It’s always frustrating when sound quality and usability don’t go hand in hand. However, LMS/Squeeze remains a strong option for sound quality if you’re open to making some compromises. For local files, you can pair LMS/Squeeze with JPLAY for excellent results. If you’re focused on streaming, using JPLAY with MPD and MinimServer can deliver performance that is often comparable, and in some cases, equally satisfying.
To go back to OPs subject, did you read this?