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

Got everything in a rack and all digital. Have to say form factor and no digital out are the only things keeping me from replacing my Audiotron and even my media center PC hooked to my TV. I hate having to fire up the TV to pick music and your controller look great.

I am hoping Sonos will make a device like we are asking and I will be first in line to buy it.

I've read through all these posts and the way I see it is, the easiest way to accomplish the Digital out is to leave the amp in the ZP, add the digital out, and allow control of the amp output (turn on and off via controllers). No redesign needed, a little software tweaking and there done. As far as rack mounting goes, most rack mount systems provide sheves to place non rack mount devices. I don't have a need for digital out (not yet) or rack mounting, but I am not against the improvement of this already great product.

The only reason I haven't gone for the Sonos system at this time is the absence of th every features you're all advocating.

110% agree on digital out!!!

and adding digout w/o an amp SHOULD lower the price. The amp would be a waste in a room with digout. Please don't 'just' add digout to the existing product.

I'd still buy the amp version for rooms w/o an existing system.

I think audiofiles would be pleased with the ampless/digout version and would commit to the sonos system for rooms requiring the amp version...eg the kitchen, patio, etc. The remote is awesome and the wireless mesh a nice bonus.

However, until then, I require digout and will be purchasing a Squeezbox while beefing up my NAS storage. I'll wait to see if squeezebox adds a better remote (ala sonos) or if Sonos adds ampless/digout before committing to either system for my whole home.

On a side note...if any Sonos people read this..its nice to see an SB company doing well. Its my hometown! I hope Rincon has been firing on all cyclinders and the crowds are lite!! 🙂

My reasons for wanting this feature may be different than some of the others who have posted on this subject. Previously I did not think it was so important to have a digital output, but I have since changed my mind. After comparing the sound from the original CD to the FLAC version from the output of the Sonos on the same system, the CD sound is always much better (much more full, dynamic, and deeper bass). The only explanations I can think of are that the D/A converter in the Sonos is not as good as found in a decent CD player, or possibly there is not enough gain from the Sonos. In either case having a digital out to the D/A converter of my choice should yield a big improvement. By the way, I am making the assumption that the FLAC files are bit-for-bit identical the CD tracks. If anyone has figured out a way to modify the existing Sonos to get a digital out, I would love to hear from you. I understand this would void the warranty, but I will take the chance 😉 Has anyone else has noticed the same deficiency in sound from the Sonos compared to the original disks?

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Has anyone else has noticed the same deficiency in sound from the Sonos compared to the original disks?

The SONOS is very good, but not world class. Keep in mind that you didn't pay a world class price.

I'd also join the warranty voiders to get a digital out. There is a discussion on this board that points to the necessary chip, but not how to hook it up. Any electronic engineers?

Otherwise I'll just wait, one room is still sonos-free (I only need 1 with digital out)

I agree with buzz, the amp is really good for the price.

edit: Here's the link to the hacker's thread:
http://forums.sonos.com/showthread.php?t=578

Not sure if anyone from Sonos has commented on this topic (haven't read all the posts on this topic), but from Tom Garcia's review on ecoustics.com:

"For the audio purist, it would be advantageous to have a digital output to maintain a direct digital stream to their processor. After visiting Sonos’ facility and speaking with several of their engineers and representatives, I was informed that they are actively pursuing new products that will address many of the issues discussed in this section."

http://www.ecoustics.com/avrev/sonos

I've read through all these posts and the way I see it is, the easiest way to accomplish the Digital out is to leave the amp in the ZP, add the digital out, and allow control of the amp output (turn on and off via controllers). No redesign needed, a little software tweaking and there done. As far as rack mounting goes, most rack mount systems provide sheves to place non rack mount devices. I don't have a need for digital out (not yet) or rack mounting, but I am not against the improvement of this already great product.

I'd have to agree mostly with TCassio's first point. No need for a separate product simply to support S/PDIF. Most audio ASICs already expose the digital interface; it's just a matter of spinning the board design to support the connector to expose the interface at the back of the ZP. Cost reduction for de-featuring the analog amp is probably marginal and I'd rather have the option to remote a parallel set of speaker level outputs to another room than save ~$50 or so. Most REAL cost savings will come from market acceptance and economies of scale from high volume manufacturing. As an example, the Controller relies on an relatively expensive Xilinx FPGA chip as typically found in low volume high-end consumer electronics. Eventual replacement with a custom ASIC design will drive cost out when volumes justify the upfront cost of that approach. Only with volume can Sonos get the ZP closer to the sweet spot pricing for broader acceptance. So those interested in an ampless version mainly for cost reasons should focus on spreading the word on how good the system is to others!🆒