I am looking for less expensive alternatives to buying expensive multi zone amps and adui/video distribution panels. The Xantech stuff I have used before runs around $2500 for 6 zone, 8 source system.

For a simple 3 zone, say 3 source system, are there less expensive alternatives? I know you can get some dual zone receivers cheap (like from Denon), but then you need to distribute the audio form the sources. I am curious what people are doing for "budget" systems.

P.S. I am using PCs for mp3s and control issues, so I don't need any kind of fancy controllers. Just audio distribution and amps.

I have found Russound A-bus a low cost distribution system with low service issues. Jamo makes the same type of distribution stuff, but they also offer a video distribution hub.
Hope this helps.

Russound makes the 4Zone/4Source A-Bus system. Comes complete with 4 keypads and IR's. Just add speakers. Base system retails for under $1500.00. Just remember, these are HIGH power systems @ 7 Watts. LOL

Look at the Nuvo systems, www.nuvotechnologies.com or the Kustom (now nuvo)

they have a couple of decent systems for a decent price

The Nuvo includes KP's and emitters, connecting plates and such

They have a package that includes speskers as well

Marantz SR5300 peice works well with discrete codes and global on/off.

audio design associates (ada)has a suite 8 whole housze controller 8 sources to 8 zones....might be to pricy

ed

For three zones with no special keypads or anything I would go with recievers. That's what I have at home three recievers with a line level distrubution amp feeding into them. Just pick three low end receivers and youll be cheaper than any DA system. As far as the PC for music, thats also what I use (not that I would do it for a customer). You can use a multi channel sound card and feed different MP3s to each zone.

What Watt rating would you suggest?

If power is something you REALLY need for one, or more, of the zones, with Abus you can run the output to a nice big amp and pump it up.

I've done this for a very, very large patio before where I had several pairs of speakers situated around the yard.

Typical background listening level, that little 7 or so watts will be more than ample.

In my house I used the Speakercraft volume controls with IR receivers built in and ran all the wiring back to a closet. I have two Onkyo receivers, one for the main system and the second one to run everything else. I use the multi out to a 2 channel amplifer which feeds into a speaker selector to keep everything at 4 ohms. My DirecTV Tivo's are networked ready so I pull all my MP3's off the computer through a wireless network. The whole system works well. With some of the higher end receivers you can even route video to a second and sometimes a third zone.

Yamaha makes the RX-V1500/1600 and 2500/2600 ($800-$1300). Each are 3 zone receivers with discreets for all functions. If you are doing 5.1 in the main room, each RX-V receivers above have a 120+w/ch amp to distribute Z2. Z3 needs a basic 2 channel amp. They also handle less than a 4ohm load quite nicely. You will want to spec in a fan.

Depending on the size/configuration of the home, MX-850's will do triple zones just fine w/rf up to about 100' (even further w/the MRF-300 basestation). With all the HT in the greatroom type homes out here in Phoenix metro this system is quite simple, cool, powerful and practical.

Niles came out with this, and I've never come up with a use for it, but it seems like you could base a cheap multi room/zone system around it. Might be pretty cool.

[Link: nilesaudio.com]

I've been using Apple iTunes which integrates with an Airport Express at each zone. This sends the audio over 802.11g WiFi with lossless compression. The Airport Express ($129) has both analog and digital output to hook up to any amp and is controlled through the free iTunes jukebox software (works on both Macs and PC's).

An advantage is that any laptop with iTunes and WiFi can also be set up to wirelessly control the music library residing on your PC. Very cool.

see [Link: apple.com]

I don't see a 5300 on the web site. Euro model maybe?

I'm curious because I've heard absolutely nothing good about 2nd zone control of Marantz receivers. "pathetic for a company like Marantz" has been said a few times.

GraphiteFive gives you the flexibility to scale sources and zones on an individual basis, which might help control costs. They also recently reduced prices making them pretty affordable. 70 Watts of power, installable on A-bus pre-wires - might fit your need pretty well.

www.graphitefive.com

Norton