iTunes alternative, aside from VLC?

I have a unique setup: I use Logitech MusicAnywhere to stream internet audio streams from my laptop to my stereo. But, I'm having one hell of a time getting a GOOD player.

Here's why:
- iTunes seems to have little trouble dealing with hick-ups in my net connection (hick-ups defined as spikes in packets. ping to google go from 20 to 140 spontaneously).
- iTunes however cannot handle alternative audio output. This marks iTunes off my list of viable players. I do not want my random videos, iChat alerts, etc, to go through my stereo. Only my music.

I've been using VLC to accomplish this because it can handle alternate audio output devices independently. However, it's absolutely *horrible* in maintaining a stream connection. If my connection is /perfect/ it goes extremely well. However, any slight hick-up, VLC completely craps itself.

So now I'm left with two options: play ALL my sound through my stereo. Or deal with a crappy streaming player.

Help? I need a third option here. I absolutely despise the fact iTunes cannot properly handle alternate audio output. Pisses me off, to be honest. But, it's Apple. They hadn't thought that far yet (even the Windows version doesn't support this).