VPS hosting vs dedicated server?

I wsh to run an IceCast/ShoutCast audio broadcasting server. I estimate 5 - 10 listeners would be tuned in max. so I'm not after anything hefty.

It's been suggested to me that a dedicated server would be better than a VPS, although for cost reasons VPS seems perfectly acceptable to me.

So far I've been offered some Windows hosting with the sole ability to stream audio, and some Linux VPS hosting with a lot more capabilities for less money. I've been offered the opportunity to share a VPS server with someone else, and thus share the cost.

Other than this, I've considered Linode, which seems to be pricey in comparison.

I won't need *that* much bandwidth, just more than my ADSL can provide. I can only support 2 or 3 listeners at a time at present, and usually when I start broadcasting those slots fill up pretty quickly.

And I don't want to reduce the quality of the broadcast.

Given that I'm on a very tight budget and want something that'll just work, what would you recommend?

the VPS, but you know my opinion is slightly biassed

In reply to:

---

It's been suggested to me that a dedicated server would be better than a VPS, although for cost reasons VPS seems perfectly acceptable to me.

---

its better in that it doesnt share hardware resources, however a shoutcast requires at most 10MB of ram and perhaps whatever amount of bandwidth your going to be using.

in other words, a VPS to run a shoutcast at your level would be fine considering it wont be supporting thousands of users

Be sure to check terms on VPS providers some allow shoutcast others do not. It should be adequate. I always recommend a dedicated over a VPS if you have the extra funds.