Multi-zone -usage in reality

[Amadeus1756]

Hi,

Not really sure where this question should go - its kind of general advice I'm looking for.

I am hoping to move house soon. I don't intend to have a tv in the living room but in the room (snug) next to the living room. I need to buy an av amp and speakers and may get a large tv. I don't watch much tv but love films. That bit is easy.

I have a mac mini running xbmc which I use to stream my ripped films. Currently this is plugged into the tv along with pvr but they will plug into amp eventually.

I have an iPad 3 which i will play music through also in the snug. Im looking at an arcam drDock for this - looks as if it does a good job and is not fiddly to dock the device so easy to use.

Here is where the fun starts. I want to also play music in the living room so what's the best way of achieving this?

If I buy a decent amp, it will have multi-zone capability (I think this will be stereo only which should be fine). Would it be sensible to get an additional drDock and drill a hole in the wall to connect this to the amp? But how do I control the amp from the living room? Would I need to get an rf remote (thinking now, I think Yamaha amps come with 2 remotes - not sure if these are rf but will look into that)? Would both zones be completely independent? I could watch a film, wife could listen to music?

Any thoughts or suggestions welcome - assume nothing!

Thanks very much

 

[Amadeus1756]

Wondering now whether a Sonos would be suitable. WhatHiFi seem to like them but I'm not sure I understand the architecture. Where does the music get stored and how does it get there (assuming I want to listen to music I've purchased as opposed to streaming)? And how many zones can I have?

 

[bigboss]

Wondering now whether a Sonos would be suitable. WhatHiFi seem to like them but I'm not sure I understand the architecture. Where does the music get stored and how does it get there (assuming I want to listen to music I've purchased as opposed to streaming)? And how many zones can I have?

1) Music is stored either in your computer or NAS drive. Sonos will read off that.

2) Up to 32 zones are possible with Sonos.

 

[nads]

Or again have a look at the squeeze boxes. No limit on zones.

 

[Amadeus1756]

Thanks guys. 32 zones sounds like it would be enough for the shirt term...

Will have a look at the squeezebox as well tho.

Do you know hat the sound quality is like (on the sonos or squeezebox)?

Thanks