Re: Wiring panel for living area

["Dennis" <djr-google.djrlar@xxxxxxxx>]

Hi Bill,

True enough, I've never had a zone selectable system.  I've found many
times that once you have a capability it's hard to imagine being
without it again.  That's why I'm kicking around ideas now before I
commit to one.

Thanks
Dennis


Bill Kearney wrote:
> > Thanks for the ideas, they are what I was looking for. I am considering
> > both the multi-channel amplifier approach, although I don't see a need
> > for the multiple inputs on them
>
> Never underestimate why you might want zones.  We have three that see
> regular use, two mp3 streams and an FM tuner.  We also have a Tivo, DVD
> player and CD carousel.  The last two don't see that much use.  But if it
> were only one zone I could definitely see problems.  At comfortable
> listening levels it's nice to be able to listen to different sources in
> different rooms.  For example, I can listen/watch TV in the kitchen while
> cooking while music is playing in the living room.  Or listen to morning FM
> radio in the bathroom while podcasts are streamed to the home office.  Or
> just my listening to one genre of music while my wife listens to another.
>
> > fed from an AV 5.1/7.1 receiver, or an
> > A-bus system with the same AV receiver.  Do you know of any A-BUS zone
> > controls that have more then the 6 watts/channel that I am finding?
>
> Which ones have you seen?  Aren't the Russound units higher wattage than
> that?  I've got one of their A-Bus keypads driving a medium-sized bedroom
> and it cranks up pretty well.  No good for teen head-banging levels but
> certainly loud enough for most normal use (definitely WELL above just
> 'background' level)
>
> > It's also not clear from what I have read if I could find an AV
> > receiver with the A-BUS interface built in, including the IR control of
> > the source switching without the need to use the stick on IR emitters.
> > It seems like a natural configuration, but so far I haven't seen one.
>
> I believe Harmon Kardon makes some that have an A-Bus output of some sort.
> I've never used one so I can't comment on it's suitability.