[bmk352]

I have been searching around and trying to figure out the best way to create a multi-room multi-zoned setup on the relatively inexpensive side.  This rules out a Sonos or Squeezebox based solution as they are both too expensive to implement.  Currently I am looking at using an alix3d3 http://www.pcengines.ch/alix3d3.htm board as it supports POE and has an stereo audio output removing the need for at least one power plug at the output source.  Ideally what I would like to be able to accomplish with this system is have 3 zones run by a board a piece pulling my music from my linux server.  With these 3 zones I would like to be able to either play a different song in each zone or have a single song synced among the zones akin to Sonos.
I have played with MPD (music player daemon) which installs easily using the voyager-mpd linux install and works well for a single output at a time, but not multiple zones as far as I can tell.
Has anyone been able to accomplish something like this and are there instructions for diy?

[bmk352]

Well here's what I have ended up doing:
Spun up a VM on my ESX server and installed Ubuntu Server 10.04 x64 base install and updates.
Installed Logitech Media Server using repository instructions http://wiki.slimdevices.com/index.php/DebianPackage
Installed Voyage Linux on a spare laptop and compiled Squeezeslave from source http://wiki.slimdevices.com/index.php/SqueezeSlave#Linux_build_instructions

Installed Voyage Linux on CF Card and setup Alix hardware
   for use with X (alix3d3/alix1d):
changes in "/etc/inittab":
    comment "T0:23:respawn:/sbin/getty –L  ttyS0"
    uncomment "#1:2345:respawn:/sbin/getty –L  tty1"

changes in "/boot/grub/menu.lst":
    "terminal serial" replace with "terminal console"
    "kernel … console=ttyS0" replace with "… console=tty0"
    comment "serial  --speed=38400"

Copied compiled Squeezeslave from spare laptop to Alix hardware CF card and setup an automated startup daemon script.

Now I am running the Alix Squeezeslave over POE and have some speakers hooked up to the analog audio output.
With this hardware I have the option of adding a display later in case I want to have something shown
as well as adding a high quality USB DAC at a later date.

And the materials:
$130.60 Shipped ALIX 3d3  http://siliconkit.com/ocart/index.php?route=product/product&path=18&product_id=111
$11.85 Shipped 18V DC Adapter  http://www.pimfg.com/Product-Detail/PIPS-18-1A
$15.99 Shipped Sandisk Ultra 4GB CF Card  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002T84DQI/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details

$3.99 Power Over Ethernet Injector http://www.mini-box.com/s.nl/it.A/id.309/.f
$12.50 Indoor enclosure for ALIX.3 Boards http://www.mini-box.com/ALIX-3-Enclosure
$0.98 I/O Bracket for Alix.3D3 http://www.mini-box.com/Bracket-for-Alix-3c2_2
$2.75 Shipping

$178.66 Total Cost