I have two Audiotrons. They're nice, but the interface isn't great and it's a pain to have to build a TOC file to load the id3 info every time the unit is hard powered on.

I have since switched to a Roku Soundbridge. The interface is much better. The main drawback, initially, is that the Soundbridge won't stream files from a Windows share. That is relatively easy to get around these days. I have a Buffalo Linkstation I used for the Audiotron and it ends up, since it is linux, that I can run apps on it.

I'm using mt-daapd which is an iTunes server to stream the music to my Soundbridge. It builds a TOC on a little database on the Soundbridge so if either the SB or the Linkstation gets powered off, I can power them back on and get my music back instantly.

The added benefit is that it is MUCH easier to add music to these units since I don't have to run TOCMaker, which can take 30mins - 1hr, every time I want to add a song. I merely add it to the Linkstation and connect to mt-daapd via a web browser and tell it to update its database. It's quick and easy.

The pain with the Squeezebox is that you HAVE to run Slimserver. If you don't mind having your PC on all the time just to stream music, then I suppose it's a toss up between a Soundbridge and Squeezebox - because you have to have either iTunes or Slimserver running for the respective units. I have found it more difficult to run Slimserver on a Linkstation (or Linksys NSLU2) and I like the iTunes interface better anyway. If you fire up your PC or Mac, iTunes can connect to mt-daapd on the Linkstation and you can see your whole library. You can then see any custom playlists that you build on your PC over on the Soundbridge - even though it's streaming music from the Linkstation. It's seamless and works well.

I like the VFD on the Soundbridge better than the Audiotron. It's easier to see and you can change the font size too. Also, the Soundbridge interface lets you search your songs by artist, title, genre, etc extremely easy. There's really no way to do this on the Audiotron. If you want to spend the coin, there is a Soundbridge that is 17" long (M2000) which is really easy to see from a distance. It's about $80 more than the pricy Squeezebox top model. It looks like Roku may not be selling this model anymore but you can still find it around.

Drawbacks? For my setup, the Soundbridge is better than the Audiotron in all ways. If you don't want to run a PC all the time for music or can't find NAS (networked attached storage) that runs an iTunes server, you'd want to stick with the Audiotron because neither the Squeezebox or Soundbridge can stream from a windows share on a NAS or PC. The Soundbridge IS wireless but doesn't have WPA at the moment so you'll have to connect 802.11b. This can be a pain if you have a wireless network that is G-only. The Soundbridge does have SP/DIF and Coax digital outs so you can choose your poison. The Squeezebox probably has better DACs if you're going to hook either one of these units up analog to something. The 990 hopefully has better DACs than the Squeezebox though.

Also, I use high variable bitrate LAME mp3's (--fast extreme or insane). If you use lossless, you may have an easier time with the Squeezebox than the Soundbridge. The Soundbridge can play lossless but I think you have to be running the Slimserver software anyway. Slimserver works with the Soundbridge but isn't officially supported and I don't know how much of the functionality in Slimserver is available with the Soundbridge anyway.