Speakercraft BB-1235?

[tmurnin]

I have a Denon aVR-2809 that I use to power my HT in zone one and then pre-amp out currently to a Rotel RB-1070 w/speaker selector box for zone 2 (basically background music in 4 other rooms/patio). I am considering replacing the Rotel/speaker selector with a dedicated 12-channel amp. I currently get the Denon AVR shutting down at parties when I have both zone 1 & 2 playing at high volumes (I do have ample ventilation and a small media cabinet fan). The local HT store told me he thinks one of the reasons for this is the speaker selector box just can't handle that load over multiple hours.

So, three questions. 1 - does this make sense to anyone that the speaker selector box would be a problem?

2 - will replacing the Rotel/speaker selector improve my current audio fidelity/volume in the zone 2 rooms?

3 - store is pushing the Speakercraft BB-1235 (and offering a pretty sweet deal). I can't find any reviews on this unit online and the in-store demo has it hooked up to dedicated B&W bookshelf speakers while I'll be playing it thru Jamo in-ceilings. Not sure I'm getting a true demo. Does anyone have experience with this amp?

 

[M Code]

The BB1235 is an excellent amplifier, rated @ 35W/CH x 12.
Its SRP is $1279, and you should be able to get it for about 50% off. It has discrete outputs & level controls for each channel and is built by one of the larger OE amplifier factories in Taiwan.

Make sure you connect this into a high current AC outlet. Excellent reliability, we have installed many of these...

Just my $0.02...

 

[tmurnin]

Thanks for the info on the receiver. What do you think about the suggestion that replacing the speaker selector with the amp will help the other issues?

 

[M Code]

What brand is the speaker selector box? Niles?
Those have internal chokes to balance the impedance and to keep it above 4 Ohms, many amplifiers built into the AVR are not compatible with these.

Just my $0.02...

 

[tmurnin]

Speaker selector box is Jamo (same as the speakers). Wouldn't the 12 channel amp take care of the impedance matching? The AVR shouldn't enter into it other than sending the source signal to the 12 channel, correct?

 

[M Code]

Speaker selector box is Jamo (same as the speakers). Wouldn't the 12 channel amp take care of the impedance matching? The AVR shouldn't enter into it other than sending the source signal to the 12 channel, correct?

If each amplifier is connected directly to its respective loudspeaker then this is the best way...

Just my $0.02...

 

[BMXTRIX]

Yes, you are running into a normal issue I've seen when people try to use 'zone 2' to run their whole home and not only does the audio stink, but it can damage the receiver. Zone 2 is for another room, not for an entire home.

So, this is where a multi-channel amplifier, like one of these makes a lot of sense:
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=12+channel+amplifier&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Sonance, Speakercraft, and Niles are all good choices.

One speaker per channel, then you can use the zone 2 output of the receiver (line level) to feed the amplifier, and share that input with all the outputs. Very easy to use, and you won't have any issues at all.

I run over a dozen zones in my home and use Rotel RMB-1048 amplifiers, and they sound great and I've never had an issue in over five years. Not one.

You may also want to look at 8 channel amplifiers if you only have 4 stereo zones to run:
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=8+channel+amplifier&_sacat=0&_odkw=16+channel+amplifier&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

 

[BoomerSooner303]

Ten year bump!

Does this rig have phono? Or do I need a separate phono stage? Would like to run two or more TTs off one rig so need at least two phono inputs really.

 

[lovinthehd]

Ten year bump!

Does this rig have phono? Or do I need a separate phono stage? Would like to run two or more TTs off one rig so need at least two phono inputs really.

Nice resurrection. If you mean the BB-1235 it appears only to be a distribution type power amp, no pre-amp feature let alone a specific phono pre-amp/RIAA stage.

 

[BoomerSooner303]

That certainly tells me what I need to know!

Now I just need to figure out how to make something like that work!

Just a separate phono preamp I guess, correct?

I’ve not been at this for long and I also have a migraine so clarity of thought is at a premium right now.

 

[lovinthehd]

That certainly tells me what I need to know!

Now I just need to figure out how to make something like that work!

Just a separate phono preamp I guess, correct?

I’ve not been at this for long and I also have a migraine so clarity of thought is at a premium right now.

Yes, they do sell external phono stages, some of those can handle multiple tts, too. Or use a pre-amp for a variety of sources where they have provided for multiple turntables....

 

[TowKing]

... four years later... If someone is reading this with similar issues, FYI. It was never mentioned in the original or subsequent posts that the BB1235 can be run with a BUS, AUX, input, or a separate input for each channel. Plus, it can be bridged to produce 70WPC X6, making it very versatile. I love this thing! Except when I moved recently. It's GIGANTIC and HEAVY!