My Bluesound Vault 2 died. Where to next?

Don't know what happened-- I approved a player upgrade (not the software) as I have many times before, and now I have a steady red light and my app can't find the player.  The unit was purchased new in 2014, so I guess that's pretty good for a modern computer-type thingie with a spinning-disc hard drive.  I have all my music backed up in uncompressed .wav and also have the CDs, so I'm not freaking out, but I am a bit overwhelmed since there are so many more options now than in 2014.

In my setup, I fed data to the Bluesound via .75m ethernet and passed the digital out of the Bluesound via spdif to a Mytek Brooklyn DAC.  I'd like my next server/streamer to do the same.  In case you can't access my virtual system, I run the DAC to a Line Magnetic 518IA integrated and out through Merlin VSMs.  I listen to my library and have a hifi Tidal subscription that I really like.

First question is whether I need integrated storage in a server or if I can just put a 256gb usb thumb drive into a streamer and use that as my NAS, and if so, priority would be given to a streamer that can do this seamlessly.  If I need a server for onboard storage, then I will definitely want SSD storage so there's a lower risk of drive failure.

I suppose I could just get a current Bluesound product.  11 years isn't awful for the price I paid and I do like the Bluesound app.  Wouldn't mind taking a bit of a step up in hopes of enjoying digital more.  Don't want to open a "bits is bits" battle but I am curious whether a higher quality of server/streamer will affect the sound quality a lot, a little or otherwise.  Especially since the power cable to my PS Audio Stellar Phono cost more than 2/3 of the Bluesound-- I have a bit of budget headroom.  Along those lines,  Budget is preferably $1500-$2500 and i'd love to buy used unless that's something "not to be done" in the case of a server/streamer in the fourth quarter of 2025.  I have a vague idea that Innuos, Aurender & NAIM have esteemed products in the general area of what I want.  I'm open to suggestions, including that I need something totally different.  I really do want an easy set & forget system.  I found the Bluesound really easy to integrate with my system and lifestyle, so don't want something that I have to supervise a lot.

Thanks in advance.

D