does the sb3 support multichannel 24bit flaci dont have many but enough that i would want to play them if i went for a streamer like the sb rather than a cd player, atm i can play them and other music over hdmi its just a bit of a pain because when i use the remote to turn off my tv the amp turns off as well

Squeezebox Classic (SB3) specs are here. I doubt it can do multi-channel FLAC. The upcoming Squeezebox Touch (as well as the Transporter and Duet) can handle up to 24/96, but I don't know if it has any multi-channel capabilities. If so, it would need to be out of its optical or coaxial digital outputs as there are only L&R analog outputs.

You may want to post over at the Squeezebox forums.

Another discussion on this topic is here.

I think it is possible although I have never tried this because I have no multi-channel amplifier.
The FLAC data must be passed to the SB3 unchanged. Also use the digital output and connect it to a multichannel amplifier.
See http://wiki.slimdevices.com/index.php/Play_DVD_Tracks

looking at the spec sheets the touch would be better if it can do multichannel as the flac tracks i have are 24/96, and the classic can only handle 48khz. i dont know about other audio focused streamers (roku make one iirc) but a pch a110/c200 would do what i want but i always figured the popcornhour gui had more video related features, i havnt read anything about it supporting basic features like gapless playback and replaygain