Would You Buy an Ampless w/Digital Out "Zone Player Pro"

I was planning on getting another ZP anyway, but if I could have one that fits neatly into my stereo rack and is geared more the audiophile market, I would by that instead and swap out the current ZP to the new room.

I would buy one in a second... can always use a ZP somewhere else...

No doubt about it. I've been sitting on the fence for some time hoping Sonos would release just such a version. I'd end up getting at least one such beast and possibly two (along the ones for the bedroms, back patio, etc.)

--Dann

As stated, I won't vote for the project, but I would enjoy a true "pro" version with an optional rack mount kit and multiple zones in one box. (including the digital in/out)

This sort of gadget would allow easy replacement of those multi-zone systems with dreadful user interfaces.

Of course, to go along with this idea we'd also need the controller bridge or range extender. (Installing a 2.5GHz unit in a rack will limit its effective communication range)

Major plus features would be an XM radio, AM/FM, and one line level input per zone.

Its really only useful in the "professional integrator" market if a solution is worked out for 3rd party control.

jcmitch

Its really only useful in the "professional integrator" market if a solution is worked out for 3rd party control.

jcmitch

The wishful thinking "Zone Player Pro" proposed is meant for mass market appeal to go along with the current product and keep prices affordable and make it easy for the installed base to add a solution to their Audio/HT Rack. Not quite the average Joe, but the avid home theater enthusiast, lets say the middle of the road meat and potatoes customer.

Again, I do not disagree withy your point. The proposed is a starting point. Upon success, the natural progression would be a higher end more expensive custom install product that could be developed with all the money Sonos will make from the introduction of the above product. ;)

The more I look at alternative solutions to fit into my Audio/HT Rack, the only affordable solution that seems to be available is the aforementioned Escient SE-80 in the above post.

At $999 for the Escient SE-80 you get a self contained non expandable solution, at least for now until a firmware update is done. Even if you do not have any Zone Players or Controllers in your system now, the purchase of a "Zone Player Pro" would be $101 less than the Escient SE-80. At $898 for the Sonos, you have a far more powerful and fully expandable solution and a bargain in the market place.

The Escient connects to your TV/Display and has a user interface controlled by a remote. It can be controlled from any web browser and a display is not needed if you use a wireless PDA. The Sonos does not connect to a display; however, with the Sonos Controller you get the same level of fucntionality and onscreen visual as the Escient. No need for a separate PDA. The Escient will only rip in mp3. If you import your files from your computer they can be either mp3 or WMA. It will play both. The Sonos offers far more file and playback support as we all know. The Escient right now is limited to its own internal 80 Gig Hard Drive. The Sonos is not limited by storage capacity.

Sorry to rant yet again and beat this subject up as we really do not have any control of what Sonos wants to do. I just do not understand how this product would not be a huge success especially if marketed properly. At $499 for a "Zone Player Pro" and $898 for a complete package including the controller, it is a bargain. Buy other original Zone Players as needed and the middle of the road Audio/HT enthusiast will be very happy. Some will complain it is still too expensive and the true integrated home people, high ender's, and golden ear audiophiles are going to feel it is still not quite right for them, but for the bulk of the marketplace, it will be. Bread and butter first...

I really hope Sonos chimes in with some type of answer on this before the holiday season as even though it is less of a solution, the SE-80 is on my Holiday list.

Phil C.

[b]EDIT: Sales totals removed as they are not relevant to the poll.[/b]

In my case, I was looking exactly for network solution that didn't nesessitate getting another box (amp). I also wanted to not have my computer on. Sonos fits well for me in this regard. I believe that is the marget Sonos targeted.

I have no need for one without an amp at this time. ;)

How exactly does this go against the intent of Sonos??? The functionality of a "Zone Player Pro" would be exactly the same as the current Zone Player.

The vast majority of Sonos customers are likely have an Audio/HT area in their dwelling. As has been beat to death over and over in this forum, the number one and two features that seem to be requested are:

1) Digital Output (Coax and/or Toslink, preferably both)

2) An Ampless Version

3) Ampless w/Digital Output (thrown in for good measure) 😃

The mistake that Sonos made was not including a digital output on the current Zone Player. That alone has been the number one reason I have heard and seen why some will not purchase a Sonos System. All the threads and this poll would not be such a big deal if the current Zone Player had a digital output.

I love my Zone Player and I am glad you are happy with yours. It is a great product and works exactly like advertised, but can should be even greater. Enjoy...

Phil

I think the question you are asking in the poll is misleading; you should have asked one of the following questions:

1) Is the lack of an ampless model keeping you from buying any Sonos components?

1) Is the lack of an ampless model keeping you from buying an additional Sonos ZP?

2) Would you buy an ampless model with digital out over a ZP w/amp and digital-out if the price was similar?

I might buy one ampless model for my main entertainment room since I have a good amp; however, since the product does not exist, I purchased a regular ZP for that room. In this scenario, Sonos still received the revenue and the lack of an ampless model did not result in the loss of a sale. As it turns out, I was able to use the amp to power some garden speakers that are on the other side of the wall, so it was a nice surprise to have a free amp in that room.

If the lack of an ampless ZP is keeping you from buying a Sonos system, you are probably not really in the market in the first place.

Here is my suggestion from a couple of months ago. Granted I don't think it was too well received, but I still like it. :)

Two Types:
A standard audio size rack mountable with multiple analog and multiple digital inputs (optical & coax), digital out (again optical & coax), variable analog out, fixed analog out with level trim, 4-port Ethernet switch, IR blaster out, and optional external antenna. Price $499.00 - $599.00.

A small form factor very similar to an AirPort Express with one analog output (variable or fixed), one digital output (optical), and one Ethernet port. Price $150.00


All in all I am still concerned if complete audio syncing can be achieved using combination of digital out/3rd party DACs and ZPs. My guess is some type of time-trim would be needed.

UR

I would definitely buy one but I can only wait so long.

Two Types:
A standard audio size rack mountable with multiple analog and multiple digital inputs (optical & coax), digital out (again optical & coax), variable analog out, fixed analog out with level trim, 4-port Ethernet switch, IR blaster out, and optional external antenna. Price $499.00 - $599.00.

A small form factor very similar to an AirPort Express with one analog output (variable or fixed), one digital output (optical), and one Ethernet port. Price $150.00

I like this plan better. Thank UR.

--Mark.

I like this plan better. Thank UR.

--Mark.

I don't disagree. The reason behind the description of the "Zone Player Pro" is because that was the most common I saw through the various threads.

Sonos is a young company and a complete redesign of the only product they have doesn't seem to make sense. Again, had they released the Zone Player with a Digital Output, I think this whole discussion would not be so prevalent throughout the forum.

Taking the guts of the existing product minus the amp, adding the digital output, and putting it in a new case seems the easiest route to not upset the apple cart.

Just my thoughts, and as this is all conjecture anyway, it really doesn't mean anything other than a wishful thinker trying to rationalize something I have no control over anyway. It just really bothers me how good the Sonos System is, yet I have to look at another solution to add to my Auio/HT rack when the options that have been discussed seem so logical. Ranting again... Sorry.

Phil C.

[b]EDIT: Sales totals removed as they are not relevant to the poll.[/b]

Good points Uncle Robin. I purchased one Zone Player and the Controller to serve my outdoor deck area. We used it all summer without a hitch and enjoyed it very much. Like I keep saying, it is a great product.

In its current form, it is definitely not optimized for use in the Audio/HT Rack. Can you though, most definitely. Is it the best option available, not according to the tests I did.

I used the analog outs and fed my Rotel Pre-Pro and was not impressed. It sounded better when I used Analog Bypass so the pre-pro did not digitize the signal coming in and I was using the DAC's in the Sonos. I compared it to my PC outputting via WMP 10 using S/PDIF playing the same files as the Sonos using the Analog and the difference was night and day. The digital out of my PC via S/PDIF into the pre-pro won hands down. I compared it to my Sony CX455 400 Disc CD Changer which is also connected to my Rotel Pre-Pro via Toslink and the CD player won hands down also. I also compared the PC playing a file to the Sony CD Player playing the same track via a the original CD and I and several people had a hard time telling which was which. With the Sonos via Analog out, it was very easy to tell.

Phil C.