Computer with multiple audio sources?

[pinion9]

I am designing my new house and will be having multizone audio throughout. I want to have at least 2 zones with MP3 players and one with CD. Is there any way I can build one computer that can have three distinct audio outputs via three different sound cards? In other words, would there be any way to have one computer with three sound cards, with the cd-rom (cd player) and two instances of winamp or musicmatch playing different playlists on each sound card?

 

[CreativeTom]

So let me get this straight....you want each zone to have a separate feed, meaning that all 3 sources will be playing diferent audio????

 

[pinion9]

Yes. The receiver to do this is quite common. I am more concerned about providing the audio feed. Is there any way to configure program A to use sound card A, program B to use sound card B, etc? I could probably do it with VMWare, but would rather not.

 

[pinion9]

BUMP. I can't believe no one has input to this.

 

[thirdeye]

Interesting question, but I've never personally seen any media player that allows you to select your output device. Not to say that don't exist. Good luck on search either way. I'm curious see what/if you find.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

You might have more luck at AVSforum with an audio question like this.