Hi Guys,
I have a client that wishes to use either RX 800s or RX3000 with the rf250 base to control a six zone, six source system.
I know I could go with seperate receivers however I'd like to know if there is a way to use a single multi source,multi-zone integrated amp or preamp/amp combination without purchasing the keypads and hiding them( The home is built and getting cat 5 to each room will be just about impossible.

The Theater Master rf250 will allow me to address the ir outputs so Im looking for a preamp section that have individual ir eyes or connections.

Thanks in advance

Niles, Elan, Xantech, Russound B&K. Let me know if you need more.

Thanks for the quick responce Shoe, I had already checked with Russound, Niles, and Xantech. They offer product that will do what I want however they will only work with the inclusion of a seperate keypad for each zone.
Any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Use a SpeakerCraft Eazy6. It has an individual IR Input for each zone. The unit has no amplification. You will need a 12 channel amp such as the SpeakerCraft BB1235 or BB1265.

Robbie S

Thanks AVX thats exactly what I was looking for.

And if you want a one piece answer, then you can use the Speakercraft MZC-66 which is essentially an Easy-6 packaged with a BB-1235 amp.

But, if you use the Speakercraft stuff be prepared to use the MX3000 remote, not the MX-800. I just got done doing exactly what you are trying to do. I had a situation where I could not get keypads to two locations because all walls are block. I put IR receivers in/on the speakers and programmed a remote to access those two zones.

You have to program the system like there is a keypad present, then learn the proprietary IR functions for the keypad into a programmable remote. It sounded easy, but the twist is that each individual button has a distinct IR code depending on which source is selected. For instance, the play button sends a different IR code when the CD source is selected than when the DVD source is selected. The same is true for volume, etc. You would have to set up a separate device for each source selection, for each zone (yeah, could be 36 devices if you have 6 sources/6 zones), in order to use the volume and other function hard keys on an MX-700/800. Then you have to directly learn each command from the Easy6/MZC-66 software. BTW, you have to buy one of Speakercraft's learn/test modules to be able to do that.

What I ended up doing was using a Pronto TSU300 and creating invisible page flips for each source within the zones. I still had to set up four pages (I was only using four sources) within each zone and learn all of the commands one by one.

I like the system as a whole, and it sounds very good. The price point ($2500 retail for the MZC66) is good, but the MZC88 may be a better deal with the two built in tuners and the additional two zones.

For what you are doing, it may behoove you to look into a different system with a little less complicated IR maze and then try the Speakercraft piece when you are using their keypads.

Just my .02.

John

depending on budget you could try a xantech mrc88. These are available without their keypads. You can then add a connecting block for each zone to take ir only into it.The internal commands are easy to learn as they are all on xantechs rc68 remote.
We have done something similiar just using crestron touchpanels to control.
My 0.01 worth (nz dollar worth about this)
regards Bri

You can use someting like this if you don't have too many zones.

[Link: marantz.com]
or this is nice piece but requires amps
[Link: marantz.com]

Bob

All of the systems in my previous post are controllable without a keypad using IR sensors and readily available IR codes

I would take a look at the B&K CT-600/610.

It's programming is extremely flexible -- all zones can even be controlled from a single input, if you want. I think the MX remotes also have the IR codes in their built-in database.