I have a project coming up that requires distributed audio for 6-8 rooms.

The clients are older and have no interest in using touchscreens or Iphones for control.

Looking for a system that has a keypad control and feedback (feedback is the sense that it tells you want source you are on).

They have no desire for streaming music, system will be used to listen to the TV set box music, CD player and a USB

Most zones will be amplified separately using Sonance Amps but controlled via the DA.

The only 2 systems that I know of that fit the bill are Russound-MCAs or Nuvo-Essentia/Concertio.

Is there any other option still on the market ?

TIA

Are you a Control4 or Elan dealer? Either of those could be set up to do whatever you want. I like C4 keypads better because you can configure them to have just as many buttons as you need. My gut says that RTI and URC can do the same, I just have no experience with either. The ones you listed will work as well. So it looks like you have lots of choices. :)

What is stored on the USB? Audio? Music? Photos?

No Control4 or Elan. Was trying to find a standalone solution...from all the info I have gathered I am leaning towards Russound.


Music on a USB thumbdrive.

How about a nice HiFi console in the Gathering room?

Teach them how to use an iPad and pandora. They’ll thank you in the end

Stand alone? What does that really mean?

|from all the info I have gathered I am leaning towards Russound.

Does Russound have a keypad you can browse USB music on nowadays???

So they can figure out how to put music on a thumb drive but cant figure out Pandora?

I think what you have here are a couple of older folks who may be unfamiliar with what "streaming" actually is.

When I was installing, I'd often run across people who thought Sonos had a monthly fee.  Older folks tend to be against monthly fees.

I assume they have an iphone/tablet?

Personally, I think you're doing them a dis-service by not at least letting them test drive one for a week.  Take your pick Sonos Play 1 or Heos unit.  Stop by, connect it, show them how to use it, and let them play with it for a week.

At the end of the week, if they want to go back to the stone age, take them.

For the record, I installed exactly 2 Russound units and 2 Nuvo Grand Concerto units.  The Russound units are still working (although the only 2 sources are now sonos Connects).  The Grand Concertos both died and Nuvo no longer carried the streaming unit (MPS4).  Same customer, 2 different homes.  They  got replaced by 30 sonos connect amps.

Stand alone? What does that really mean?

|from all the info I have gathered I am leaning towards Russound.

Does Russound have a keypad you can browse USB music on nowadays???

So they can figure out how to put music on a thumb drive but cant figure out Pandora?

This might be a case of "be careful what you wish for". "Keypad" usually means push buttons and maybe a few lines of 7-segmet display. This would be OK for showing that one is listening to a CD or TV and basic control, such as choice of source and volume control, but I don't know how they would navigate through a USB full of music.

Is the pad/phone rejected because it is something to carry around, lack of hard buttons, or is it that computers are "complicated"? Could you use a display keypad?

Do you need to be able to play different sources in each room? Do you need keypads in each room? Could you use a central system and Volume controls in each room? If their focus is TV music channels, it does not seem that they are particularly demanding with respect to audio quality, but it does mean that the keypad should have numeric keys or a few keys that can call up favorite channels.

Russound is a good call
They have an app as well as keypads with feedback. You can ease them into using the app when they are ready. Also does streaming services (not as ,any as sonos)
Doorbell trigger. Line level outs as well as built in amp. Pretty flexible.
Can be controlled by third party moving forward if needed

Are people still using Niles for that sort of set up?

Resound FTW.
Give them the larger, 2 gang keypads.
Comes with an app for when they want/need more control, like parry mode, but it's not necessary for day to day operations.

Sonos/ipad minis...they will never touch a CD again or care about tv set top music.

URC Total Control, and DMS. If they don't want DMS, use a Receiver with 2-way for Tuner like a Sony, Denon or Marantz.