So my AirTunes thingy got blown up in whatever massive surge killed my modem and router a few weeks ago and now I need something to do the same job. I'd rather not get another AirTunes because it will only play stuff off of Itunes.

What I'm looking for here is a box that will my computer network (through CAT5 from my router, wireless is not a necessity here) to my stereo "network", hopefully by Optical cable. Lynksy's has a product but it gets shitty reviews and the audio output is RCA. I need Optical, nigga.

Suggestions? Or should I just get another Air Tunes?

Roku SoundBridge just got Computer Shopper's Best Digital Audio Receiver of the year.

Slim Devices Squeezebox 2 got a 9 (Kickass) rating from Maximum PC.

I don't know if either of these got digital.

That Soundbridge looks pretty tight.....200 bucks is about 100 more than I want to spend right now but its a bitch when you get used to having something and then it dies.

Shop around a little more - you can typically find Soundbridges for around $150 on eBay or other sites. I think it's well worth the money - in fact, I have two. Radioshack had the M500* model for $50 recently, but those are long gone.

*the only differences among models are the displays - all other features are the same