New Router / Alt Firmware questions

[Dahak]

So I am looking at getting a new wireless router as my current d-link (DIR-655) does not seem to be cutting at more.

What I am currently looking at is either the Asus RT-N66U or the Netgear WNDR4500 N900 router.

But am open to some other suggestions as well, asus, netgear, dlink, linksys are the brands that I would prefer

The basics are gigibit network, dual-band, wireless N, usb printer sharing would be nice but not a deal breaker. never could get it to work right on the d-link
Possible alternate firmware support

I don't feel I need to go to AC yet unless all the features are the same for the same price as the N equivalent


Actually I will throw this here too.

For users of the alternate firmware, dd-wrt or tomato for example, is there and option to enable VLAN tagging on the WAN/External interface?

The reason I ask this too, is if so I could get rid of the crappy modem that I have to use from my ISP.

I can do this on commercial routers but not familiar enough with the alternate firmwares

 

[JackMDS]

Asus RT-N66U

Takes DD-WRT or Tomato (shibi).

Best performance, features, price point at the moment.

 

[MoInSTL]

There is also Asuswrt-Merlin FW. http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=7846

I have the RT-N66U and it's flawless running Merlin.

 

[ImDonly1]

The AC-56U is on sale at Newegg for $90.
Might be worth it to get that instead of the N66U which costs more?