New home build, need ideas for source/amp

[kragnorok]

Hi everyone,

Me and the wife are just building a new house for the first time, and I have had some speaker/networking wired into the home. There will be 2 in ceiling speakers in the front room, 2 in the kitchen and 2 in the master bedroom upstairs all wired to a central location. There will be CAT-6 as well to this location.

Now, the company doing the wiring suggested using something like this Marantz stereo receiver.

http://ca.marantz.com/ca/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=HiFiComponents&SubCatId=0&ProductId=MCR603

While it seems like a good option, I was hoping to go with something a little more cost effective as when we move in money will not be in the surplus haha. Now the setup will include impedance matching volume controls, so I can just use a simple 4 channel speaker selector. I am hoping to get maybe a cheaper 2 channel stereo amp, and then a source I can run all my audio through. I would like to be able to do some networked audio and stream it off my networked server, and maybe something that can do internet radio feeds. As long as I can also plug in my Cowon MP3 player with FLAC audio, and then maybe my turntable.

Sorry for the mass amount of information, hopefully I can get some ideas for a cheaper solution then the networked Marantz the wiring guy recommended.

Thanks in advance

Kragnorok

 

[kragnorok]

Noone has any suggestions for the stereo amp or source for inputs? If I haven't given enough information just let me know and I can supply more. Simply trying to find a decent budgeted solution to start off. Searched through the forums, but couldn't find much relating to my specific setup. Would I just be better off getting a cheaper HT receiver? Or is there different options like a small form factor PC?

If this is in the wrong area can it be moved to the right one?

Thanks

 

[mtrycrafts]

Noone has any suggestions for the stereo amp or source for inputs? If I haven't given enough information just let me know and I can supply more. Simply trying to find a decent budgeted solution to start off. Searched through the forums, but couldn't find much relating to my specific setup. Would I just be better off getting a cheaper HT receiver? Or is there different options like a small form factor PC?

If this is in the wrong area can it be moved to the right one?

Thanks

Well, if you are looking for background music in those rooms you listed, most any receiver will do with the capability to meet your input needs, mp3, flac, etc. You may need to just google receivers and see which has all the flexibility that you need at the minimum price.
Certainly if you have other needs beyond what you listed, you will need to look for that. Not many modern receivers have turntable inputs anymore, ancient history. But, there are preamps specifically for turntatbles that can then be plugged into any receiver with enough inputs.

 

[kragnorok]

OK well, this is kind of what I am thinking so far for my setup.

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Squeezebox-Wi-Fi-Internet-Radio/product-reviews/B0013IWYHU

The Duet for Squeezebox, as I can plug in the receiver for it to CAT6, and have just the remote wireless to control the system for good connectivity.

Then for a receiver something like this Sherwood, however not sure where I will find it in Canada with no more radio shacks.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2407171

But this looks like it does a Phono in for TT, which is a bonus, and some decent power driving the speakers.

Has anyone had experiences with the Squeezebox Duet? If so would this or the Sonos system like it be better for $100 more?

Any opinions are greatly appreciated.

Cheers

 

[jp_over]

Here's some discussion on the Squeezebox & another device (WD Live):

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68529&highlight=squeezebox&page=2

Both the Sonos & Squeezebox are reviewed here:

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/digital-media-servers/