The DMTECH seems to require a Windows-based host computer and the CC seems not to, but they aren't very clear about that.

Just to clarify on that point I've no idea what the 'Recommended Operating System' bit on the page I linked to is going on about! The DMTECH is completely standalone and all of the initial setup and configuration is done through the device front panel - you don't ever need to connect it to any other device or computer. AFAIKT the device is running some kind of linux-based OS, but it's completely front-ended through the buttons and rotary knob on the front panel. Which is a PITA in the initial setup when you're dialling in a SSID and complex password character by character, but that's a one-off setup thing and after that operation is dead straightforward.

As for hi-fi quality, I don't see anything in my post to suggest that it is, but then again neither do I see anything in the original post to suggest that was what was required (seeing as how the original idea was to use a laptop to play MP3s). Hence my statement that other models are available, perhaps I should have phrased that 'other devices are available', a slip of the fingers for which I can only most 'umbly hapologise.