Wireless music streaming to stereo

Looking for ways to stream music from PC or NAS to stereo via wireless-G or -N home network. So far, there are two types of devices:

1. basic bridge: basically a device that has an IP address, uses wired or wireless AP to access LAN, and outputs songs sent to it from a PC on network. You use your PC to decide what to play. E.g.
   • Linksys: WMB54g. Note: WEP-only encryption. Best price ($80).
   • ZyXel Wireless Music Box: NMP1100W. Similar price, but seems more powerful: supports WPA2, pre-defined audio effects (might be in SW on PC).
   • Sondigo Sirocco 802.11 Wirelesss Audio Bridge: SWS-01. More expensive (almost double) but seems to support more features such as optical output, dolby 5.1, multiple devices on network (though that’s probably standard given use IP)
2. LCD UI: an LCD hides the basic bridge and adds remote so more friendly navigation and no need for a PC. E.g.
   • SMC EZ-Stream Wireless Audio Adapter: SMCWAA-G. Good reviews (e.g. http://www.gearbits.com/archives/2006/05/review_of_the_s.html), has nifty not much documented feature of fast browse to author via keypad on remote. Good price ($110), perhaps even $80 similar to Linksys!
   • D-Link Wireless Music Player: DSM-120. More expensive ($150-180) but can connect external USB drive (flash or not) and internal 2.5″ drive.
   • Netgear MP101: much improved since first came out but about same price as D-Link but not as nice or versatile.
   • Slim Device’s Squeezebox 3. Most expensive ($250).

Oddly, some places charge a lot for shipping. E.g. Directron uses Fedex Economy to Canada for Linksys, about $15 (compared to $80 for item), whereas Compuvest, which sells the item for quite a bit less ($57) uses UPS at $40!! So the end price is the same, perhaps it is a gimmick by Compuvest. I spoke to Compuvest and was not impressed by their attitude.

Another possibility is to connect an FM transmitter to the computer, either via USB or line out. E.g.

1. UX300: range unspecd, 7 discreet freq high, USB, power from USB, Phase-Locked-Loop (PLL), $100.
2. Griffin RocketFM (MFR Part # 4000-RKFM): range only 30 ft, band, USB, $40.
3. Whole house FM transmitter: 150 feet, 7 discreet freq high, line in, power from USB, PLL, $80.
4. Linex USB Pll Fm Transmitter: 150 feet, 7 discreet freq low (88-89), line in, power from USB, PLL, $40.
5. HiFast HFM7F: 150 feet, 7 discreet freq low (88-89), line in, power from USB, PLL, $70 incl ship. Also most compact and “production quality” of all devices so far: like a USB memory stick! One end plug in USB for power, the other plugs in line-out for sound. No alternative power supply (either need access to a PC for power over USB, or a 110V-USB adapter). Company HQ in Toronto.
6. MobileBlackbox V3000, V5000: similar to Hifast, $90.
7. MobileBlackbox V6000: most advanced of all: 450 feet, band, USB etc but has LCD, microphone input, etc. However, only mono output! Currently $180. Doesn’t appear to be as simple to use as the HFM7F, must bigger, but it also supports battery and AC power!
8. EDM LCD: apparently a company in South Africa. Kit, must put together yourself (a bit of soldering involved). 

Web sites indicate indirectly that high frequencies provide better sound, so the discreet freq high items should be prefered.

Note that once I have one of the above installed, I’ll probably be looking at wireless speakers. Many have so-so reviews as the technology is not quite there yet in many cases, but not all: e.g. Rocketfish Universal Wireless Rear Speaker Kit (available at Bestbuy for $100) has received very good reviews so far (it does not use the wifi wireless networking, which is an unnecessary overhead for this kind of application as data is only sent one way and you typically don’t have more than one device sending to the speakers). There are very fancy systems (e.g. Sonos) which use wifi so they can send multiple streams of audio to different sets of speakers in your home, but not affordable ($1000 – $3000 range once you have the essential components).