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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
gte357s OP
281 posts
 
@lalitk i read good reviews on the Zen mini III.  And I think it supports CUE.  It is a server which avoids the possible glitches connecting to a NAS.  The only shortcoming is no wireless.  Actually, I have an Ethernet cable but it is used by my TV box.  Maybe a simple solution is to buy a Ethernet hub.  How come I haven’t thought about this before!
The Bluesound Vault in the other hand has wireless but doesn’t support CUE.  

From reviews, it seems the Zen has a better sound?  Is the interface to organize the songs easy to use?  I would like to have a smart playlist based on ratings.  And as a nice to have, it can gather data and auto adjust volume of each song.  Foobar has this, but it seems this is the reason causing the intermittent drop out while updating the database so I remove it.
gte357s OP
281 posts
 
@mahler123 it seems a third option is to buy something like a Mac mini + Audirvana.  It is cheaper.  The Mac mini provides more function.  But theoretically doesn’t sound as good.
gte357s OP
281 posts
 
BTW, on that route, how about Apple TV or something similar?  Can I install apps like Audirvana on Apple TV?
Ag insider logo xs@2x
knownothing
1,610 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.  
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