Do you already have the Spawn? IMHO Spawn is over rated and over priced. I have seen a lot of problems with them. More so then less expensive units. I have never heard of a multiswitch being fried from cascading. Some might tell you they can't be cascaded but if they don't it should be fine. I know someone came out with the built-in setup you are talking about. Maybe Channel master? I haven't seen it yet so I don't know if it can be cascaded or not.