dual zone receiver under $300

[musta9]

Hi guys another question, I am trying to get a reciever for a guest room. The room will have 2 speakers only, will be used for music only, no TV now or in the future.

The receiver has to have 2 zones to drive speaker in guest bathroom. I read a few things that got me confused. I guess some dual zone receivers don't have a DAC(I don't know what that is), and no amp therefore something else is needed to get the 2nd zone to work. As you can see I am quite a beginner. I need a receiver that will drive the speakers in both rooms without needing other equipment. THe speakers will be Mod 1 Orb speakers for the guest room and an AIM7 DT one speakercraft for the guest bathroom.

Other concerns:
around or less than $300
sound quality
must have FM tuner - good quality
Ipod compatible would be nice but not a must

I am OK with a 5.1 channel but I've read that its better to have a stereo receiver if that is what I am going to use it for.

I found the following receivers:

Yamaha RX497
Denon DRA-685
Denon AVR1708
Onkyo TX-8222
Onkyo TX-8555
Onkyo TX-SR 576

HELP I would really appreciate the HELP/ advice

 

[Nomo]

Just to clarify; Do you actually need a second Zone that plays an alternate source than what is on the main zone of the receiver?
All of the receivers you have listed, and most within that price range will reqire an external amp to power the second zone.

Or can you live with both outputs playing the same thing? All of these units have A/B speakers outputs and will do the job with only their internal amps.

Of the choices, my pick would be the Onkyo 8555. I'm still running one of it's predecessors in my garage and it's a tank.

Edit: The TX-SR576 does not appear to have A/B speaker selection. Just an unpowered Zone 2.

 

[musta9]

Thanks Nomo, I want both outputs to play the same thing. Will I still need an external amp to do just this?

 

[markw]

Not if your receiver has A/B speaker outputs. Most do.

 

[musta9]

bought the onkyo-8555 thanks for the help