Griffin 20 Audio Amp Brings Power to the Airport Express (ces/video

So you wanna take your music wireless?  You could always opt for a Sonos setup, but that requires at the very least a $300 investment, not for the faint of heart.  There are other cheaper solutions, as found at Audio Engine, but that largely only works if you have a set of powered speakers or a prexisting amplified system.  The same caveat applies to Apple’s Airport Express, and while it doesn’t require any dongles or cases to plug into your computer or iPhone, you’ll need a set of powered speakers to draw tunes from the wireless hub.  That is until now.
Today, Griffin announced the Twenty Audio Amplifier.  At the core of the device is a 40 watt amplifier designed to power a set of stereo speakers.  But what sets it apart from the usual array of amps, is that the Twenty from Griffin has a slot specifically built for Apple’s Airport Express.  Plug it in and it can transmit lossless, wireless audio from any Airplay compatible device to a set of unpowered speakers.  It also boasts an active, autoswitching 80hz crossover so you can add a powered subwoofer to the mix.   There is also a Toslink connector and an included S/PDIF cord for adding a wired device, such as a CD player.
Griffin hasn’t said when and for how much, but will try to get an ears on while at CES.


http://www.gadgetreview.com/2012/01/griffin-20-audio-amp.html