When Philips' first Streamium device was unveiled at CES 2001, it looked like a straight-up boombox, with the exception of an Ethernet jack in the back for pulling in internet radio. Seven years later, the Streamium line has morphed into a series of sleek wall-mounted devices that deliver a far more elegant digital audio experience.
The larger WACS7500 model ($1000, April) packs an 80GB hard drive and a CD slot into its slim chassis so you can rip tunes straight onto the device in the MP3 format. Using its WiFi connection, the device also accesses the MP3s, WMAs, and WAV/AIFF files on your computer, thousands of internet radio stations, Rhapsody subscription music, and music files stored on a USB memory stick. A rich color LCD displays album art, while an included remote control lets you browse your music and stations. The WAC7500 has two 40-watt amplifiers which drive built-in "super sound panel" speakers.
You can pick up an optional iPod docking cable for the unit, which probably should have been included (I'd be willing to wager that 90
percent of the people who buy one of these also own an iPod). Up to five extenders ($300 a piece) can be added to the unit to play music independently of each other or in concert.
If you'd rather listen to your music through the sound system you already own, the Streamium NP1100 ($150) is a better choice. This one uses its WiFI connection to stream MP3, WMA, WAV/AIFF, and AAC music from your computer, plus internet radio and Rhapsody music. Philips was generous with the outputs; the NP1100 comes with analog RCA, digital coaxial, and digital optical connectors. Although the device's 4.1-inch screen doesn't show album art, it features a nice "lite brite"-style aesthetic and displays song information from your music's tags.
The NP1100 photographs weirdly; in person, you don't see those little artifacts around the text and icons:
