fruckman wrote:

I've ripped my 450 CD library to Apple Lossless (MacBook Pro) and stream the content via a first generation Sonos Connect.

My power comes from a 25 year old Rotel RB980-BX with a Rotel tuner-preamp. I'm considering replacing them and the Sonos in part due to age and also to ensure that I'm getting the best audio quality from my digital source material.

I've been searching for a product that combines the capabilities of an integrated amp, a decent quality DAC and a music streamer of equal or better quality than the Sonos.

I'd also considered the Oppo UDP-205 but decided that it didn't address the integrated amp needs and the CD/DVD player was not a high priority.

Would any of these options offer much audio improvement to my current setup? Or, are there other options to consider that are within my budget of $2000?

Thanks in advance for your expert feedback.

I would get the UDP-205, which is excellent in all respects, and hook it up to to the Rotel equipment. There is no reason to think that age has degraded the Rotel gear, which is and was very good.

The Bluesound Node 2 is an excellent streamer with many good features and
includes MQA decoding for only $499.

...and add the UDP-205 - it will function as a far better streamer and DAC as compared to the C 368. The C 368 has a lower SNR than your Rotel, and an inferior DAC when compared to the two 8-channel ESS Sabre Pro 32-bit chips with jitter reduction in the Oppo. You'll be able to rekindle the flame you once had with your Rotel.

The C 368 is better suited for an apartment in NYC, the bedroom, office, home gym, etc.

fruckman wrote:

Bluesound and Sonos provide the same functionality, correct? Is Bluesound really worth spending $500 to replace the Sonos? What would I be gaining?

If I bought the Oppo, could I scrap the Rotel preamp and connect the amp directly to the Oppo? After all, the only piece to be connected to the pre-amp or Oppo is the Sonos.

I'd say keep the preamp. Generally, it's not the best idea to skip a good preamp, even if outdated, but of course there's no saying it won't work out for you; you'd have to try it.