Cheapest temporary streamed music solution?

[Empgamer]

I have largely decided that I plan to go the Sonos route when I start working overseas later this year. I was tempted to take the plunge and buy now but my wife is fairly confident that it may well sit and just gather dust here, at least until she and daughter come out and, without me here to sort any glitches we might get, I can see the point.

That said, we have a party coming up in October and I desperately need something to get music from our PC to the kitchen, playing by some decent speakers. At the moment we have a crappy £140 dated mini hi-fi in the kitchen with poxy speakers that are about 12" high and, useless.

I don't really want to be changing CDs all night and I would like the ability to REALLY crank the sound up at times so I've been going through a few options. Wireless might be preferable, given potential re booze and trip hazards!!!! The ability to create playlists that we can switch to as and when people fancy dancing to different music types would be useful.

Options considered:

Sonos: Expensive for a one night stand. Bit too bulky to cart the lot abroad too. Looking at £699 for the bundle and £200 + for speakers. Still AN option. Bonus, no amp needed, easy to set up and use.

New Hi Fi system: Would replace the crap system in kitchen for Mrs Emp (which I might do anyway) but still leaves us changing bleedin CDs all night. Not a runner I think.

Squeezebox: Possibility. Small enough to take overseas for a play too. Obviously it will need speakers and (downside) doubtless an amp too. That puts me off a little and the price might then start to get towards a Sonos bundle anyway (SB3, speakers, amp). Speakers wise I'd likely look at Monitor Audio BR2s (will they pack enough punch???) or Wharfdale 9.1 Diamonds. Amp wise NO idea at all Any thoughts? If component prices strated to get close to Sonos I'd pobably go with the Sons for ease BUT again, £1,000 or thereabouts will make for an expensive party. We have no good legacy system to link an SB3 too either.

Ipod Dock: Another option. Less desirable in some ways (MP3 music not FLAC) BUT possibly a runner. Can pre make playlists and just switch by remote. BUT, which doc would have the powerful enough output etc and would not cost more than the Sonos? Did think of perhaps a more decent hi-fi and get a a straight dock only (e.g. no speakers) to plug in and play iPod through. Possibility I suppose.

If anyone has any other solutions I'd be interested or any amp/speaker suggestions for the SB3 route which looks lke it MAY be the cheapest.

[Autopilot]

Got a PDA with WiFi?

[Empgamer]

Unfortunately not. Plan to get an iPhone in UAE to replace my ageing Tungsten T3 (and get decent MacBook synch into the bargain!!!).

I suppose an option if I decided to splash for a SB3 is to get a set of powered speakers. I don't really want to have to piddle about with changing settings on them and the SB3 if I can avoid though. If I went for SB3, which powered speakers would be best at reasonable cost - Audio Engine 5? I know Matt hinted there were others coming out around now.

Have to be careful that I don't talk myself into a SB3 over other cheaper options here but, I will likely need a NAS for overseas and I believe the TS109Pro is quite small. IF I got one, dumped my music to it, could I then set that up in the kitchen, not linked to the PC and router and hard wire the SB3 to it?

I'm mindful that a Sonos solution will be around £900 minimum (BU130 and speakers). Another option would need to be a few hundred below that, dependant on the portability of some components overseas for Sonos use (e.g. I don't plan to cart around speakers via Qatar Airlines!!!). A pall of mine suggested hiring some kit but in deepest South West Wales I think places to hire from are thin on the ground, even if I could get the right kit.

ATM, with around £189 for a SB3 and £200 for Audio Engine A5, that seems about the best deal? I do wonder if those speakers will be powerfu enough to fill a large room with loud sound without sounding strained or tinny. Or indeed, whether that is the best solution (price wise and post party usability) that I will be able to come up with? If I decided I didn't want to retain the SB3, is it possible/necessary to strip slim server from a NAS to allow its use with a Sonos? I'm likely to just use the PC for the parties here but, as I may get a 109 pro to take overseas anyway i may not be able to resist the urge to link the SB3 (if I go that route) to it.

[Falp]

Apple Airport Express?

http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/

[Empgamer]

SB3 and AudioEngine A5s ordered