Looking for a kitchen system - options and advice needed
They're not touch screen tho?
Well, you can't have everything! 
You'll need an iPod Touch etc. if you want touch screen functionality.
Indeed, which the OP doesn't want to do. There's a general move *away* from on-unit control, so I'm not sure there's a product which ticks all the boxes. Closest is my suggestion of SBT plus actives, although obviously even SBT is now defunct. Otherwise maybe Olive but I don't think that's a network player.
Otherwise maybe Olive but I don't think that's a network player.
Actually it is! And it looks gorgeous!! Olive 4HD is coming soon:
http://www.olive.us/products/music_systems/olive4hd/specs.html
Olive 4HD / 5HD / 6HD all suit your requirements beautifully, at a price.
http://www.olive.us/products/music_systems/olive4hd/compare.html
If they've improved reliability and UI then that looks like a good option then. The angle of the screen, which is odd for a conventional hifi setup, could work very well in a kitchen.
Indeed, which the OP doesn't want to do. There's a general move *away* from on-unit control, so I'm not sure there's a product which ticks all the boxes. Closest is my suggestion of SBT plus actives, although obviously even SBT is now defunct. Otherwise maybe Olive but I don't think that's a network player.
indeed. the most affordable, largest-touchscreen, excellent functionality device is no more...
Hifi makers assume (or have user preferece study data) we are all glued to our portable devices. I say, if I like using them it does not mean I am happy to have to use them!
as to Olive, I do not have any experience of them. I remember reading user feedback about how poorely they worked interface-wise. I also consider them too expensive.
I am currently leaning towards something like this:
Speakers: Genelc 6010A – small active, RCA input with sensitivity and bass adjustment, bracket mounted on top of cupboards. Power via cable with a switch located under cupboards.
Source: Airport express, analog jack out to split RCA. Located on top of cupboards, connected to wifi network and powered permanently on.
Control: Old 2nd Gen ipod touch, Remote app to browse music and activate airplay speakers. Permanently located in the kitchen, either docked or cabled (for charging only – the battery is not good at all by now).
Alternative speakers are: Genelec 8020B, Adam Audio Artist 3 or 5, AVI ADM 9RS
Another option is SBT + actives.
When funds allow, you can go for an iPad Mini or iPad 2 (available for less than £300) permanently docked as suggested before! Or buy it when you or your friend / relative visits the US.
I thought you had a dislike of olive, which is why I didn't mention earlier. This seems to be a new generation, so maybe problems have been fixed, but agree expensive. Given your docked touch idea I had been thinking of suggesting the thing with the best screen, a mini laptop! Then dac and actives or adm9s for neat system. Alternatively a permanently docked 7" tablet may be more satisfying than the touch, although I guess more pricey. I think SBT plus actives is best for you, especially as you were happy with this combo with your 50s.
When funds allow, you can go for an iPad Mini or iPad 2 (available for less than £300) permanently docked as suggested before! Or buy it when you or your friend / relative visits the US.
good thinking!
What about the Creative apt-x Bluetooth dongle (£40) for iPod playing Bluetooth to apt-x speakers (£80). If you get the Conran dock (about £80) you can stream and dock to the same speaker.Creative also do their Android tablet for £60 which has apt-x Bluetooth audio so if you can see your music via uPnP then you can have a 7" touchscreen tablet as uPnP render streaming to the speaker via Bluetooth.
Given your docked touch idea I had been thinking of suggesting the thing with the best screen, a mini laptop! Then dac and actives or adm9s for neat system. Alternatively a permanently docked 7" tablet may be more satisfying than the touch, although I guess more pricey. I think SBT plus actives is best for you, especially as you were happy with this combo with your 50s.
what I am trying to achieve is that when the system is installed and I am showing to my wife how to use it (and given that currently it is simply several straightforward clicks) I want her immediate raction to be 'oh, very nice!', rather than 'hmmmm, it was a bit better before...' She is far from being a gadget fan so it has to be super simple. same as before or simpler. Walk into the kitchen at 6am - power on, click on the screen for a playlist, hit play, coffee on etc. it also has to be small and completely out of the way. Our kitchen is tight for space for niceities. having things like laptops etc is not going to work. Even though I have one gathering dust since getting an ipad!
just listened to the genelecs in a shop. They sound great and for the size - fantastic!
So does she find the SBT easy to use?
She is not really using it, it is usually me. I cannot say she enjoys it (gadgets and enjoy for her are not compatible words). But she can use it.
What about a network player like this:
http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summary.php?PID=604
Or a Brennan JB7?
My Home Cinema Pioneer KRP 500A, Yamaha RX-V1900, MA Radius R225HD LCR, R90HD rears, AW12 sub, Panasonic BD60, PS3, Boxee Box, Sky HD, Boxee Box, Logitech Harmony One, Logitech PS3 Adapter, Sonos ZP90
Bedroom Samsung UE32C6510, PS3 slim white, Apple TV, Sonos S5, Sonos ZP90, Audioengine 2, Oppo OPDV971H
Miscellaneous: Synology DS212J + 2 X WD Red 2TB drives, WD 1TB NAS, Sonos ZoneBridge, BT HH3 as modem & AirPort Extreme router