Multiroom / Multizone Help

[termn8er]

I just built a new home with inwall ELAN speakers in almost every room. I have been looking at a few ways to approach the multi-room issue. To start I figure I want just three zones, home theatre, downstairs and upstairs. All with control capabilities, volume etc.

I know I have a few different ways to approach this, but would like some input. At a minimum I need a new receiver and I was thinking of getting the yamaha multi-cast for multi-zone MP3 capabilities. I know I might also need:

1) a receiver with multizone support (but I think this is too limited)
2) amps for the zones like Yamaha's amp/controler per room
3) or a dedicated multizone/source amp like the Russound, Niles, Nuvo, ChannelPlus, etc.

There are lots of reviews out there, but limited comparisons. Most hi-end stores carry just one brand of multizone dedicated amp.

This is driving me crazy with all the choices out there. Any input would be appreciated about how to approach this.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Denon or Yamaha. Either of those 3 zone units will do you perfectly.

Zone 1: Primary surround zone - your theater.
Zone 2: Distributed audio zone 1 - downstairs. Connect the pre-amp outputs to a decent dedicated amplifier, then to either a speaker selector, or impedence matching volume controls - or both.
Zone 3: Distributed audio zone 2 - upstairs. Same connection as Zone 2 output - volume controls/speaker selector.

The Yamaha, as far as I know, has discrete IR commands for turning on/off zone 2 and zone 3 as well as discrete source selection for those zones. So, an IR repeater/RF universal remote will allow you to control your source from the second and third zones. The volume controls in each room will give you the volume control you need.

The external amplifier, will give you the quality level and amplification you really need to power all the speakers reliably.

The single head end location, the Yamaha receiver (or Denon), allows ALL your sources to be available to ALL the rooms.

 

[termn8er]

Thanks for the reply. So what would you recommend for a decent external amp? What do you think if I get the multicast from Yamaha and their dedicated inwall controler/amplifier MCX-C15P?

 

[BMXTRIX]

I am unfamiliar with Yamahas product, so can't say. But, a quick look just makes me wonder how scalable of a product it is. Would you want to add more functionality, is the MP3 server your primary listening, or is FM good enough - or XM radio. It looks like it may be a fair bit of coinage for the MP3 server, plus you need to get wiring/power to those wall units somehow. If you are in the midst of construction it may not be an issue... But, if you are in the midst of construction I would wire the heck out of the home and look a lot more.

I have a digital music server w/Crestron distribution but most of the time my wife and I just turn on XM Radio for the continuous variety... or lack thereof on certain stations we enjoy.

For amps, there are tons of excellent manufacturers including Niles, Sonance, and others. I use Rotel for all of my distributed audio needs, but I use separate amplification for every room (RMB-1048 x 2)

 

[jcPanny]

Multizone

To take full advantage of a Niles, Sonnace, or Russound distribution amp, you will need cat 5 at the VC location in each room for the keypads.
As BMX suggested, impedence matching volume controls would be a cheaper way to go and won't require the cat5. Also, this allows you to use a single high power stereo amp for each zone. Depending on the power and performance requirements, Pro amps start around $200 and prices go up from there.
If you are buying something as nice as the Yamaha music server, then use it for playback of lossles audio files and stick with a traditional amplifier for more power and performance then the wireless yamaha version. I think it is geared toward people who don't have the wiring or speakers in place.

 

[termn8er]

I should have said that every room is wired with CAT5 and has a panel for a dedicated controler/volume control. I know the Yamaha has both wired and wireless controllers. I just like the fact that it will allow me to serve different MP3 music in different zones at the same time and has great control over the music. I know many of the amps provide inputs for IPODs but that only serves 1 zone and I believe might have limited control over the unit.

 

[jcPanny]

MultiZone Audio System

Since you have the wiring in place and have the budget, check out the distribution amps from Niles, Russound, Sonnace and others. These range in price from $1k-2k per amp depending on the number of channels and features. You will probably need to purchase through a dealer and have them setup and program the keypads. One amp will typically deliver 30 Watts to each of 6-10 speakers. I keypad in each room ($100+ each) connected to the cat-5 will allow you to adjust the volume and select from 4-6 available sources. Some also have an IR sensor for use with a remote. 1 of the sources could be the musicast, 1 FM radio, 1 CD player, etc. This is much more flexible then the 2-3 zones available with a receiver.

If this type of system is too spendy, check out A-Bus for a less expensive option. However, the controler with amp in each room only deliver 10-15 Watts per channel.