Whole House Speaker Setup

[Alan B]

I'm a newbie posting for the first time, so if this question has been asked before I apologize. I searched prior posts but could not find the answer.

We just finished building our log home and I thought I'd be smart and prewire the house for six sets of speakers. All the wiring had to be run through the logs, which required predrilling. We used good quality 14/2 speaker wire. We have three pair of Klipsch and three pair of Polk Audios. I naively thought all six sets could be powered with an old 50 WPC Technics Amp. So I was wrong. I asked around and it was suggested that I buy a 12 channel amp. So I did--a Niles 1230. Went to hook it up to the old Technics using a standard cable from the record out to main in but no sound. Now I've been told that I need a high powered receiver/amp to get power to the Niles Amp. If the Niles Amp has all the power each channel needs, why do I need more power to get the Amp moving? If I do need a more powerful amp, how much power do I really need? A Denon 3805 was suggested. Is this size receiver overkill or is it (or something of similar power) necessary under the circumstances?

 

[AVRat]

The Niles amp should work fine. The problem is getting the signal to the amp. Is the Technics unit a receiver or Integrated amp?

 

[MacManNM]

You are not going to be able to use the tape out on your old receiver. The niles doesn't appear to have a volume control, and the tape out isn't adjustable. You have 2 choices as far as I can tell.
1. Get a different unit with preamp outputs, most older receivers have them as do newer mid line models.
2. use the headphone output with a 1/4" to RCA adaptor.

I'd get an older 2ch preamp you can grab something good off of e-bay for less than $400. If you want surround sound, then something new is in order.

 

[jcPanny]

Depending on the location of the wiring . . .

You might be able to get something like the Denon 3805 or Yamaha RX-V2500 to run a multichannel (up to 7.1) HT in one room and connect its Zone 2 line output to the Niles Amp.

Did you wire for volume controls, because the Klipsch speakers will probably play louder than the Polks?

 

[Alan B]

Thanks for the responses. The Technics is an old receiver with no preamp. I have six separate volume controls for each speaker zone--Speakercraft volume controls. The Niles Amp has volume controls in the rear. The store that sold me the Niles Amp says I should go with a Denon 3806 for $970. Sound like a good idea? I don't have a T.V. in the cabin (yet). Wife says we should try to keep the environment serine. I expect that to change in a few months once boredom sets in.