I'm in the process of building a house and need to make a decision on a home audio setup. I have 3 zones of the house where I plan to have speakers (Den, Kitchen and Porch). I have one central audio closet where I plan to have all of the speakers terminate and where I plan to have my audio components. Currently all of my music is housed in iTunes running on a current generation iMac.

I'd like to create a home audio solution that would allow me to use an iTouch running the Apple Remote application to control all of the audio (music selection, volume and zones). I know that iTunes will let you create multiple zones, but I'm unsure how to create multiple zones from one amplifier....or if that's even the best approach.

Do I buy a 3 zone amp and connect 3 separate AirPort express' ?
Do I buy 3 separate amps and connect 3 separate AirPort express'..do I even need 3 Airport Express?

Is there a better way to way to accomplish what I'm looking to do using an Apple TV(s) or MacMini(s)?

two quick questions, are you sure you only want audio, and not video, in those locations? and do you want the ability to play different streams in those locations simultaneously?

I have a multi zone amp but only use zone 1 form the home theater and have four AE boxes separate into separate amps. It has made my life simpler.

two quick questions, are you sure you only want audio, and not video, in those locations? and do you want the ability to play different streams in those locations simultaneously?
This is audio only and each zone would play the same stream.

I have a multi zone amp but only use zone 1 form the home theater and have four AE boxes separate into separate amps. It has made my life simpler.
What amps are you plugging the AE's into? And how do you control the volume for each of your zones?

What amps are you plugging the AE's into? And how do you control the volume for each of your zones?

I've got one AE plugged into a Harmon Kardon PA-2000 amplifier which then gets sent to speakers on the deck through a volume attenuator.

One is plugged into an old stereo receiver in the garage.

The other two are plugged into two sets of Channel Vision ABUS audio distribution setups, one for the patio and the other for a couple of controllers in the house. These have small amplified keypads that power the inwall or in ceiling speakers.

Kevin