Auralic Aries users

Interested in replacing my EAR Acute CDP and Squeezebox Touch with a one box solution. I've been researching this a long time, but really want a wireless solution that improves upon the sound quality I'm getting out of my SB Touch for listening to Pandora and possibly Spotify, while matching the sound of my EAR cdp when streaming downloads (assuming I get a respectable DAC).  The Auralic Aries looks to be a potentially good fit, as the price is right and it's wireless.

I use AT&T U-Verse for cable & internet service. Wireless via AT&T provided router located in the same room as my listening system in 18' x 26' room... so wireless connectivity should not be an issue.

Questions:
1. I have my CD's ripped to I tunes in AIFF via I-Mac i, but I did not use any special ripping software. I only have 160 CD's... so if it would be better from a SQ standpoint, I can re-ripp using something like DBpoweramp to my MacPro laptop. Do you think this is recommended... or will the Aries view the AIFF files on my I-tunes the same as if I re-rip using DBPoweramp?

2. I'm not interested in paying $20 monthly subscription for TIDAL, but listen to Pandora a lot and want to try Spotify Premium ($10 monthly), but understand I'd have to use Airplay (?) to stream these services thru the Aries, correct.  Having not used Airplay before, can I assume it's relatively seamless interacting with the Aries?

3. Can I assume the sound quality of Pandora thru the Aries with a decent DAC will trump what I'm currently hearing thru my SB Touch?

4. Any benefit getting the latest version of I Pad vs. older, less expensive versions with regards to sound quality and/or compatibility with the Aries?