What to add to enhance old analog setup?

I need lots of advice. Here is the long setup:. I have very limited funds right now but am trying to fix up my old analog sustem. First step is probably to replace my ancient Sony CD player with a dedicated laptop that can hold all my CDs in a lossless format(Itunes). My regular laptop in in another room and is not always on so need dedicated one for stereo. Thought about Ipod classic but then have to buy a digital dock and a DAC. I don't currently download music, but envision doing so as more becomes available at higher resolution.

My stereo setup, also ancient, consists of Adcom GTP400 tuner/pre-amp, Adcom GFA-535 amp, Monitor Audio Silver 3i speakers. All were purchased in late 80s/early 90s. Mock if you must but it has met my needs very well. I play a mix of classic rock, acoustic folk, jazz, classical and generally at moderate sound levels. Think everything from John Hyatt to Delbert MClinton to Clapton to Jean-Luc Ponty To Bach. If I understand the info I've picked up, the speakers may be a bit weak in bass [45Hz-25Khz, sensitivity 88dB, 8 Ohms, 80 watts, front ported, 5.5" C-Cam mid-bass driver, 1" gold tweeter. ]The amp is listed at 60 watts but reviews at the time said it is more like 80 watts.

Obviously, the primary problem is to get digital signals to analog setup.My first idea was just to add a DAC. Based on reading all over the web, I was leaning toward a Micromega Mydac or a Peachtree Dacit. Currently only need to hook up the computer, but may want to add tv or dvd player at a later date. There is nowhere local to listen. Then I started to think that maybe an even cheaper Dac plus subwoofer might make more sense. Have no idea what to look for or how to hook that to the old Adcom which doesn't have output specifically for a subwoofer.

Elsewhere on this site someone suggested that an Apple Airport Express with better speakers would be a better choice than a basic freestanding DAC. I am now completely confused. I actually think my speakers sound pretty good and they are a good size and quite lovely.

I currently have about $550 ($675 if don't need the laptop) to spend and that has to include any fancy cables or upgraded power supplies. I am willing to buy used but am leery of buying from private sellers on Ebay.

Apologies for the long message and any advice greatly appreciated.

Addition to my earlier reply, which has not posted yet. Assume it will before this does. Sorry, for split, should not try to do this stuff on my iphone. Takes forever to type- am I showing my age?

Anyway, I could sell everything I have and start over, but suspect that all of it together would only bring a few hundred dollars and not sure that is enough to get anything of decent quality. I've listened to many compact systems in my time and those at the lower price ranges tend to sound tinny or fall apart. Plus, I hate to admit, I have a sentimental attachment to my 5,000 pound Adcoms and pretty speakers. I know it's nuts, but all the reviews online sure indicate that lots of people buy equipment because it looks "cool". I know that when I bought the speakers in about 1990 I could definitely hear the difference between these and cheaper ones and even much more expensive ones, so assume I at least used to have a bit of an ear but - again- limited funds. Years of ballet classes with live music and high school band gave me some idea what to listen for, but have not clue what most of those reviewers are talking about.

I can return the laptop (a Lenovo still in its box, bought because it was cheapest decent quality could find at $200). I have no idea what quality of analog out it has but suspect it has a pretty cheap soundcard at that price. All I need it for is to hold the music. Wish I had not recycled my old desktop a few months ago, could have set it up in cabinet and been done with it!

I thought about a household server hooked to our modem/router, but that would still require something to retrieve the music and the idea is to NOT have to haul my laptop out of my office every time I want to listen to music. I could replace the laptop with an Ipod classic, but know that the analog output on my iphone is rather lacking in oomph. At least it is with my headphones. Fine for running errands and listening to lectures, not for really listening to music. I can set my CD player back up (an old Sony 5 disc player), but seems silly if everything is burned onto hard disk.

I know they make music servers that can hold all your digital stuff, but they cost lots more than I have or can raise quickly. And as far as I can tell there is nothing that could just hook a freestanding hard drive up to that will work. My local Guitar Center and other music stores say that a $150 DAC will suit my needs just fine, but theirs are really designed for recording so they suggested looking online. Are they right or do you really get anything with added expense (please, no flame war, remember I am Newbie to all this and probably can't hear tiny differences)

Feel free to tell me I am clueless, as I am. But I can learn if can find good sources for info. The magazines are interesting,but even if I win the lottery, I am not interested in a $15,000 DAC, so they are off limited use. I am willing to call and talk with people at Sounds Direct, Crutchfields, etc. if that would help, but know they have a perfectly reasonable agenda to sell me stuff.

Thanks for your help.