While I have tinkered with high-bit rate audio files I would never have thought that I would see a product like this from the firm marketing it: http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...552921666598677

What the heck is that thing? Why does it a stereo 40W/amp? Do they really thing this is any kind of companion to their true high-end speakers??? http://discover.store.sony.com/ES/ar-speakers/

It looks like it's essentially an oversized iPod that can connect to your network (hard wired or wireless) allowing you to load up potentially several hundred CD's from your PC. It also has coax and optical digital inputs and two pairs of analog inputs which should let you rip CD's from just about any player directly connected to it. There's even a USB connection for adding more storage. That should be able to hold tons of music.

The output seems to either be their 40W amp directly to speakers or the lone analog pre-amp pair. It's a shame there isn't an option to provide a digital output to your favorite pre-amp, though.

Kinda neat but I'm not sure it's anything I "need".