What to buy....Auralic Aries, Sony Hap-ZES, or Auralic Altair?

I have the Sony HAPZ1ES music player/server and am very happy with it.  It has everything you are looking for and I have never, ever had any software glitches.  This is one piece of equipment I will be keeping for a long time.

Given OP's budget and "great sound" as a criteria, even if you love the Aurelic Lightning DS app, you're not getting great sound vs. the Aries with LPS within his budget. The LPS makes a big difference. Mini is targeting a lower budget and includes a mediocre built-in dac so it can be used in lower cost rigs without a separate dac. 
The Bluesound and Sonos mentioned IMHE aren't at the level of the Sony or Aurelic Aries sonically. The Sonore is head and shoulders above all of them and it isn't close. I have interest except spreading the word on what is IMHO a real game changer in this category. Read the 2 big reviews by Computeraudiophile and Michael Lavorgna and watch the video review by Hanz Beekhuyzen. They all come to the same conclusion I did. That doesn't happen too often. Cheers,
Spencer

Thanks everone, there really are so many options, that is why I am trying to find out as much as I can...I don't want to make a mistake after I spend the $$. The Sonore does look very interesting. I am still going to do more investinging!

So one odd thing, despite Android phones dominating the market, many streamers, including Auralic, do not have Android control apps. That's a complete non-starter for me.

I'd have to go with a Rasberry Pi with Squeezebox emulation and fancy clock mods.

Best,

Erik

Sony. Probably the best audio buy I'll ever make. Had mine for 2 yrs and runs, looks and sounds flawless.