audioplex.com/PTSeries.htm

[scott911]

http://www.audioplex.com/PTSeries.htm
I'm looking to distribute my "second zone" to a few other rooms for the purposes of ambiant music.- i.e. kitchen, maybe deck, etc. have a sherwood netcastel that will put out 100 watts per channel.

The link above shows a unit that I haven't read too many opinions about. What I liked was this feature: As you engage more pairs of speakers, the PT- Series gradually inserts autoformer protection, constantly striving to keep the maximum power flowing to your speakers. I think this will help me get the most out of my 200 watts...

Comparisons to Phoneix Gold and Niles (in terms of quality and functionality) are appreciated. thanks.

notes: I'm probably looking to control 6 pairs of speakers, would like something that is rack width, and like the volume control to be right on the speaker selection box... THANKS!

 

[BMXTRIX]

While I tend to lean towards some Sonance products...
http://www.sonance.com/products/electronics/detail/240

I think that the product you have listed seems like it may do a bit better of a job overall.

Now, I would keep (very much!) in mind that there is no chance in the world you are getting 200 watts out of your receiver, and you are putting a fair bit of wear and tear on the receiver if you are using the internal amplifier.

A/V receivers typically measure their power based upon a single, or two channels driven, not all channels, so if you use your surround and your distributed audio at the same time, you will have a fair bit less power for the distributed audio, and it will be hard on the receiver.

Typically, I would recommend that instead of taxing the receiver, that you consider going with an outboard amplifier for your house audio so you aren't putting added wear and tear on the receiver. Unless you have really high end speakers in your home, something as simple as an Audiosource amplifier can do a bang-up job of amplification duties and will not be sharing (and stealing) power from your main surround system.

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38.l1313&_nkw=audiosource+amplifier&_sacat=See-All-Categories

 

[scott911]

I am lucky to have a nice reciever with available power, but you make a good point - perhaps a seperate amp - something picked up used perhaps - might be a better overall solution. thanks for the input...

 

[BMXTRIX]

I am lucky to have a nice reciever with available power, but you make a good point - perhaps a seperate amp - something picked up used perhaps - might be a better overall solution. thanks for the input...

You can always add the amp after the fact as well. It only means you add a set of interconnects from your receiver to the amp and move the speaker wires from the A/V receiver to the amp. Pretty simple to add at any point.

I just know that if I had spent a bunch on my receiver, I wouldn't want to risk it to running a bunch of speakers in my home... just in case.