Linux-based music distribution system goes ampless

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Apr. 10, 2006

Sonos is shipping a Linux-based music player and wireless mesh node that brings its multi-room digital music system to existing audio systems, such as stereos, home theaters, and high-end table radios. The ZP80 is priced at $350, or $1,000 for two ZP80s plus a single ZoneController, a PDA-like wireless remote based on Linux.

Sonos products
(Click to enlarge)

The ZP80 is essentially an ampless version of the company's original ZonePlayer. That product included a 50-Watt class D amplifier, and first shipped in January of 2005, priced at $500, or $1,200 for two players and a controller.

The ampless ZP80 model was announced in January of this year. It includes dual Ethernet ports, a radio that works with Sonos's SonosNet mesh technology, and a variety of analog and digital audio I/O ports.

ZP80 I/O ports
(Click to enlarge)
Sonos was founded with the goal of improving upon expensive whole-house audio systems based on enormous central amplifiers and "home run" speaker wiring, founder John MacFarlane explained when the company first launched. Its products use wireless mesh networking technology, as well as conventional Ethernet and audio cables, in order to connect multiple audio output devices with digital and analog music sources such as computers and iPods. More details are available in our complete Device Profile of the original Sonos Digital Music System, and in our previous coverage of the ZP80.

Availability

Sonos products are widely available through a variety of mainstream stereo distributors. The company claims to have more customers in the multi-room audio market than anyone else.

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