So with airplay 2 out....

Can you airplay directly to zone 1 and 2 on any of the denons? You know without the typical bs where it airplays to zone 1, then you can port it to zone 2, then you have to switch back zone 1 to whatever source it was playing if one was watching tv in zone 1....and then volume button on the iPhone is stick controlling zone 1 even though you are airplaying to zone 2.

Wondering if it is still hodge podge cluster F with limitations.


All i want to do is hit the airplay icon on my phone and see Denon AVR, Denon AVR zone 2 and airplay directly to either or both at the same time. Blows my mind if you still can't do this is 2019 yet.

I would have a hard time not switching brands if someone had this available. Manufacturers shouldve pieced this together when adding second zone to receiver with airplay never mind waiting for airplay 2.

ya it blows my mind. So I would assume its safe to say nobody offers this yet?

I don't think so but that statement isnt worth a canadian penny so hopefully others will respond.

Why not just use the built in HEOS?

Heos is still limited to one stream for both zones , not one for each

that and I want it simple. hit airplay icon on phone and done. not open heos app. do this. do that. do another step. then this. then that. and you have music.


simplicity is key.

The key is to stop selling AVR's as zone machines.
Buy a Denon 5.1 / 7.1 / 9.1 to suit the speakers and configuration of the cinema zone. Then, add a second piece of hardware (HEOS Amp) for Zone 2, 3 or 4 etc.
Then all products and zones will have their own IP address, network DAC and indeed Airplay Zones so they will be independent for Airplay / Spotify etc.

The same goes for Yamaha - integrate WXA50's for zone 2 / 3 / 4 duties etc.

Both HEOS and MusicCast allow you to share all sources between amplifiers / zones - you just need to stop selling zoned AVR's unless you're at the very entry point of the market. And if you are... consider, are they your customer?

Ya this particular install it is just not in the budget so I am trying to make miracles happen on a shoe string budget.

Can you not find a budget 5.1 AVR plus a dealio on a zone amp (HEOS or MusicCast)? Surely that would be sitting at very similar money to a 7.1 dual zone AVR?

every time i read the title i see

"demon"

Good luck with that. They need to realize that what they want doesn't coincide with what's possible. Explain the benefits of budgeting for the future and ending up with a system that works vs trying to get it all on a shoestring and ending up annoyed with it and you.

I find it funny that there is amazement this isn’t possible in 2019(!) yet using an AVR for multizone audio was all the rage in 2009, and that’s pushing it by 5 or so years IMO.

I agree with the last couple posts, stop using an AVR for anything other than a budget media room. AVR jack of all trades master of none and such.  If the proper solution isn’t in the budget then they surely aren’t going to be willing to pay your service call fees (for phone/text/email and on site) every time they have an issue with the system they talked you into.

Find an Airport Express. Set it up for Zone 2. Leave Z2 on all the time. Instant access to separate airplay for Z1 and Z2 for $100.

What blows my mind even more is is that AVR's don't have HDMI audio extraction for zone 2 built in on the lower end receivers (Yamaha Party Mode not withstanding)