simple request for a jackass

[Tone Deaf]

We have ceiling speakers in the kitchen and family room but the receiver/cd changer is as old as dirt. Can someone help me recommending a simple piece of equipment that will play the radio and some CD's? Do I need to buy a separate receiver and CD player? Is there a better turner to be had for the radio?

thanks

 

[Nemo128]

Do you want to reuse the ceiling speakers? If so, how are they wired? Normal 2-terminal wire? No proprietary stuff?

 

[BMXTRIX]

Any volume controls? How are you currently running audio to them? What additional sources would you like to have?

If there are two wall mounted volume controls and only 4 total speakers then perhaps a amplifier and source selector may be appropriate. Then add a CD (or DVD) player along with an iPod player connection as well.

No surround sound anywhere?

 

[Tone Deaf]

Do you want to reuse the ceiling speakers? If so, how are they wired? Normal 2-terminal wire? No proprietary stuff?

Yes, we will use the ceiling speakers. Normal 2-terminal. thanks

 

[Tone Deaf]

Any volume controls? How are you currently running audio to them? What additional sources would you like to have?

If there are two wall mounted volume controls and only 4 total speakers then perhaps a amplifier and source selector may be appropriate. Then add a CD (or DVD) player along with an iPod player connection as well.

No surround sound anywhere?

Just 4 in ceiling speakers, no surround sound. The speakers are connected to an old device that has a 5 cd changer, cassette deck and radio tuner. I don't have any wall mounted vaolume controls. I am looking for a device that can play cd's, radio, ipod dock and possible satellite radio. Very small house. Don't need much power. thanks

 

[BMXTRIX]

Are the four speakers broken into separate areas, or are they all controlled with the same volume at the same time?

If you want them all playing at the same time, at the same volume, then a surround receiver set to '7 channel stereo' will do the trick nicely without a lot of cost. You wouldn't even need a two zone receiver.

On the other hand, if you want each zone to be controlled individually, then you will need a two zone receiver or some other setup to accomplish this. I think the two zone receiver is the easiest way to give you independent volume control and generally offers built in zone 2 amplification.

You can then get any CD player you want. Most decent A/V receivers have built in FM tuning and XM/Sirius radio is now very common as well as iPod playback options.

They go beyond what you need as they handle video and a ton of other stuff, but because they are 'popular', their price is also far less than what you may end up spending on other options.

Still... Other option:
Amplifier: Sonance Sonamp 260 MKII 2 Channel Amplifier | eBay

Two zone volume control: Niles SVL-4 4-pair speaker selector with volume controls | eBay

Source selector: Zektor HDTV Audio/Video Switch HDS4-SLV | eBay

You can see things are starting to pile up and add up, and with only two zones then a receiver may be a better choice.

Something like this sounds good...
DENON US)

But, if you want to run the speakers in the second zone at a different volume level, independently, or with a different source then you will need to purchase an additional amplifier to power zone 2.

Instead, something like this is more ideal:
DENON US)

While that's brand new, you can really go for a model a couple of years old which is in good shape for just a couple hundred bucks or so. You don't need the latest and greatest in video compatibility it seems, so for audio, the technology from a 2310 or similar should do you just fine.

 

[Tone Deaf]

Are the four speakers broken into separate areas, or are they all controlled with the same volume at the same time?

If you want them all playing at the same time, at the same volume, then a surround receiver set to '7 channel stereo' will do the trick nicely without a lot of cost. You wouldn't even need a two zone receiver.

On the other hand, if you want each zone to be controlled individually, then you will need a two zone receiver or some other setup to accomplish this. I think the two zone receiver is the easiest way to give you independent volume control and generally offers built in zone 2 amplification.

You can then get any CD player you want. Most decent A/V receivers have built in FM tuning and XM/Sirius radio is now very common as well as iPod playback options.

They go beyond what you need as they handle video and a ton of other stuff, but because they are 'popular', their price is also far less than what you may end up spending on other options.

Still... Other option:
Amplifier: Sonance Sonamp 260 MKII 2 Channel Amplifier | eBay

Two zone volume control: Niles SVL-4 4-pair speaker selector with volume controls | eBay

Source selector: Zektor HDTV Audio/Video Switch HDS4-SLV | eBay

You can see things are starting to pile up and add up, and with only two zones then a receiver may be a better choice.

Something like this sounds good...
DENON US)

But, if you want to run the speakers in the second zone at a different volume level, independently, or with a different source then you will need to purchase an additional amplifier to power zone 2.

Instead, something like this is more ideal:
DENON US)

While that's brand new, you can really go for a model a couple of years old which is in good shape for just a couple hundred bucks or so. You don't need the latest and greatest in video compatibility it seems, so for audio, the technology from a 2310 or similar should do you just fine.

WOW, That was really informative. Thanks a ton! I plan to keep it simple and will not go for the independent volume control. I guess I will have to buy two separate devices; one receiver and one cd player. I'm surprised they dont stick a cd player into these receivers. Thanks again!!!!