paraneer suggested, I upgraded first the speakers to B&W 804S, then amp to McIntosh MC275, then pre to Lamm LL2, then got a Squeezeebox Touch, then a Metrum Octave DAC, then realized I wasn't listening tot the CD player anymore and sold it, then bought an Audiophilleo USB to SPDIF converter, and now just built my first audio server with a lot of optimizations in it (to replace an ancient laptop used as server). Also ancilliary stuff (subs, room treatments, power, etc). This makes sense, and I loved the journey.
However, throughout the journey I learnt a lot. I now know more aabout audio, but I also know what I like and what to listen for. And if I had to do it all over again now I would buy different speakers. Don't get me wrong: I like my speakers, but I think others would match my tastes better.
So my first question for you to think about would be: why vinyl? Sound can be great, but setting it up is not simple. And if you don't own much music in that format, does it make sense to you?
Digital today can achieve very high levels. The highest levels are tweaky too, just like vinyl, but very good digital can be had for relatively less money and not as tweaky. Digital is evolving fast, so I wouldn't spend too much on a DAC at this point. But I suggest you experiment with a computer as source. Go cheap for starters and learn if you like the convenience of accessing music you want to buy, accessing music you already own from an iPad/android device, etc.
Your new room is rather small, so be careful not to get too large a speaker for it. Maybe it's best to move your existing speakers and understand how the room sounds. If it were me, I would spend a lot more on speakers and drive them with a smaller (cheaper) yet very good amp. Also be aware that when you upgrade your speakers, likely to more resolving ones, they will let you hear defficiencies upstream. Not necessarily a good thing! This happened to me: With the 804S the Rotel amp/pre sounded bright/shrill, and eventually upgraded the amp. I suggest you don't rush to an upgrade and spend a fair amount of time listening to speakers and amps before you buy, and learning about your room, placement within the room.
Sorry for the rambling! Hope this helps.
Of course, the itch remained. Pretty much like Paraneer suggested, I upgraded first the speakers to B&W 804S, then amp to McIntosh MC275, then pre to Lamm LL2, then got a Squeezeebox Touch, then a Metrum Octave DAC, then realized I wasn't listening tot the CD player anymore and sold it, then bought an Audiophilleo USB to SPDIF converter, and now just built my first audio server with a lot of optimizations in it (to replace an ancient laptop used as server). Also ancilliary stuff (subs, room treatments, power, etc). This makes sense, and I loved the journey.
However, throughout the journey I learnt a lot. I now know more aabout audio, but I also know what I like and what to listen for. And if I had to do it all over again now I would buy different speakers. Don't get me wrong: I like my speakers, but I think others would match my tastes better.
So my first question for you to think about would be: why vinyl? Sound can be great, but setting it up is not simple. And if you don't own much music in that format, does it make sense to you?
Digital today can achieve very high levels. The highest levels are tweaky too, just like vinyl, but very good digital can be had for relatively less money and not as tweaky. Digital is evolving fast, so I wouldn't spend too much on a DAC at this point. But I suggest you experiment with a computer as source. Go cheap for starters and learn if you like the convenience of accessing music you want to buy, accessing music you already own from an iPad/android device, etc.
Your new room is rather small, so be careful not to get too large a speaker for it. Maybe it's best to move your existing speakers and understand how the room sounds. If it were me, I would spend a lot more on speakers and drive them with a smaller (cheaper) yet very good amp. Also be aware that when you upgrade your speakers, likely to more resolving ones, they will let you hear defficiencies upstream. Not necessarily a good thing! This happened to me: With the 804S the Rotel amp/pre sounded bright/shrill, and eventually upgraded the amp. I suggest you don't rush to an upgrade and spend a fair amount of time listening to speakers and amps before you buy, and learning about your room, placement within the room.
Sorry for the rambling! Hope this helps.