Simpfony, LLC has been developing and testing a new distributed audio solution for the past three years and we are presently in the pre-release beta phase. We'd like to provide a selection of custom integration/installation professionals a beta version of the product and get your feedback. We'd be interested in how we can improve or change the product to make it more suitable for the specific challenges you face as a custom integrator.

Here's a little information about the product:

Simpfony is a complete multi-zone audio solution, however unlike other products, it does not require any proprietary hardware. Simpfony is implemented entirely in software, including the "matrix switching" to play a single audio source to multiple zones simultaneously. Additionally, a well-defined plugin structure allows us, or authorized third parties, to add new or extend existing functionality rapidly (such as new audio sources, for example). This provides for exceptional flexibility enabling the system to keep pace with rapidly changing technologies.

To try out the product you'll need:
- A PC (hardware requirements are minimal) with Windows XP or later
- At least one iOS device (iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch) running iOS 4 or later (iOS 5 or later required to test AirTunes functionality)
- Several sound devices (one for each zone). We prefer USB based DACs, but any sound device should work. If needed, we can provide some for you to test with.
- Speakers and amplifier for each zone

If you are interested in trying this pre-release beta product and providing your feedback, please contact me privately where I can provide additional details and technical information.

Thank you.

so you want feedback in the form of people buying alpha product?

PM me for my free address, and I'll PM you back for free Symfony equipment.  

After that, I'll write a complete article about it, post it on my website as well as on RC.  

That was easy enough.  I await my free goodies.

Note:  Beta Tester (me) reserves the right to keep any and all goodies sent to him at his discretion.  Beta Tester (still me) also reserves the right to smash with a hammer, and subsequently start on fire in the parking lot of his office any and all equipment that he feels deserves the treatment stated previously.

Ya best way to get feed back would be to select a few beta testers forum members would be a good start, maybe even have a thread for us or you guys to choose the 3 or more most qualified testers.

I fear any solution that requires a PC. Not in my client's home.

Isn't proprietary hardware what makes systems reliable?

Don't listen to him.....he still counts with an abacus.

Wow ... how unwelcoming can a CI community be?

A polite no thank you would suffice. He came here looking for qualified, professional integrators. Would you rather he plucked them from a white van?

I'm not joking.  If it's good product, I'll give it a good review.  If it's bad, I'll just add it to the long list of crap on the market.  I said the exact same thing to my Integra rep.  But I told him I'd post the video on Youtube of me roasting marshmallows  on top of his burning receiver.

I'm more than willing to Beta Test it.  Just not willing to pay to do it.  

I'll certainly be fair. 

I don't have a horse in this race. I didn't see any mention of charging you to do the testing. Traditionally, that is not expected.

If you don't want to do the testing, that's your perogative. My feeling is that the original poster is asking for competent hands to work with his product and supply feedback.

Well you know that this is a forum for "professionals", whose "CI" degrees regularly exceed an EE, ME, or CIS degree.

Mine was just honest feedback. I have never used a pc as anything other than a temporary video source. Even then I had issues. Any time this concept comes up it scares me.

I would love to hear more about the solution as I am sure it could be super cool. No hating on dude at all.

Please tell us more about the solution.

+1

I guess having an ME would make me less credible?

I was only giving my honest opinion as well.  As I said, more than happy to beta test the system.  Furthermore, what do you think would've happened if I'd have said the same thing to the guys from Sonos?  They would've handed me a unit and said "Have at it" confident that it's a stellar performer.  

If you want to bring something to market today.  It needs to be a game changer, if it's not, it's just one more thing in the pile of stuff nobody uses.