I just wanted to set the record straight on Windows 7 and the DSM-520. I've noticed comments relating to disabling every last thing related to uPnP and jumbo frames, and it is either partially incorrect or plain incorrect. Even firmware has been mentioned.
Jumbo Frames existed in XP, so you know this is not the issue.
uPnP has been around forever, so you know this is not the issue.
Firmware - playing on 1.06 fine, so this is not the issue.
So you must look at what has changed between XP and Windows 7. You will find a complete re-write of the networking stack and a bunch of new features. After extensive testing (you can do this on your own by unplugging your Win 7 machine from your router and you DSM-520 and it will start working fine), the new networking features related to the Network Discovery service are the ones holding up the show. You can read up about it taking down old routers on the net if you want, so this problem is not just related to the DSM-520. MS creates drivers in a vacuum sometimes and only tests with their own stuff. Uggh!
Anyway, to solve your problem of freezing (it typically waited about 2.5 minutes into a song for it to happen to me), go into control panel -> select Network and Sharing Center -> Click the change advanced sharing settings tab on the left -> and under Network Discovery, select turn off network discovery. Click Save Changes on the bottom and your freezing problems as related to Win 7 will go away.
-X
PS. I wish DLINK would make a new firmware to address this issue, but I can dream I guess.