AVR with TRUE 3-Zone capability

[wtrimble]

Hello all,

What's a good AVR that has true 3 Zone capabilities?

I was looking at the Denon 3313ci, but when I looked up it's owners manual, you can only send out "mono" to both Zone 2 and Zone 3 and not stereo. Who wants that? Maybe mono to Zone 3, for outdoors or something, but not BOTH zones! Crazy.

Well anyways, what's a good AVR around $1000 that can stream out STEREO to Zone 2 and Zone 3?

I'm not concerned with sending out a video signal to either zone, nor an HDMI out for either zone.

I also need network capabilities for Network Streaming from my computer (like to stream FLAC file eventually), SiriusXM interface and an App to use on my android phone and tablet that could control both Zone 2 and Zone 3.

Any good receivers there out there with these requirements?

Thanks for the input

 

[macddmac]

My 3313 will send digital signals through hdmi to zone 2 and analog stereo to zone 3. Not sure what you read but stereo is no problemo.
For zone 2 digital PCM signals, you'll need to run the signal through an outboard dac and then back into the receiver via analog.
I do this with my Emo xda-1. Works great. I believe airplay originating with the network connection on the denon will pass through the zone2/3 analog outs with no issues .
Cheers, Mac
ps check out the xx-13 thread on AVS - Batpig and JDSmoothie do a great job with all things denon.

 

[wtrimble]

Thanks for the response macddmac. I'd rather not have to go through any other equipment to go stream out to two Zones. I believe that's what your referencing for the Zone 2 digital. Any suggestions for an AVR that doesn't require a separate amp or DAC to play out to two different zones?

 

[macddmac]

You don't need either as long as your source is analog for zone 2 and most receivers won't power a zone three unless they have 9 or eleven channel amps in the first place$$$
For a reasonably priced avr with digital source output to zone2, the 3312 is a good choice. Also, when you run zone 2 powered, you give up two channels from your main zone. Not a problem if you're running 5.1 in your main.
ymmv.
Cheers, Mac