Just a few general suggestions. Indeed Sonos can make a very nice whole house system, though there are other choices. But Sonos make the Connect:Amp with a 50w/ch amp build in, the Sonos Coonect which has streaming only (no amp), and they make a range of Network Enabled Active Speakers.
That allow you to customize what to buy to fit the need of each room. For some rooms, a Simple Sonos Speaker, which are relatively compact will do. In other room, perhaps a Sonos Connect:Amp.
Wireless Speakers | Sonos
Wireless Stereo Components | Sonos
SONOS Connect:Amp - £449 -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/SONOS-CONNECT-Wireless-Stereo-Adaptor/dp/B001G7PLT6
SONOS Connect - £339 -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/SONOS-CONNECT-Wireless-Stereo-Adaptor/dp/B001G7PLTQ
SONOS Play:3 Streaming Speaker System - £269 -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/SONOS-PLAY-Smart-Wireless-Speaker/dp/B005CI5H3U
SONOS Play:5 Streaming Speaker System - £449 -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/SONOS-PLAY-Smart-Wireless-Speaker/dp/B015MWSBME
though not necessary, the Sonos Play speakers can be paired into Stereo Pairs, though that's not necessary, the can play music on their own.
However, I would recommend that your main system be something more. Though it is really down to your personal needs. For the main lounge or what ever you would consider your main primary listening system, you add the Sonos Connect to a Stereo or AV Receiver system.
Most AVR's already have Network Streaming built in. But they will not likely share the same control app. One Sonos Control App on a Smart Device like a Phone will control all the Sonos device in your house. However, it will not likely control the AV Receiver, and the AV Receiver Control App will not likely be able to control the Sonos Device. So, best to have the same brand of products in each room.
Sonos is good up to CD Quality. However there are other slightly to significantly more expensive devices that will stream High Resolution files. CD is 16 bits and 44.1k samples per second. But DACs have advanced significantly, and there are download services that that have 24 bit / 96k music, and even up to 24b/192k. Though extremely rare, I have seen commercial audio products with 32b/1.5m DACs, and 32b/384k are common. Though no music exists at those high rates.
So, for CD Quality Sonos is a good choice, reasonably cheap, and they have been doing this the longest, and there products are pretty reliable.
Most Streaming Services have near CD quality in the paid version, though the free version is still pretty good.
The
Google ChromeCast is pretty good but it focuses mainly on access to Internet Streaming Services like Spotify. If you download the Spotify App, and you have ChromeCast running in your house, you will see an option on the Spotify App screen to "ChromeCast". That will send all output to the ChromeCast device and whatever the ChromeCast device is connected to.
But ChromeCast works less well with the streaming of locally stored files. I have heard of people introducing Streaming Server Software that could access ChromeCast, and that enhanced the Streaming from local storage ability. I think they were using the PLEX software server. But that adds a layer of complication to the system. For what it might be worth, I have seen Network Routers that have PLEX built in. Though I don't have much information on that.
The advantage to having PLEX on a Router, a Router with USB inputs, is that you can plug a USB drive into the Router, and PLEX will Stream Audio from that hardrive. That means you don't need any computer ON to access the music.
The advantage to ChromeCast is that it cost roughly £30. The disadvantage is that you need something to connect it too like a Stereo or Active Speakers or Similar.
There are currently three models, two are roughly £30.
ChromeCast for TV, or ChromeCast-Video which uses an HDMI Output and Streams both Video from services like Netflix and Audio from services like Spotify.
For TV - Chromecast - Google
ChromeCast for Speaker, or ChromeCast-Audio, which is Audio only, and can connect either with Analog connections (3.5mm) or with an Optical Connection.
For Speakers - Chromecast - Google
And the New
ChromeCast Ultra which has 4k video streaming.
Chromecast Ultra - Chromecast - Google
The
ChromeCast Audio and the
ChromeCast Video are currently on sale at
Curry's for £20 -
GOOGLE Chromecast Audio
GOOGLE Chromecast
The
ChromeCast Ultra is £54 -
GOOGLE Chromecast Ultra
So, coming back to my main point, while you should use the same brand of system through out your house, you can find custom variations to suit the specific need of each room. In the Kitchen or Bathroom a simply basic self-contained
Play:1 is probably enough. In other rooms perhaps a
Connect:Amp with separate speakers. In the main lounge perhaps the
Sonos Connect connected to a Stereo system.
So, two main points, with SONOS you have flexibility to customize each room. Though you have similar flexibility in other brands, just at a higher price, and you have the option of Hi-Res files -
(Cambridge, Bluesound, and others).
Wireless Speakers - Bluesound
Wireless Stereo Components - Bluesound
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bluesound-NODE-digital-players-Cortex-A9/dp/B014H9NWPY
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bluesound-POWERNODE-digital-players-Cortex-A9/dp/B014HJHGHO
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bluesound-Hi-Res-Wireless-Speaker-System/dp/B019P2W4QG
And, I would recommend that you use the
Sonos Connect plus a nice Stereo system in the main room for TV and Movie watching, as well as Music listening.
As to CDs, they do still have value. If nothing else, you have a back up of your music. And many many people prefer to keep a hard copy, the CD itself around. Also, remember that SONOS, as it stands now, is limited to CD Quality (16b/44.1k).
If you feel that you are likely to start buying and downloading music files at higher than CD Quality, then you need more expensive streaming equipment.
Vinyl is more of a hobby. Something for collectors. I don't think I would recommend that people start with Vinyl unless they have a strong interest or they already have a collection of vinyl.
There are many brands of Streaming Device that offer the same range of flexibility, perhaps faster response times, access to Hi-Resolution files, but they tend to cost more. Whether those advanced feature are something you need, only you can determine.
Also, all these brands offer the option to start with a basic system or two, and gradually expand as money and need become available.
Just a few thoughts.
Steve/bluewizard