Sony CPF-IX001 network music player streams audio via Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and power-line
Sony CPF-IX001 network music player streams audio via Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and power-line
John Falcone Senior Editorial Director, Shopping
John P. Falcone is the senior director of commerce content at CNET, where he coordinates coverage of the site's buying recommendations alongside the CNET Advice team (where he previously headed the consumer electronics reviews section). He's been a CNET editor since 2003.
Expertise Over 20 years experience in electronics and gadget reviews and analysis, and consumer shopping advice Credentials
- Self-taught tinkerer, informal IT and gadget consultant to friends and family (with several self-built gaming PCs under his belt)
Network audio players are quickly becoming commodities, but Sony is hoping to add something new to the mix with the CPF-IX001. The tiny tabletop player handles the basics--it streams digital audio files from a networked PC so you can enjoy your music in a different room of the house. But unlike many competitors, it includes built-in speakers--including a mini subwoofer--so you don't need to attach it to a speaker system or an amplifier. Moreover, in addition to interfacing with any wired (Ethernet) or wireless (802.11b/g) home network, the Sony CPF-IX001 can connect to power-line-based networks as well--potentially a nice advantage for anyone who's intimidated by the vagaries of wireless-networking configurations.
The Sony CPF-IX001 is scheduled to become available in August for $300. (To our knowledge, it's just Sony's second network-audio product, after the larger Sony NAS-CZ1.) We'll have a full review of the CPF-IX001 soon--with an eye on how it stacks up against category leaders such as the Roku SoundBridge M1001 and the Slim Devices Squeezebox.
Photo credit: salonav.com
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