FWIW, I use a Vortexbox Appliance, available from Little Green Computer. It runs on Linux and uses FLAC files. To batch convert your music to FLAC, I recommend dBPoweramp. I currently stream the Vortexbox over my home WiFi network to my Squeezebox Touch, but I am sure other streamers will work, as the Vortexbox is DLNA compliant. I think there is a list of compatible gear at the Vortexbox forum. This is a very economical way to go, if not necessarily the ultimate in performance. But I can't complain - my files sound great on my system.