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Topic:
Home distribution of stereo signal
This thread has 20 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15.
Post 1 made on Wednesday February 5, 2003 at 10:37
mwl001
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17
Greetings,

I'd be indebted if someone here could help me out. I'm building a new home with 5 sets of prewired stereo outputs throughout the house. I already have a receiver that will send a second, separate output via RCA jacks to another receiver. The prewires will be in multiple areas throughout the house with their own volume controls, and all speaker wires originate in the family room, where my receiver is located.

So much for background. Here's what I need:

1. An amplifier that will power 5+ sets of stereo only speakers, preferable 100 watts/channel.
2. An amplifier that will allow me to select which sets of speakers receive the signal (I'd prefer not to have to run around and turn down volumes.)
3. An amplifier that will accept a line level out (RCA?) instead of speaker level out.
4. Something with little else. I don't need a/v switching, a tuner, bells and whistles, etc.

Now, does such a thing exist?

Thanks,
Mike

FYI, my receiver is a Sony STR-DE985. It cannot power two sets of speakers simultaneously, but it does offer A/B switching and independent 2nd zone output.
Post 2 made on Wednesday February 5, 2003 at 17:49
Matt
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100 watts per channel? That is TON of power. I would say that you don't need this much power for the distributed speakers. If you do, consider seperate amps for each pair, use a distribution amplifer to 'split' this signal to each seperate amp.

But, what it sounds like to me, you need a dedicated distributed audio system. Like AudioAccess, AudioControl, Niles, etc. Take a look into these systems and see if it is what you are looking for.

100 Watts per channel is a GREAT amount of power, and thus a GREAT amount of money. Are you sure that's what you need?
Post 3 made on Wednesday February 5, 2003 at 18:48
Larry Fine
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He could use a decent receiver or control amp and a speaker selector. If the Sony has zone-2 volume control, he could get away with a power amp.

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com
Post 4 made on Wednesday February 5, 2003 at 21:06
Matt
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I guess the main thing is to WATCH YOUR IMPEDANCE. Most receivers like to see a load of 8 ohms. If your running 5 speakers in parallel, your at 1.6 ohms. Defintaly use some type of transformer to increase your impedance, such as a speaker switcher with impedance correction.
OP | Post 5 made on Thursday February 6, 2003 at 09:30
mwl001
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17
Thanks for your replies. After doing a little shopping around, I can see that I don't need 100 watts/channel. I just used that figure because I bought a surround receiver with 500 watts/channel over 5 channels for a reasonable amount of money with lots of features, so I figured a stripped down one with an extra amplifier wouldn't be too much more. I'm kind of lost in this area -- if anyone has specific recommendations I'd appreciate it. More concerned about doing things right, rather than for a certain amount of money. The wires will always be in the walls, so I can wait on the right product if need be. Simplicity is important.
Post 6 made on Thursday February 6, 2003 at 10:24
Malachi
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December 2002
15
I would recommend a Niles SI 245 / 275 distribution amp along with a Nile HDL-6 speaker selector. The HDL has on/off buttons for each set of speakers and can impedence match up to 6 stereo pairs. The SI series of amps were designed to power the speaker selectors so you would never have to worry about the amp being overdriven. We have used Niles products for many years and have never been dissapointed. A very simple and reliable setup.

This message was edited by Malachi on 02/06/03 12:35.
OP | Post 7 made on Thursday February 6, 2003 at 11:38
mwl001
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17
My one problem with that setup would be that my speaker cannot power A/B simultaneously. It can however, send different signals to two zones. I would like to send the speaker signals through this output since it would allow me to run music throughout the house or outside without needing another receiver in the living room. Can I possibly get a line level to speaker level adapter?
Post 8 made on Thursday February 6, 2003 at 12:32
Malachi
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15
The SI series ditribution amps are fed via the line level outputs of your receiver, then changing that to speaker level output to power the HDL speaker selector. If you have a 2nd zone output it would even be possible to listen to one source in your family room, while the rest of the house listens to a different source
Post 9 made on Thursday February 6, 2003 at 18:39
Larry Fine
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On 02/06/03 11:38, mwl001 said...
Can I possibly
get a line level to speaker level adapter?

You are describing an amplifier.

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com
Post 10 made on Thursday February 6, 2003 at 19:06
Matt
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Guess I never thought of it that way larry...LOL
Post 11 made on Thursday February 6, 2003 at 20:20
glaro
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February 2002
101
definately get a new reciever...denon?
you can use imp. matching volume controls and run all five sets on zone 2
Are you sharing the reciever? are you also using it for a surrond reciever?
or ,depending on what type of speakers your using , you can get a 12 channel amp, you'll have an extra pair but i'm sure you'll find a use for it.
as far as switching, you'll probably have to get into some sort of control system, maybe keypads?
i guess you can use a niles speaker selector between the amp and the speakers ,then you'll be able to switch on and off manually.
a 12ch amp would have line level inputs.
Post 12 made on Sunday February 9, 2003 at 17:55
phil
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MWL001
"I just used that figure because I bought a surround receiver with 500 watts/channel over 5 channels for a reasonable amount of money with lots of features"

How much is reasonable money for this receiver and what brand/model did you get?
"Regarding surround sound, I know musicians too well to want them behind my back."
-Walter Becker
Post 13 made on Sunday February 9, 2003 at 22:20
natasrof1
Long Time Member
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January 2003
69
For real. that's 2500 watts.
Post 14 made on Monday February 10, 2003 at 00:36
Larry Fine
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Wow! And to think....I somehow eke by with a measley 2200.

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com
My system
Post 15 made on Monday February 10, 2003 at 07:24
build4u
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March 2002
84
If you want advice from a DYIer who has been there, I did my whole house audio with Elan equipment,,,,BUT,,, if I could do it all over again, I would use something easer to get my hands on. Russound, Niles. The problem is, 1. I am not a dealer 2. the dealer I purchased from is a friend and very bussy, I feel bad bothering him all the time. 3. Getting additional equipment is a pain in the ass.

Stay with off the shelf equipment unless you are a dealer.

mike
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