Airport Express is a big step-down form Sonos. Just say no. I have a LOT of experience with it.
I would get the Sonos that he already has working again. They probably just need firmware updates. Their technical assistants can walk you through it. If he has ZP-80 or ZP-90, these will work fine.
Even if you have to buy new Sonos, it is still the best choice. To get good SQ from them, add a Synchro-Mesh reclocker:
http://www.empiricalaudio.com/products/synchro-mesh
Sonos is even better than a Squeezebox Touch when the Synchro-Mesh is added and the user interface is great.
If you want the very best from the Synchro-Mesh (world-class SQ), then add the Dynamo power supply upgrade:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=120402.0
and add the optional Empirical Audio BNC-BNC coax cable with RCA adapters to the DAC. It is unbeaten in the market and cheap at $250.00.
Reviews of Synchro-Mesh:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/empirical4/1.html
http://www.avrev.com/home-theater-accessories/accessories/empirical-audio-synchro-mesh-reclocker.html
http://www.empiricalaudio.com/news-and-reviews/synchro-mesh
The Sonos/Synchro-Mesh combo is used world-wide for whole-house combined with good sound quality installations. You can use Sonos/SM/Dynamo/BNC-BNC where you want the best possible sound quality and Sonos/SM everywhere else. The SM is only $599.00. Money-back guarantee, less shipping.
$30K is ridiculous. You can do this for about $3-4K and I assure that you will get better SQ than the HT outfit quote.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio
I would get the Sonos that he already has working again. They probably just need firmware updates. Their technical assistants can walk you through it. If he has ZP-80 or ZP-90, these will work fine.
Even if you have to buy new Sonos, it is still the best choice. To get good SQ from them, add a Synchro-Mesh reclocker:
http://www.empiricalaudio.com/products/synchro-mesh
Sonos is even better than a Squeezebox Touch when the Synchro-Mesh is added and the user interface is great.
If you want the very best from the Synchro-Mesh (world-class SQ), then add the Dynamo power supply upgrade:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=120402.0
and add the optional Empirical Audio BNC-BNC coax cable with RCA adapters to the DAC. It is unbeaten in the market and cheap at $250.00.
Reviews of Synchro-Mesh:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/empirical4/1.html
http://www.avrev.com/home-theater-accessories/accessories/empirical-audio-synchro-mesh-reclocker.html
http://www.empiricalaudio.com/news-and-reviews/synchro-mesh
The Sonos/Synchro-Mesh combo is used world-wide for whole-house combined with good sound quality installations. You can use Sonos/SM/Dynamo/BNC-BNC where you want the best possible sound quality and Sonos/SM everywhere else. The SM is only $599.00. Money-back guarantee, less shipping.
$30K is ridiculous. You can do this for about $3-4K and I assure that you will get better SQ than the HT outfit quote.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio