Won't the new Squeezebox Duet Handset go some way to offering the type of remote that you require.

If you want the Apple style interface, can't you achieve that using an SB set in iTunes mode and use an iTouch for control?

My personal preference would be to base something around PC (or MAC) architecture as it will be easily upgraded, any of these upmarket streaming boxes (with HDDs) will eventually become out of date and very expensive to upgrade no doubt.

If you are feeding the digital stream into a Meridian piece of kit anyway then paying for a decent analogue stage within these units is also a waste of money (IMHO)

I've gone the SB route, and have several of them, each connected to different systems in the house. I'm yet to try a transporter though have heard an SB+ (and was very impressed), but again there is a lot oin the analogue side of the SB+ that I just don't need. Yes I know that there is a digital only version, but I can't get my head around whether it as actually better than what I have at present:-

SB3 with Linear PSU -> 518 -> 568.2

Mr Perceptive