need a multizone reciever

[commode air]

Hi all, looking for advice on a 3 zone reciever (3 rooms) for my house. Looking to spend under 500 dollars. Will buy used if I have to. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[adk highlander]

500 may be tough for 3 independent zones. Most receivers that have 3 zones will need an external amp for at least the 3rd zone. Most will only play analog sources as well.

Do you really need to play different sources in all three zones or would a speaker selector to turn on speakers in each area enough? I use an Integra MZA-4.7 to have 3 independent zones with both video and sound but with the keypads and remotes you are looking at nearly 3 times your budget amount.

 

[bandphan]

http://cgi.ebay.com/NILES-AUDIO-ZR4630-Gloria-Multizone-Receiver_W0QQitemZ280384055189QQcmdZViewItemQQptZHome_Theater_in_a_Box?hash=item4148312795

4 zone receiver for 650.... Seth has a yama AVR that can do 3 zones(5.1 only in the main) in the classified section for a bit over your budget also.

As Craig mentioned 3 zones powered is tuff on the budget..

 

[pthoresen]

If you can still find a Marantz SR5003 you may be in luck.
Amazon had them on sale a few weeks ago for around 5-550
but they are now out of stock as they make room for the new ones.

but if you could find it, it may be worth considering.

 

[bandphan]

If you can still find a Marantz SR5003 you may be in luck.
Amazon had them on sale a few weeks ago for around 5-550
but they are now out of stock as they make room for the new ones.

but if you could find it, it may be worth considering.

I think, could be wrong, the OP is looking for all zones powered Seths 3800 would be the sweet deal

 

[commode air]

What I really want to do with the reciever is listen to the radio or my ipod in different rooms. Not necesarily the tv in one room the, the radio in the other etc,,, Does this reciever constitute a multi zone? or is it just a basic reciever that can handle 6 different speakers? 3 zones.... If so is the denon 397 the kind of reciver that I would like?

 

[adk highlander]

What I really want to do with the reciever is listen to the radio or my ipod in different rooms. Not necesarily the tv in one room the, the radio in the other etc,,, Does this reciever constitute a multi zone? or is it just a basic reciever that can handle 6 different speakers? 3 zones.... If so is the denon 397 the kind of reciver that I would like?

The 397 will accomplish that along with an impedance matching speaker selector. You will not be able to hook 3 sets of speakers to the receiver hense the selector. Something like this would work: http://www.amazon.com/Selector-Impedance-Matching-Protection-ISS4/dp/B001DW6MWE

 

[highfigh]

Hi all, looking for advice on a 3 zone reciever (3 rooms) for my house. Looking to spend under 500 dollars. Will buy used if I have to. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

If you want the most flexibility and will use an RF remote with assignable IR outputs, three Sherwood receivers (or something like that) would work as well as anything and you'll have a lot more power than a Niles multi-zone receiver. The least expensive Sherwood is about $150.

 

[commode air]

ADK, so are you saying to get the Denon 397 but I will also need this device from amazon. Dude im clueless

 

[adk highlander]

Let me list out what I think you are saying you want and how I would recommend setting it up.

You want a receiver that will allow you to play a variety of sources (CD, Ipod, radio, etc.) through 3 sets of selectable speakers. You do not need/want independent source control for each set of speakers, just the ability to switch a set on or off.

Receivers do not have 3 sets of speaker posts that work like an A/B/C type of set up so you need a speaker selector box like the one I linked. Now in order to not overload your amp you need one that will match the impedance so it loads the receiver like a standard 8ohm pair.

So you will connect your sources to the receiver and run a pair of speaker wires from the main left right out to the left/right inputs on the speaker selector. Then run each set of speaker wires from the box to the speakers in each zone. Now you will control the volume for the entire system through the receiver and control which source (cd, ipod etc.) through the receiver and use the selector to control which speakers are playing.

Let me know if that is what you are thinking you want or if I am way off.

 

[commode air]

ADK you are correct this is exactly what I want to do, Wire three different rooms for sound, radio, ipod etc and have independent control knobs on the wall for each room. I guess I could buy any reciever and hook up the device you recommended, and be set. Or will I also need an amp? thanks for your input.

 

[commode air]

ADK that being said what reciever would you recommend?

 

[adk highlander]

ADK you are correct this is exactly what I want to do, Wire three different rooms for sound, radio, ipod etc and have independent control knobs on the wall for each room. I guess I could buy any reciever and hook up the device you recommended, and be set. Or will I also need an amp? thanks for your input.

Your comment about "independent control knobs" changes what I suggested a bit. These would only be able to control the volume and not change sources unless you do some kind of IR or RF remote control. I am not sure about using the speaker selector and the volume controls. If bandphan comes back on later and checks this thread he will let you know how to wire it with volume controls. Here is one from partsexpress. You will also need this distribution panel. I think you will also need to run the amp in fixed mode so it is ouputing at maximum so the volume controls will work poperly.