That is vast arena. Does your transport allow you to plug in and choose a hard drive? If so, this may be a good start. Get some good audio CD ripping software that does error correction, and rip some CDs uncompressed to a hard drive.
Many, like me, use a computer and DAC, but the computer setup, if you want great sound, is not as simple as it might appear. Different ripping software, file types, and methods (no compression, full resolution error free is best); different machines make different amounts of noise that is easily conveyed through the digital cable wires to the DAC and can screw up data by reports....many ways to start right and deal with this; different cables make a difference in all sorts of ways; vibration, EMF RFI; player software used and settings make big differences; system setup to minimize computer processing and associated noise matters; external hard drives used and ways of connecting them for best sound make differences; little filter rigs to reorganize/convert the SPDIF or USB data for better sound....on and on, it all matters.
It is pretty simple if you just copy someone's setup, but looking at all the many choices so many people have tried to get where they are is daunting. Just have to keep in mind the basic needs to get clear with your own choices. In the end my system is pretty straight forward, but it is all the right stuff together that makes the whole great.
Something I love about the computer is transparent EQ integrated with good player software for fine tuning. But only a few of the really good Mac player softwares (I use a Mini) allow extensive EQ... some none, and some minimal.
The more modern approach is to buy a ready-made unit that does all this well, but I personally have no knowledge there, having figured out the computer server.
computeraudiophile.com is a huge resource. If you look around there, you will get a feel of the arena and maybe make some choices from that.
Here is a recent server review I just found. Have not read it, so can't recommend it, but it may help illustrate the all-in-one scene.
http://www.stereophile.com/category/media-server-reviews