Multi Zone system

[sfre46]

I will be remodeling my house and I am looking at about $2000 budget for equiping my house for multi zone / multi input system. I am satisfied with 5.1 system for family room. I most likely would use system to listen to CD in one zone and digital satellite (directv) music stations in another (so at least two different inupts). I would like at least two different zones, but three would be ideal. I imagine having the kitchen, outside patio as one zone; master bedroom and bath as another zone; and the last zone being the family room.

I have researched (a little) and I am familiar with the NILES products, but not sure if that would be overkill if there is a least economical way to accomplish what I want (i.e. a receiver with an amplifier, etc). SO..........

What would be the best and most economical way to accomplish this??

 

[BMXTRIX]

A 3 zone A/V receiver will give you access to all your sources and will provide zone 2 and 3 outputs. Zone 2 if often amplfied if you aren't using the amps in your main room.

So, A/V receiver ($1,000 or less)
zone 2 to internal A/V receiver amp to IR repeater in room you wish to use it + universal/learning remote to control zone 2 (about $100.00 or so)
zone 3 to external amp to impedence matching volume controls in other rooms.
A couple hundred for the amp, a 100 bucks for the volume controls.

Add speakers for each room at whatever they cost for whichever brand you pick.

Under $2K and you get a nice current model surround receiver in the process.

 

[sfre46]

Thanks for the reply

So, If I understand correctly, I will have my main A/V receiver, and amp for zone 3, and volume control for all the rooms I am calling zone 3, with the amp supplying as many speakers as it can to be effective in zone 3? The receiver and its built in amp will control as many speakers in zone 1 and zone 2 as it will allow?

The remote you mention (IR) - is it the remote type where they are built into the wall (like a light switch) and each zone (or room) would have this remote panel where I can 1) switch audio sources and control volume manually at the panel and/or 2) use universeal remote to control the remote panel, and all remote panels are connected to main AV receiver?

 

[BMXTRIX]

Yes, it sounds like you get it.

For your second question - you can do it either way. You can use in-wall keypad remotes, which are more expensive. Or you can put an IR repeater in your wall with any universal remote.

Or, you can just not use a remote at all and just have go back to the receiver to control the source & volume.

Zone 1 = Primary Surround zone - Internally amplified & volume controlled
Zone 2 = Primary Stereo Zone - Interally amplified & volume controlled
Zone 3 = Secondary Stereo Zone(s) - Externally amplified & volume controlled

Zone 1 - Use remote that came with receiver
Zone 2 - Get universal remote and put in a IR receiver wall plate (like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14980&item=5783790697&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW )
Zone 3 = Use in-wall impedence matching volume controls in each room (like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14980&item=5783274010&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW )

Easy!

Except the running wires part.