Squeezebox Duet now available for pre-order

Hey, look at that -- the Squeezebox Duet just popped up for pre-order. Slim Devices's answer to Sonos was pretty impressive when we played with it at CES, and it looks like pricing is exactly what we heard: $400 for the wireless controller and a single Squeezebox Receiver, which can stream music off your home machine or tune into Rhapsody or Pandora. Units are expected to ship at the end of the month, but it doesn't look like you can buy additional $150 receivers or $300 controllers yet.

[Thanks, Gregg]

[paul.hanley @ Feb 7th 2008 9:07AM]

They have been available to pre-order in the UK since they were announced at CES!

[Fergus Kane @ Feb 7th 2008 9:09AM]

And for anyone who wants a low power server to run it off, go to Koolu.com and get one of their linux machines. Works like a dream for me. Always on, responsive and using very little power (5-10W). Needs a little linux knowledge to get it running though.

[Jon @ Feb 7th 2008 10:33AM]

Video of Squeezebox on here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonbauer/2201055378/

[Joe T. @ Feb 7th 2008 10:53AM]

I wonder if you can use one controller with multiple receivers playing independently in different rooms.

[John Locke @ Feb 7th 2008 10:58AM]

Joe T. -

Yes, the controller can control multiple receivers. You just label the receivers whatever you want, and select them on the main menu

[Joe T. @ Feb 7th 2008 11:06AM]

Woo hoo-- Thanks, John-- I see some new toys in my future.

[silverblackvoid @ Feb 7th 2008 10:59AM]

400 bucks for the wireless controller is just too much. this thing should be more like 200. that would make it more appealing.

[Joe T. @ Feb 7th 2008 11:08AM]

400 bucks is for both a controller and a receiver.

[Richy @ Feb 7th 2008 11:54AM]

Now if Logitech would kindly refund me the 130 quid I wasted on their crappy Wireless DJ system (mantra: the next firmware due out in a month will fix your problem); then I might just buy one of these!

[Denver_80203 @ Feb 7th 2008 1:01PM]

I hope they don't kill the original slimdevice. I have 2 and i would get 2 more if i one day buy a larger house. Not sure I like the new design and the old boxes make for a very nice clock as well as player.

[SuperQ @ Feb 7th 2008 1:51PM]

No, afaik the "Squeezebox Classic" is not going to be retired anytime soon. (It's in the process of getting a marketing rename from just Squeezebox)

[Aaron @ Feb 7th 2008 1:02PM]

We've been looking at the Sonos. Can someone tell me what makes this system different/better than the Sonos? The Sonos seems better, at least in the fact that their receivers have the option of a built in amp for the additional zones.

[Jeebus @ Feb 7th 2008 2:36PM]

Cheaper than Sonos, if you already have an amp.
Open architecture

[nVidiot @ Feb 7th 2008 2:39PM]

The Squeezebox is awesome.. use mine a lot and I'm looking forward to buying probably just the controller.

Although for $100 more getting an extra reciever would be cool. Perhaps for the bedroom.

[jwaka11 @ Feb 8th 2008 1:39PM]

I'm in the market for something like the Sonos without the price... this comes close but no cigar. The Sonos has a built-in amp as part of their ZP100 'receiver' in which you have the option to run the speaker directly to the Sonos unit. But at $500 a pop for the ZP100, it quickly adds up if I want to setup a 4-zone setup in my house.

With Squeezebox setup, one would have to purchase an amplifier to run the speakers (or purchase a set of powered speakers). You can always connect your speakers into an old stereo for this to work--but again, more gadget for you to 'turn on' before hearing music.

Hopefully Squeezebox will integrate a some sort of an amplifier with their 'receiver' in their future models.