Home audio & video forum: Home Digital Music Newbie Has a Bunch Of Questions....

It's probably a better forum for those higher end digital streaming systems, especially the nitty gritty on wich features actually work and which might work well for your particular needs. If you want some decent feedback on the lower priced stuff though (like WD Live, etc.), you could ask about those devices here, along with iPods, etc.

I'll pop back later with more comments on your other questions. Might be easier to separate them into a few posts instead of one though. They take us in many different directions .

Some dedicated digital audio players can be networked, some cannot. Ditto for adding storage/connecting an eternal drive. You would have to do some legwork to find one that does the degree of networking/storage that you require. I'd look around at www.avforums.com for some good info on what high end systems are being used there by folks.

Similarly, some may have apps for smartphones, or simply may use old fashioned but reliable dedicated remote controls. Again, this depends on which model you are looking at.

Since you are referring to obtaining a dedicated player, you would not necessarily require separate software just to play since the new hardware would do this. Ripping/burning, etc. could be done on some models, but this is usually done on PCs so you can control the process better (bitrates, file formats, etc.). There are entire forums dedicated to discussion the ripping/burning trappings.

You could simply transfer the WAV files as to not have to re-rip your original CDs. What's considered 'best' software/hardware to use for ripping new music is somewhat subjective since there are hundreds of options/permutations to try. Some folks like Samsung drives and others like Liteon, etc. Sort of like Coke/Pepsi .

Acquiring a separate streaming device might not be necessary if you find some sort of all in one unit, unless you are requiring a model that does video as well. And a separate DAC might not be necessary if you like what the player can do natively. I would start out by first learning about what capabilities there are in the marketplace, then apply them to what you really want to achieve with your home system.

The Olive system is popular if you have deep pockets.

http://www.olive.us/