Extender just to play music

[kelvinc]

Does anyone know of a Media Center Extender that just streams audio and may have an inbuilt control screen. I am trying to sort out whether I can stream my music content on VMS to an outside source (backyard barbie) connected to perhaps a small amp and speakers. The idea being that although I can run a second zone on my Amp I have to either wire speakers and use the old CD method.

The X Box would be innapropriate - but the Linkys also seems overkill for what I want to do plus there will be no monitor connected to coordinate outside.

Any ideas or am I just trying to do something that's not feasible yet ???????

[dgaust]

You're probably looking for something like the Logitech Squeezebox or Squeezbox Duet.

Both are relatively expensive - the Duet around $450 and the Squeezbox $250.

[kelvinc]

Just an update on my music needs. Followed dgaust suggestions and got hold of Logitech squeezebox boom - in that it had the speakers and amp built in - pricey at 599 managed 519 with discount. Although not a Media extender per se as it runs on any PC and doesn't need Media Center interface.

Can I just say what a great little box. It fautlessly plays CDs stored on my Media centre including Album info from the interface - allows you to stream some free internet radio services but you can also manage typing in URL's of radio stations.

Its sound quality is truly impressive and I am a bit of an audiofile with an exacting HT setup but for outside near the pool and background music on the back deck - excellent.

The only critism is a gloss finish that smudges terribly easy. If your gadget hungry and sick of CD shuffling and changing - I cannot recoomend this product more highly.

[jsbbs]

Has anyone considered a Sonos system?