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Comment by intrasight | Hacker News Reader

In addition to "secrets" there are "mysteries" - like why doesn't anyone make an "Amp" except Sonos, and why is it that one so darn expensive? I guess because they are the only one.

https://www.sonos.com/en-us/shop/amp

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What do you mean? An amplifier that can drive speakers that's also a streaming device? That exists at various price points. Anywhere from a raspberry pi taped to a "dumb" amplifier all the way to various Roon streamers. Although at both super-low and higher price points, things tend toward individual components for flexibility and diy reasons. But that's easy enough to work with to get something that both looks and sounds good.

Sonos's one plays nice w/ Sonos's ecosystem, but if you don't need that there are other solutions.

I mean an amp with only: HDMI eArc in, 5 speakers out, sub out, power button. And <$500. I don't actually want or need the Sonos ecosystem. I also don't want or need a huge, visually intrusive box with dozens of knobs and seemingly hundreds of rear connectors - as is the case with the AVRs. I guess it's too niche for Apple to make one.

Other companies make streaming amplifiers of various types -- Bluesound's Powernode immediately comes to mind, and one could argue virtually any AV receiver that has streaming services built-in can do the job (e.g., any Marantz or Denon with HEOS, any NAD amp with BluOS). The Sonos's price is actually pretty middle-of-the-road in this category, though.

If I were looking to undercut it, I'd look for a two-part combo, like a $99 WiiM Mini streamer coupled with something like the $329 Emotiva BasX stereo amp. That's not going to get you any of the Sonos-specific ecosystem woo, of course.

I'd point you to many smaller retailers...

https://outlawaudio.com/shop/

https://emotiva.com/collections/amps

and parts-express...

I've owned things from all of these places so there's that I guess :)

Outlaw looks nice. And great name. But pricey.

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