Multi room multi source

[RI404]

Hello,
I am in the market for a multi room/ source receiver to be able to watch a surround sound movie inside while I listen to music outside. I would like this to be powered so that I don't need an amp as well as play music off my IPOD. I have seen several different products on line (7.1, 9.1, multi room, etc.), but I am a little confused. is it possible for my needs to be met for around $300 or so or I am I crazy?

Any help is much appreciated!

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

It will probably be hard to find a receiver in that price range that will run a second zone from internal amplifiers, at least not a new one. Even if you can find one it will probably only run a single pair of speakers – i.e. one extra zone. Typically when people talk “multi-room” they want more additional zones than that.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[RI404]

It will probably be hard to find a receiver in that price range that will run a second zone from internal amplifiers, at least not a new one. Even if you can find one it will probably only run a single pair of speakers – i.e. one extra zone. Typically when people talk “multi-room” they want more additional zones than that.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

thanks, I was looking for only one additional set of low end speakers outside. with that in mind how much would be a more accurate price range?

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

Couldn’t say. You can probably find something in the $400 range with 2nd zone outputs that would feed to an outboard amp, but AFAIK it’s only mid-to-upper tier receivers that use internal amps. Your best bet is to dig around on the manufacturers' web sites for something that meets your requirements, and then see what that model sells for on the street (or web, as the case may be). In the end it might be cheaper to get a lower-end receiver with zone 2 outputs and couple it with a cheap used amplifier of some kind.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[zieglj01]

thanks, I was looking for only one additional set of low end speakers outside. with that in mind how much would be a more accurate price range?

Denon E400
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_033AVRE400/Denon-AVR-E400.html?tp=179&awkw=75622038505&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=47439273025&awdv=c

Refurbish here
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavre400/denon-avr-e400-7.1-4k-3d-networking-receiver-airplay/1.html

 

[Lulimet]

Can the E400 run two zones at the same time?

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

According to the manual, it will. A big thanks to zieg for finding this gem.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[herbu]

Keep in mind the amps you configure to drive Zone 2 will not be available for inside surround. For example, the Denon E400 is a 7-channel AVR. You can use it for a 7.1 surround system. But if you configure 2 of the channels for powered Zone 2, you're left with 5.1 inside. It will be true of any AVR when 2 amps/channels are used as a powered Zone 2. Those amps/channels are not available for inside surround duty.