The FP1 will integrate in two way with the 9600. No additional Escient products needed. If you do add an AVX or MX unit, you will be able to access a second stream from the main hard drive on the FP1 as well as the ipod docked in it. If you wish to access files on your pc, you can run Fireball PC on the pc and the 9600 can also see the shared folders on the pc through the FP1 (or the AVX or MX unit). Protected content (purchased form Itunes) cannot be played except from a docked I pod however. Hope this helps.