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Need help on buying a streamer / network player

Please help me to pick the right streamer.

I am currently streaming wirelessly from a NAS to a Windows laptop, and play using Foobar2000, digital (USB) out to a DAC.  There are some intermittent "interruptions" while playing.  I think that is caused by Foobar because the computer is fairly new, a powerful one and not running anything.  Also, I can't setup Foobar such that I can create smart playlist based on my rating, part of the reason is I play FLAC files with separate cue sheets.  Thirdly, I can free up the laptop for somethign else.  So, I am thinking to get a streamer, but I have some specific requirements:

1) There is no ethernet cable.  So, need to discover and stream music from the NAS wirelessly, and I can control it using my phone or tablet wirelessly.  If I buy a server and move all my music, than I don't need wireless for streaming, but I still need wireless to control it.
2) Can handle cue sheets.  I can split them up by track, but then it is (a lot of) additional work.  But if I can't find one, this may be one of the requirement to be dropped.
3) When I compare Foobar to Groove, I like Foobar better.  So, I hope the player in the streamer sound as good, if not better, than Foobar.
4) Stable.  No intermittent interruptions or drop out.  I read some comment for the Bluesound Note 2i that it sometimes failed to connect to NAS wirelessly.  Same thing happened on my Windows computer, sometimes the NAS drive disappear.  
5) <$1000 
6) I don't need a DAC, but it seems most of them has it.
7) I don't need multi room support

I am surprised many doesn't support wireless.  I gather the list below, and would like any feedback on them about stability.

1) Yamaha WXC-50
2) Bluesound Note 2i 
3) Primare NP5 Prisma
4) DenonDNP-800NE
5) find another software on the computer

Especially, I am interested to know CUE support, stability, and sound quality.
I know the Bluesound is widely recommended, but I read the audioscience testing saying that the Toslink is having some problem.  It also doesn't support CUE sheets.

Buying a streamer or network player is much harder than I thought.  =(
gte357s
Ag insider logo xs@2x
knownothing
1,602 posts
 
1. “Buying a streamer is definitely harder than it looks.  There are multiple technical issues.  It makes me appreciate popping in a CD and hitting play.”  +1

2. Break your relationship with foobar when you repurpose your computer.  Pick up Roon as your operating system.

3. Have you considered these?
- Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra 
- Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) Network Streamer (a bit over $1k)

4. Or, Keep your computer and ditch foobar for JRiver Music Center.  I did this a few years ago and am enjoying excellent sound and user interface.  JRiver software is much, much cheaper than a decent sounding streamer.  YMMV

kn
gte357s OP
281 posts
 
@knownothing Roon seems need a monthly subscriber fee, or $700 for a life time license.  Since I don’t need multi room control, it seems it is more than what I need.  Do they have a simple player?

i will look into JRiver.  As well as the Audirvana suggested earlier.  Thanks.

for now, I think I will avoid the streamer route except using a computer.  I am worried about technical challenges on playing music from the NAS.

i think my two preferred options are:
1) computer + app other than Foobar
2) music server

i just found out a Mac mini is as expensive.  
gte357s OP
281 posts
 
So, for sound quality, is there a significant advantage using a dedicated music server over a computer?  I think in theory, the main difference is the hardware, where a dedicated music server remove all unnecessary stuff that may degrade the sound quality.  The player also make a difference.  When I compare Foobar vs Groove, at the beginning, I like Groove more thinking it gives a warmer sound.  After more listening, I realize it also not as detailed and switch back to Foobar.  Given a computer, I can try different player.  But for a music streamer, I am stuck with what comes with it, and it is hard to compare which one is better.  These are the trade offs, I feel.
tuberist
951 posts
 
Agee with others who said wireless connection is not the best. I hardwire everything with ethernet cables. Wireless is prone to dropouts, as the OP described. Also a "computer" source is inherently noisy and recommend a dedicated server or purpose built device.
gte357s OP
281 posts
 
Actually, on a second thought, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to have a music server since I already have a NAS.  If I opt for a streamer, it seems I can save $500-$600.  And I am thinking, if I use a Ethernet cable, will it be ok streaming off the NAS?

@mrklas, when you have those trouble in the setup, are you connecting using Ethernet cable or wi-fi?  
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