RE: Whole House Audio Questions

["David Pullen" <dpullen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Mark

I am using Exstreamer, slimserver and an Instreamer as a basis for my
whole house audio - it is not complete yet though! I have added some
comments to those of Stuart.

Hope this helps

Best Regards
David

Date: Fri, 04 Jun 2004 11:21:10 +0100
From: "Stuart Grimshaw" <stuart@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Whole House Audio Questions

On Fri, 04 Jun 2004 08:22:38 -0000, markttay <markttay@xxxxxxx>
wrote:

> I am in the process of building a new house, and aim to incorporate
> many HA features. One thing I plan to do is install a whole house
> audio system. I would like to eliminate the use of IR in the house
> and control everything from a browser interface on Ipaqs or similar
> via a wireless network. I also cannot afford to shell out a fortune
> on proprietary systems from Linn, Crestron and the like. I have been
> experimenting with a Barix Exstreamer and have found them pretty
> good, particularly the ability to control playlists etc. via a web
> interface. I plan to have and Exstreamer (or similar) for each zone
> in a central location connected to an amplifier wired to sets of
> speakers. I believe that a centralised system will be easier to
> maintain and there is less chance of signal degradation running the
> speaker output across longer distances than line level.

> I'm not sure I would go this route, you will get a much more flexible

> system by having the extreamer/slimp3/rio/whatever in the room where
you
> are listening, each connected to it's own dedicated amp.

> It just seems daft to me to shell out on a device like the Extreamer
and
> then have them all located centrally like that. Perhaps you might have

> more joy looking at some of the other streaming media devices that
come
> with built in amps? There are plenty about (check out
> www.automatedhome.co.uk for some reviews), but I'm afraid I don't know
the
> specifics of the amplification they offer.

I would agree with Stuart. I think the big advantage of the Exstreamers
(and other similar devices) is that you can locate them locally avoiding
long distances for line level and speakers. I am using the Exstreamers
locally and setting up the systems out of the way. Because it is all
controlled over the web I don't even need to see the Exstreamer or the
amplifier.

> One challenge I have is on amplification. Barix do a version of the
> Exstreamer with a built in 10watt per channel amplifier - this will
> not be sufficient for my requirements. I am therefore looking for a
> suitable amplifier of 30 watts per channel or more that I can link
> to the output of the Exstreamers. At present the volume control (via
> the web interface) of the Exstreamer seems to boost the line level,
> which, when I tested it at higher levels created distortion when put
> through my standard hifi system. Should I therefore be looking for
> some kind of pre-amplifier stage that sits between the power
> amplifier and Exstreamer so that the Exstreamer line level stays
> constant, or is boosting the line level exactly what a pre-amp does?
> Can anyone suggest such a pre-amp (or integrated amplifier) that can
> be controlled via an IP interface and will not break the bank?

I am controlling the volume from the exstreamer. Yes it does boost the
line level but I have not had problems with getting the volume right. I
think it is really just a question of playing with the volume of the amp
and the exstreamer to get the right balance. You really shouldn't set
either at more than about 60%. However, if it is really a problem you
could use the browser to get the exstreamer to send IR to the amplifier
and control the volume (and other features)that way. I have not used
this facility but I understand that it does work. I am mainly using
Marantz amplifiers (PM4x00 and PM 7x00) with the exstreamers and an
Audiolab in my office. There are historical reasons for the choice of
the Marantz but they work pretty well, you get a good range of quality
for different rooms, two sets of speaker outputs (but not IR
controllable) and a consistent control interface.

I would be surprised if you could get an IP controllable amp with good
audio quality that is not expensive so you may find that using the IR
facility of the exstreamer is much more cost-effective.

Don't forget that you should be able to use xPL/xAP with the exstreamers
- there is still some work in progress but I am sure that everything
will be working in time for your project.


> The other thing that would be a nice to have is to use the whole
> house audio for sound from TV and video sources that would also be
> centralised. I was thinking of using something like Keith Doxey's
> Kat5 Switcher (if/when it arrives!) or a Nexus for the video signal
> but have the sound come from the appropriate zone in the whole house
> audio system. I am not sure about being able to synchronise the
> video and audio though. I would be very grateful for any thoughts or
> suggestions.

> Barix also have a product called the InStreamer (is it still a beta
> product?), you could use one of these to distribute the audio from
> whatever source you like. I'm sure there are other devices like the
> InStreamer to look at too, but that's the only one I know.

I am using the Instreamer. It is not a beta product but there are still
a few teething problems. You could stream the audio but you will not be
able to synch with the video. It is good for streaming other sources and
I use it primarily to stream radio. I think you would probably be best
served by using Kat5 to deliver both the video and the audio and then
switch the sound through the local amp. But video doesn't feature highly
in our house so I am far from expert.