Questions: I am looking at the JRiver ID 302 to replace the Sony in this setup. Also, I am looking to transfer music files from my computer via the wireless router to the Id and store them there which creates an ongoing backup. Then I would play the music from the JRiver Id to the preamp. Is this a viable setup?
Yes, this setup would work. Just to be clear, the Id won't automatically back-up the audio files, but it will create library back-ups.
I don't see standard audio output jacks on the Id. Can some kind of USB to RCA audio jack be used? Or, something else?
The IdNUC support audio output via 3.5mm audio jack, optical mini (TOSLINK), USB, or HDMI.
Can the Id be connected to wirelessly out of the box? Are there issues using with a computer on Windows and the Id being Linux?
Yes, the Id can be connected via WiFi. You can even use your phone to do this without needing to connect a monitor or keyboard/mouse.
There are no issues with different operating systems. The Windows instance of Media Center will see the Id as a DLNA zone.
Will I be able to create playlists on the windows version of MC on my computer and transfer to the Id?
Smartlists are probably the easiest to transfer, but you can create playlists on your Windows machine, export them and transfer them to the Id. However, non-smartlists rely on file paths, so when you transfer a playlists, the file paths need to match for the new location.
Can the Id be controlled from a Windows 10 computer? What is the best way to control the Id? I have gizmo on my Android phone.
If you want to control Media Center itself on the Id, the easiest way to do this from Windows is with Remote Desktop Connection, which Windows has built in. You just provide the IP address of the Id on your network and you can control it remotely. Otherwise, Gizmo can connect to it as well for playback control.
Am I thinking about how to do this correctly or is there a better way? For instance, while I don't really understand the whole idea of using MC as a server, maybe it is better to set either the Id or the computer as a server but I would still want to be able to push changes back and forth and not be stuck with a one-way street.
I would like to play directly from the Id to the preamp and avoid DLNA if possible because of the inherent issues I run into with router downtime, router not recognizing something, Ip's changing, other various issues those that have used DLNA know about. But, I don't want to give up the ease of rating songs as they play, compiling and editing playlists on my computer, etc.
I know this is not the most concise or clear requirements doc and that is because my priorities are not super-delineated in my own mind. In a way, I don't want to be too rigid because there may be ways to think about this I have not considered. I just know that I like my current setup for many reasons, but, the limitations of DLNA and not having a mirrored backup are two things I would like to change/improve.
This is more difficult to answer. Everyone is going to have their own setup the way they like it. You wouldn't be the first person to use an IdNUC as a media server though. It might be a bit much for only playing audio to a single device. You might be able to accomplish this with and IdPi and your music on an external hard drive.