A/V Receiver with Digital Audio in Zone 2/3?

[thejack]

Hi,

The majority of the new generation receivers are not able to output digital audio to Zone 2/Zone 3. It doesn't make sense as more and more people are going to use Media Centers, Digital audio players for music in other rooms, patio etc.

From reading the manual it seems that the Pioneer Elite VSX-92TXH would be able to do this to Zone 3 with an additional amplifier.

Can anybody confirm that it indeed works and also list other HDMI 1.3 receivers in this price range $1000-$1500 that would be able to output digital audio to other zones.

 

[adk highlander]

Hello thejack welcome to the forum.

Can anybody confirm that it indeed works and also list other HDMI 1.3 receivers in this price range $1000-$1500 that would be able to output digital audio to other zones.

I was looking for this feature before I purchased my prepro. To my knowledge none of the major label (Onkyo, Pioneer, Denon, HK, etc.) companies offer this feature.

From reading the manual it seems that the Pioneer Elite VSX-92TXH would be able to do this to Zone 3 with an additional amplifier.

Yes you can output to zone three with the optical out on the last several Elite models (72/74, 82/84, 92/94) but where can you buy an amp that will take an optical in? If you know please share. I guess you could use an integraded amp or another reciever.

I spoke with Emotiva's customer service about their upcoming models to see if they were going to offer this and Lonnie explained that it was cost prohibitive and that the demand was not there.

There may be models by Anthem, Lexicon and others that I am not familiar with that may do this but as they are well out of my price range I have not looked at their features.

 

[bandphan]

Hi,

The majority of the new generation receivers are not able to output digital audio to Zone 2/Zone 3. It doesn't make sense as more and more people are going to use Media Centers, Digital audio players for music in other rooms, patio etc.

From reading the manual it seems that the Pioneer Elite VSX-92TXH would be able to do this to Zone 3 with an additional amplifier.

Can anybody confirm that it indeed works and also list other HDMI 1.3 receivers in this price range $1000-$1500 that would be able to output digital audio to other zones.

Yes, just installed one the other day no problems, some rxv yamas do also

 

[bandphan]

Naim Supernait, AND Myryad MI 120, AND rystons, but why not get a cheap avr to do it?

 

[thejack]

Thanks guys.
I'll probably go with the VSX-92TXH. Seems like the the Speaker A/B option is available with this receiver. It's using the surround backs but i suppose you can get a speaker switch to overcome that for that if you don't want to use Zone 3 with a separate receiver.

 

[Hi Ho]

The Denon 4308 and 5308 can pump digital sources through the extra zones with limitations. Signals input through coax or optical can play in zone 2/3 as long as it is 2ch PCM. HDMI cannot play in zone 2/3.

The Yamaha RX-Z11 can play digital sources through the extra zones... as long as it is in "Party Mode", AKA same thing playing in all zones.

I'm guessing the "prohibitive cost" is the need for a separate DAC for each zone.

 

[MDS]

I'm guessing the "prohibitive cost" is the need for a separate DAC for each zone.

Yep, most likely, at least that is the explanation I've heard most.

I think it's fine if someone wants to buy a megabuck receiver for the purpose of having digital audio in a second or third zone but really the easy way out is simply to use two receivers. Many receivers have digital audio out (with the restriction that it will only output signals that arrived digitally). Presumably you already have a digital input signal if you want that to go to a second zone so just use the digital out of the main receiver and connect to any digital in of a second receiver and problem solved for a whole lot less money.

 

[thejack]

Hi MDS,

Thank you for the suggestion. For some reason I didn't think of utilizing the digital audio out. You're right seems like most receivers has it for CD/Tape recording. This way i should be be able to play DVD's and music from my Media Centre Extender (both HDMI) input to another receiver (which i have).

If I'm correct the only drawback is that I'll have sound in both rooms even though I only want it in room 2 ?? If I turn down the volume on the main receiver will it output a "weak" signal to the other receiver or won't it affect the signal?

 

[MDS]

The volume control won't have any effect on the digital out. You'd control the volume with the second receiver that it is connected to.