Auralic Aries mini

[AlexS]

@AlexS
Thanks for the reply very helpful. Part of the problem is I am not really up to date with all of the technology these days so forgive me if I ask a few questions for clarification.
Are you saying a Mac Mini at say £350 will give me AIR with no stability issues, how can this be the case. If I am using the AIR facility will the problems not just persist?
Also what is the difference between me going for the Aries Mini and the Apple Mac Mini? Would the only benefit be I can continue to use the Jriver app and remote?
Your checklist of what to check first before abandoning AIR actually makes me want to get rid of AIR     and quickly too  
Way too much hassle to listen to music in my opinion, but I really appreciate you trying to help me.

The strange thing is right now AIR works for me if I have lap top in the same room as my router, and has done for a couple of months now, so for me it must be a router issue. The trouble is this is not always possible.

Devialet actually offered me a Mac mini when i was originally complaining to them for my original poor guidance when buying the 200. Stupidly I asked them for a Dilaog instead  

@Womaz,
I think, based on the statistics, a Mac Mini is much less likely to give you problems with AIR. Especially, if you don't have anything extra running on it, and don't have it connected to the Internet. However, there is no guarantee: some have trouble even with the MACs.
There are several advantages of a Mac Mini over Aries Mini 
1) Yes, you'd be able to continue to use the JRiver app and remote
2) You'd have a high chance of successfully streaming via AIR, which, in theory, may give you a slightly better SQ compared to USB (this is open to debate, though)
3) Mac Mini will have a higher resell value (although, given their prices, the difference may not be big)
There is one advantage of Aries Mini:
1) it's a more integrated solution dedicated to streaming (simpler setup).

> The strange thing is right now AIR works for me if I have lap top in the same room as my router
Are you wired or streaming over WiFi? If the latter, then it's all about the strength of your WiFi signal. I would encourage you to wire everything.

> Devialet actually offered me a Mac mini when i was originally complaining to them for my original poor guidance when buying the 200
Well, if SPARK evolves into a good control point, you may not be sorry. Or else tell them you changed your mind.