Yet another streamer options thread...

The piCorePlayer is not an option for my main rig,"

How did you come to this incorrect conclusion ?

@jtucker    The piCorePlayer won’t physically fit where I need it to go.

PiCorePlayer is software for a Raspberry Pi, which is the size of a deck of cards. The raspberry Pi can be had for less than $100 and PiCorePlayer is Free software.

I can afford any streamer that I want, but I choose this solution as the Sound Quality is as good as it gets, and lets you choose the DAC of your choice and more control over your streamer than any I've tried.. I’ve used this for 10 years now.

So you appear to be confused.... I can help you understand, just ask questions.

@jtucker

Also, you mentioned that you require a Screen Display for Album art. With PiCorePlayer you have a number of options. I use Squeeze Ctrl casting it to my TV. So the Screen is 55 inches and OLED resolution. Not a tiny 2x3 inch Screen on Streamers.

Yes, I have 10 Raspberry Pies throughout my home.  Most all of them use USB output to a Dac or an Amp with an internal Dac. You’ve already got and understand the Squeezelite software. So, I think you just need a few tweaks. If your Rpi is a Model 4 or 5 the USB will give you SQ, that is as good as it gets. if your Rpi is a Model 3 or below, USB is not going to work as well.

Get rid of the 7 inch Screen and just use the Rpi.... And as I mentioned, if you have a TV nearby you can display artwork on the TV in a variety of ways. What I do is use Screen Ctrl on my phone and cast it to the TV. I use a Chromecast in the back of the TV.... I get an amazing artwork Picture on my 55 inch OLED TV - With bit rate and Track progress displayed.

I’m not sure where you are going to ’Set up’ your streamer, but an RPi is so flexible and cheap that there are many options for you. 

If I were you, I’d get the Model #4 Rpi.... The Rpi #5 offers no advantages over the #4 for PiCorePlayer purposes. And get the smallest memory also. When I buy an Rpi today that’s what I get.

The Model #4 will also run cooler and be cheaper.