Perhaps we should start with how much money you can actually spend.
And give thought to what you need in each individual room. In one room you might only need a small Self-Contained speakers, like the SONO Play1 or the Play3. But in a larger room you might want TWO Play5 sync'd to operate in Stereo.
However, in another locations, you might prefer a completely component system with separate amps, Streaming, and free standing speakers. Remember just because the installed speaker are there doesn't mean you have to use them. If they are convenient of the needs of a specific room, then certainly use them. But, don't use them simply because they are there.
Also, understanding the 3 Bedrooms is easy enough. But I'm a little vague on the
"main living area or confluent rooms"? You claim or imply that all these Zones will always play the same music? But will they? What are these spaces/rooms?
If it is, as an example, Kitchen and Lounge, they might not always be the same. Someone working in the kitchen might want to select their own music independent of the music in the Lounge. Again, just to illustrate the point.
Keep in mind, when you open the SONOS Control App, the first option you have is to direct where the music is going, and that can be to every Sonos device, or selected Sonos devices, or to simply the device in the room you are in. The point is, there is no need to tie those 9 additional Zones together physically.
It also matters where the speaker terminate. For example if all speakers terminate at a central location, say, a utility room, that can still work. But probably better is each set of speakers terminating in the room that the speakers are in.
If you are going to combine 9 Zones or a subset of those into a single system that always works in concert, that is, all speakers always working together, then I would consider a single Pre-Amp unit configured to drive several independent Stereo Amps. And a
Sonos Connect driving the Pre-Amp or a distribution panel.
That is assuming you choose SONOS as the provider of the Streaming System.
And back to the beginning, how much money and how much space do you have for this system?
If all speakers terminate at one central locations, then, based in the recommendations you received, you are going to have to have a stack of
12 Sonos:Connect-Amps.The devices are 3.5 Inches high, and need some additional space between them. So, let's say 6" for each amp, that means the stack needs to be about 6ft tall. But only if they all need to be in one room.
Here is the
Sonos:Connect which requires a separate amp -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/SONOS-CONNECT-Wireless-Stereo-Adaptor/dp/B001G7PLTQ/
Here is the
Sonos:Connect-Amp that has a modest but sufficient Amp built in -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/SONOS-CONNECT-Wireless-Stereo-Adaptor/dp/B001G7PLT6/
Here are the
Sonos Stand Alone Streaming/Amp/Speaker options -
Sonos Play 1 - (black or white) -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/SONOS-PLAY-Smart-Wireless-Speaker-Black/dp/B00FMS1KO0/
Sonos Play 3 - (black or white) -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/SONOS-PLAY-Smart-Wireless-Speaker/dp/B005CI5H3U/
Sonos Play 5 (black or white) -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/SONOS-PLAY-Smart-Wireless-Speaker-Black-White/dp/B015MWSBME/
Again, just because the speakers are their in 12 potential zones doesn't mean you have to use them. Evaluate each space and determine what best suits that space.
For example, in a small bedroom that is seldom used, perhaps something as simply as a single PLAY:1 would do. In the Master Bedroom, perhaps two Play:5. Perhaps in the main lounge, a full on Stereo or Surround System with a Sonos:Connect attached is the best choice there.
The one drawback to the Sonos system is that they are currently limited to CD quality, which realistically is not much of a down side. However, there are other companies making other units that are capable of High-Resolutions playback
(24b/96k, 24b/192k, DSD). But do you actually need that?
I think for now, we can use the SONOS as a model while we work out the details, and then decide on the specific Brand and equipment later. For now, Sonos does serve as a good model.
So, here are my points -
1.) Evaluate each room separately and realistically to determine what you really need in that room.
2.) Just because the speakers are there doesn't mean you have to use them. There may be a better more cost effective solution.
3.) Where do the speaker wires terminate? That can effect the equipment you choose. It will also determine how much equipment will need to be at that location.
4.) Work out the remaining 9 (non-bedroom) Zones. What do you realistically need there? Do they necessarily have to be treated as One Zone, especially give that, from the Control App, you can broadcast to any zone in the house? And do you necessarily have to have 9 zones? That is, when you walk from the Lounge to the Kitchen, do you really need the music to play in the hallway that connects the two? Or considerations illustrated by this example.
5.) If you do have Zones that absolutely must be functionally combined into one zone, that can happen, but maker sure that is really necessary. There are amps that have, for example, 6 Stereo Pair of Amps built in.
Multi-Room Amplifiers - Yamaha - UK and Ireland
And others. Basically, an amp with one input pair, and 4 or 6 Pair of Speaker Outputs. So, with multiple amps or with an amp similar to the Yamaha's above, a single
Sonos:Connect or other Streaming device could drive multiple speakers. The Yamaha above simply illustrate the point, there are many other similar amps.
If using separate Stereo Amps, which should not be discounted, I know there are distribution panels similar to those below. Again, the point is to allow a single source to drive several Amps -
Here is
1 Stereo In and 7 Stereo Out - CE Labs AV700 -
"CE Labs AV700 A/V Distribution Amp 7-Out" from www.parts-express.com!
Here is
1 Stereo In and 4 Stereo Out - CE Labs AV400 -
"CE Labs AV400 A/V Distribution Amp 4-Out" from www.parts-express.com!
So, as an example, ONE
Sonos:Connect can drive 4 Stereo Power amps or 7 Stereo Power Amps.
NOTE: The Links are to the USA because I could find that easiest. But I have searched these products in the UK/EU and found them, and note they are not very expensive.
It is possible to get quality PA/Studio Amps for a very modest amount of money, relatively speaking. These are typically Class-D amps which means they are small, light, and run pretty cool.
Here is on example -
Crown XLS-1002 - 215w/ch Class-D - £389 -
Crown XLS 1002 Drivecore Power Amp
Also -
Studiospeakers Trojan 200 - 60w/ch - £156 -
Studiospares Trojan 200 Power Amp
Behringer Europower - 4-channel - 50w/ch - £126 -
Behringer Europower EPQ304 4-Channel Power Amp
For the moment, consider these more illustrations rather than recommendations. Just making you aware of the possibilities.
So, you really need to think about the room and what those room really need. And also consider that just because the speakers are there in any specific location, does not mean you have to use them.
Let us know what you think.
Steve/bluewizard