A while ago I set up a music system above the fireplace. It uses an AirPort Express as a destination for playing iTunes music from my computers, iPhone or iPad. The audio out channel from the AirPort Express feeds into a small amp that I found on Amazon for $20 which powers a pair of good bookshelf speakers.
To control the music I have a spot where I can attach my iPad to the wall with velcro.
It’s been a pretty good system.
The Raspberry Pi is going to be making itself part of the system eventually as a podcast downloading alarm clock. The plan is to write a simple script to download CBC podcasts in the morning and auto-play them with a bit of smarts regarding holidays and weekends. I’ll have simple web front end to control and configure the system. Should be nice to have a little something to wake up to.