One option I use, for speakers some Linn Knekt ceiling speakers, a Linn Roomamp, hooked up to a Logitech Squeezebox.
The Squeezebox doesn't have the best phono output, I have used one with a DAC that totally transformed the sound, it's probably not an issue with ceiling speakers. As for a DAC I use in the kitchen a Denon RCD-M41DAB that combination when playing WAV or FLAC files.
Another option I've used is an AV amp in the main zone and then 2 zones can work independently, for a 3rd or 4th zone you can always use a tape loop, but in the zone you are listening you would need an amp with volume controls as a tape loop will be line level.