Integra DTM 5.3 with Behringer A500, and Emotiva XP5 questions

[Shell]

I'm looking at using the DTM 5.3 in my whole house audio system.
I want 3 zones.
Zone 1-downstairs(4 Speakercraft AIM's with sub),
Zone 2-upstairs(1 pair of rectangular Speakercrafts) and this spring, I'll add Zone 3-outside(Need to buy 4 pairs of speakers and one sub).

The house came with the speakercrafts inside, along with VC's for upstairs and outside. Unsure if VCs are impedance matching.

I'd like to use the A-500 to push the upstairs pair, and the XP5 to push the outside speakers. Zone 1 would use the 5.3's A&B outputs plus sub line out.

Some questions...
1. How is the 5.3 considers to be a 3 zone amp? I could not see outputs for zone 3 on the pic of the back of the unit.

2. I assume since its described as 2 source that it can only output from 2 of its inputs simultaneously? Can it output to all 3 zones simultaneoisly if 2 zones share a source?

3. How would I configure the wiring in order to send the correct signal/power to the outdoor subwoofer? Or should I just leave 1 channel of the XP5 unused, and get a powered sub and let it filter its own frequencies?

4. If each pair of speakers has its own amp channel, do I still need impedance matching volume controls?

Thanks for your advice.

 

[Shell]

Edit

Thread title should read Behringer A500, DAN waited too long to edit.

 

[mike c]

Thread title should read Behringer A500, DAN waited too long to edit.

fixed

4. If each pair of speakers has its own amp channel, do I still need impedance matching volume controls?

no you don't need impedance matching VC's if the A500 or emotiva is powering one speaker per channel (if the speakercrafts are 8 ohm, you can even power two of them per channel)

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Sorry, everyone's watching football right now.

I am not familar with the Integra DTM 5.3 and when I try to look at the back of it, I can't pull up the picture. It likely uses either the surround backs or precence speakers for zone 3.

If you are running a dedicated amp to each zone an IVC wouldn't be needed.

It also looks like it has a sub out for the second zone so you should be good there.

 

[Shell]

Enjoy your ballgame, it's all good. I gots time Dawg.

I couldnt get Integra's pic to come up either. The specs page is confusing also, since they list alot of things that don't actually sound like they'd belong on a stereo reciever, as well as a few that do, and the red checkmarks seem fairly sparse.
I took it that the 2nd zone had no sub out, as I don't see on their pic that I finally found on a different site.
Here's a link to it:
http://www.dreamtheatres.com/uploadimages/Integra%20DTM-5.3%20rear%20view.jpg

 

[Adam]

Perhaps the "B" speakers are considered as another zone? That would give you:

Zone 1: Amped by "A" speaker terminals
Zone 2: Pre-amp or digital outputs to an external amp/decoder
Zone 3: Amped by "B" speaker terminals

Just a thought.

 

[adk highlander]

I have downloaded and looked through the manual. Took me a minute because I looked at the DTR-5.3 which is a surround receiver at first and was a bit confused.

So the B speakers seem to be considered a "Zone" on this model. So you would use the A500 to power your zone 2 and the receivers amp to run the A & B.

The big issue here is there are NO pre-outs on this unit. You will not be able to use the Emotiva to power the main speakers. The DTR-5.3 has preouts but the DTM-5.3 does not.

 

[Shell]

B for a " zone"? LAME. 1 set of pre outs? Being new to all this, I thought there was some connectivity option I didn't recognize, but I should have believed my own eyes.
Its my bad, I shouldn't have jumped on the unit, even though I got it for a good price, until I had verified those issues. "3 Zone, 2 Source" made it sound like its capable of doing what I need. I felt like "Integra", as a high end manufaturer, would be above using misleading descriptions to huck product.

Looks like I'll have a an Integra DTM for sale when I get home in October.

Would you guys suggest a good 3 zone stereo reciever model? I don't need video capability, just audio.

Thanks, Shell

 

[adk highlander]

I picked up an MZA-4.7 which is a true 4 zone audio/video that uses keypads to control the unit and sources. I like Onkyo/Integra but the way that they show that on the site is very confusing.

What is your budget?

Niles makes some great multizone units that can control multiple zones. Sonance also makes multizone preamps that will do what you are looking for. These are just stereo sound and many only offer analog connections. I don't know of many multizone units that will digital sources.

You may also look at what I use for my main theater. The Onkyo PR-SC885P which is a surround sound preamp with 3 zones. Zones 2 and 3 even have a sub out and zone 2 has component out for video. The only bad news is that the Zone 2 & 3 are analog only so if you use HDMI in the main zone it will need analog as well for the other zones.

After we know your budget there may be other suggestions.

 

[Shell]

There are a couple ways to go here.

After thinking about it, I'll go ahead and use the DTM 5.3 for now. After I add the Behringer A500 to its Zone 2 pre out, the DTM 5.3 will take care of all the speakers I have inside the house.
This spring, when I add my outdoor speakers, I'll move The DTM 5.3 into my shop for a standalone setup with 2 pairs of inwalls and a sub. This will, in effect, lessen the amount of speakers that zone 3 originally had planned also.

Long story short, I'll need either a receiver plus amp(s?) or prepro plus amp(s) that can handle Zone 1(2 pair+sub), Zone 2(1 pair), and Zone 3(3 pair+sub).

If I use a stereo receiver, with true 3 zone capability, then I'll already have the A500 for Zone 2, so if I use a powered outdoor sub, I'd only need a 3 channel amp for Zone 3, right?
Budget~$1500 for just receiver/prepro plus amp? I have some wiggle room with that figure.
Thanks.

 

[Seth=L]

I picked up an MZA-4.7 which is a true 4 zone audio/video that uses keypads to control the unit and sources. I like Onkyo/Integra but the way that they show that on the site is very confusing.

What is your budget?

Niles makes some great multizone units that can control multiple zones. Sonance also makes multizone preamps that will do what you are looking for. These are just stereo sound and many only offer analog connections. I don't know of many multizone units that will digital sources.

You may also look at what I use for my main theater. The Onkyo PR-SC885P which is a surround sound preamp with 3 zones. Zones 2 and 3 even have a sub out and zone 2 has component out for video. The only bad news is that the Zone 2 & 3 are analog only so if you use HDMI in the main zone it will need analog as well for the other zones.

After we know your budget there may be other suggestions.

I've never seen a receiver that considered section "B" to be a second zone. A second zone is completely independent in level control as well as source, speaker "B" always has received the same input source as "A" while using the same level control in my experience (unless it's assignable, but it's usually the surround rear speakers that are assignable to Zone duties).

 

[adk highlander]

I've never seen a receiver that considered section "B" to be a second zone. A second zone is completely independent in level control as well as source, speaker "B" always has received the same input source as "A" while using the same level control in my experience (unless it's assignable, but it's usually the surround rear speakers that are assignable to Zone duties).

I know what you are saying. It is the only way I can see to explain where they are getting 3 zone 2 source that the advertise. So with the A & B using the same source you get 3 zones using 2 sources. A & B would always use the same source.

 

[jcPanny]

Receiver zones.

Shell,
FYI, the receiver zone 1,2,3 feature is a nice and allows you to play a different source in each zone but it is not necessary. It would allow you to play a different source in the main HT, house speakers, and outdoor speakers. You may find that 99% of the time you want to play the same source on all of the speakers or the same source on the inside and outside house speakers, in which case you need 2 zones. If you want to feed 2 amplifiers off of the receiver's, a couple RCA splitter cables will do the trick. My receiver doesn't have the zone 2 (or 3) feature and I have not missed it.

Not sure what you have planned for the back yard, but the Emotiva with 2-300 Watts for each speaker is probably overkill. Consider 1 Emo for all of the speakers (inside and outside) or 2 of the Behringers. The A500 is stable into 4 ohms so you could attach 2 pairs of speakers without any additional impedance matching.

I have not used any outdoor subs, but nearly all HT subs are powered so they include their own amplifier.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Re-read whet Highlander posted.

"The big issue here is there are NO pre-outs on this unit".

Shell,
FYI, the receiver zone 1,2,3 feature is a nice and allows you to play a different source in each zone but it is not necessary. It would allow you to play a different source in the main HT, house speakers, and outdoor speakers. You may find that 99% of the time you want to play the same source on all of the speakers or the same source on the inside and outside house speakers, in which case you need 2 zones. If you want to feed 2 amplifiers off of the receiver's, a couple RCA splitter cables will do the trick. My receiver doesn't have the zone 2 (or 3) feature and I have not missed it.

Not sure what you have planned for the back yard, but the Emotiva with 2-300 Watts for each speaker is probably overkill. Consider 1 Emo for all of the speakers (inside and outside) or 2 of the Behringers. The A500 is stable into 4 ohms so you could attach 2 pairs of speakers without any additional impedance matching.

I have not used any outdoor subs, but nearly all HT subs are powered so they include their own amplifier.

 

[Shell]

PDawg- There a pre outs for Zone2, and for the Zone1 sub. But its not a true 3 zone.
JC- I can see your point for some, and I'm not saying I'm old either, but... I don't think I'll want to listen to the same music my 5 year old daughter and friends are listening to, or don't want her listening to everything I listen to, or something like that.
I'll take your multi speaker per amp channel advice into account and look at it from that perspective.
As for suggestions,
How about the Denon DRA 697, looks like it would be a true 3 zone receiver?