Well, the thing sticking out of the top isn't ideal, but it is one less "thing" to have cluttering up the place. I was also thinking that it might be the tool to set up easier ways to let my in laws play radio etc without external intervention. Maybe a nice big onscreen button that said "Radio" that turned on the amp and let them tune into the shouty talk show station of their choice.

I'll take a look at the Harmony too, but my biggest concern was ease of use. Neither MIL or FIL can work our old style OFA remote without a bit of help, and they're clueless when it comes to radio off the squeezebox.