Best Multi-Zone Receiver

[gtmatt22]

I am looking for a receiver that has strong multizone capabilities. In my entertainment room I will have a projector in the front of the room plus a LCD on the wall behind the bar. I was hoping to get a receiver that could handle both of the TVs at one time. I was hoping to find something that could handle audio for two football games, one on each tv, and a radio signal for my patio outside. So I really need something that could handle 3 zones at the same time. Price isn't important but the value of the receiver is very important.

I was looking at the Onkyo 805 which has 3 zones but I'm not sure if it can handle everything I want. Please let me know your thoughts and I appreciate an advice anyone has.

 

[bandphan]

Check out the denon 58 series, athem, Pioneer SC among others

 

[adk highlander]

The 805 or 875 would do what you want but here are the caviats:

1) Both second and third zones are analog only so any source using HDMI or optical w/component would also have to have analog and composite connections.

2) The second zone with video is not HD and will only send 480P.

3) Depending on if you are using 7.1 you may need up to 2 external amps for those zones. You will need at least 1 for the third zone if you are using 5.1 in the main listening area.

The nice thing is it has sub outs for both the second and third zones which is cool. I use the pre/pro that is very similar to the 875. I used the extra zones on it and was quite happy. I wanted something that could do more zones so I ended up adding an Integra 4.7 which is a multi-zone amp/preamp with video switching. It has key pads that give me control of each zone for audio and video.

You may look at the Pioneer 94 model it may do digital in zone 2 but I don't think it is HD in zone 2 and zone 3 is a digital out and is kind of a pain.

 

[jcPanny]

Video disbrition.

Matt,
Some of the higher end receivers (>$1k) are starting to include multiple HDMI video outputs and 3 audio zones. I don't know if the video outputs are independantly controlled.

You will probably need an external device like this component video matrix switch to handle the video distribution:
http://www.impactacoustics.com/product.asp?cat_id=1002&sku=40973

 

[adk highlander]

Matt,
Some of the higher end receivers (>$1k) are starting to include multiple HDMI video outputs and 3 audio zones. I don't know if the video outputs are independantly controlled.

Very True. My 885 has two but they both cannot be active at the same time. In Gene's review of the Denon AVP-A1HDCI it will allow both HDMI outs active.

 

[gtmatt22]

Thanks for everyone's advice. I will probably go with the Onkyo 805 and try and make it work because $7500 is probably too much for me to spend on a receiver for the Denon.

 

[Adam]

...$7500 is probably too much for me to spend on a receiver for the Denon.

Just my opinion, but I think at that price point (or even quite a bit below that), it would be smart to consider using more than one receiver for your different zones. At the price of the Onkyo 805, the multi-zone receiver makes sense to me.

 

[bandphan]

Thanks for everyone's advice. I will probably go with the Onkyo 805 and try and make it work because $7500 is probably too much for me to spend on a receiver for the Denon.

you did say the best Best and budget sometimes dont work well together. Just by pass the video thru the avr and go direct from the source to the LCD, and use the receiver for the audio only on that zone.

 

[gtmatt22]

you did say the best Best and budget sometimes dont work well together. Just by pass the video thru the avr and go direct from the source to the LCD, and use the receiver for the audio only on that zone.

That was my thought.