Another random fantasy:

California Audio Labs (the high-end audio unit) could build an AudioRequest-like gizmo (integrated ripping and playing), running EMPEG software, and (naturally) costing a mint. Of course, no self-respecting tube-amp audiophile would want MP3 compression (anybody claiming they can hear the difference between different brands of speaker wire would be horrified by lossy compression). Nope, just drop in a couple 80GB hard disks and rip straight to WAV files.

But, at the end of the day, the ultimate issue is whether SonicBlue management can truly integrate all these companies. The EMPEG merger made lots of sense. They were already working together and the companies complement each other nicely. These new mergers are less obviously good.