Squeezebox Duet VS AppleTV

If you do run multiple Duet receivers (I do) you can sync them to play the same music as well. Not always useful but in the summer with the house opened up during a party or cookout, you can play the same music everywhere.

I have to say that using an external DAC makes a HUGE difference in SQ. I'd suggest always using one with a Duet. You don't have to spend that much either, as some very good DAC's like the Musical Fidelity V-DAC, and CA DACMagic work very well for not that much $$.

My vote would be to go with a Sonos system. It's got the best reliability, a great iTouch remote ap (free), and it's got fixed or variable outs either analog, coax or optical. So you can connect it to pretty much anything and everything. And you can use iTunes to rip your cd collection and get most of the album art to show up.

I haven't compared them to SB, or ATV, but a recent review by Steven Stone who did review all three came down in favor of the Sonos system. It's worth checking out.

Another vote for Sonos, especially if you ever plan on adding more that one zone. Sonos is the clear winner when it comes to whole house music. I just setup mine this weekend and it was unbelievably painless. My only complaint is that it doesn't play WMA lossless only Apple and FLAC lossless formats, and is expensive... but you get what you pay for and the Sonos just works, always... period.

...and the Sonos just works, always... period.

Except for those people who post to the Sonos forum asking for help because their system doesn't work. ;-)

Seriously, I've been involved with both computers and music reproduction systems for a very long time and no option is guaranteed trouble free.Sonos has tried hard to make their system easier to use, albeit at a higher price and with reduced flexibility in certain areas compared to other options, but you still can't pretend that some users aren't going to have difficulties with setup and operation.

The best bet is to find stores that sell each of the products you're considering and get a live demo.

Mikewdc

Like you, I was considering the SB Duet and Apple TV. The detailed article, "Music Servers for Audiophiles," which appeared in the August 2008 edition of The Absolute Sound, was extremely helpful in allowing me to make an informed decision. That particular issue of TAS is titled, “The Digital Issue,” and features many articles on music servers and digital playback. The aforementioned article compared the Duet and the Apple TV, complete with “The Sonic Shoot-Out,” Features, benefits and shortcomings. I don’t know if TAS has a digital archive, but if you can find that particular issue of TAS, I think you will benefit from the information/articles. Either way you go, I can tell you that you are going to love having a music server.