What are you guys using for your low end(or should I say cost effective) distributed audio systems. We had been using Russound a-bus as our low cost alternative but have lately been looking at Nuvo and also Russound CAA and CAS systems. It would be great to put nice controllers in everywhere but we all know that some customers don't wanna fork over that kind of cash.

I've recently installed some of Russound's new CAA66 systems. There's really nothing else out there I know of with all its features for the same price. The only thing missing is macro capabilities but I guess you can't really expect that for the price range. Some of the features include: expandable keypads with numeric and transport control, 6 inputs with IR routing, programming on the main unit instead of at the keypad, built in IR library, RS232 control using RNET protocol, 40 watts per zone, zone expandable, attractive keypads, updatable firmware. Wish it had input trim adjustments too but doesn't.

We recently started with the Nuvo Concerto as our entry line. Its a decent system for 3k retail its a 6 source 8 zone(comes with 6 zones amplified and 6 KP's) has FB if you use their tuner for dual am/fm/wb, or 1 side am/fm/wb and other side xm, or dual xm. computer setup of concerto..takes like 20 min and computer seyup of tuner takes another 20 min as you can label everstation even if its not a preset. the Tuner has a single coax for all antennas..up in the attic you break it out for XM - AM/FM/WB.
AM/FM/WB is all in 1 antenna even for dual tuners, just add their diplexer to add XM to same coax

the KP is a 2 gang and comes with 4 faceplates..white, almond, ivory and black
it has a numeric KP as well as transport controls

works for us for now

Without knowing much about Nuvo, how would you compare it to SpeakerCraft's MZC66?

I'm gonna check out Nuvo now. Of course, XM will be out of the question!

We looked at speakercraft but decided it didnt have enough control without adding more gangs to the KP..2-3 gang for full control.

and at the tim we looked at it it had a 4-6 week backorder

so we went with B&K but had issues there as well...had a few DOA

We have used a few of the Speakercraft MZC's, you do have to use more than the single keypad to have any real control. I have also had good luck wiht B & K's Ct series.

Anybody use the Matrix Audio stuff?

Yes... Matrix is great for retro job.... as a last resort.

Done a few of the Nexus audio...similar to the matrix, was a great retro system, although it was limited in a few ways.. no IR passthrough from KP's but had good feedback on the KP's we used just the 1 gang ones, programming was fast and easy.

www.nexusaudiosystems.com

Our basic system is the Xantech MRC44 or 88 but without the keypads most of the time. Usually we use Marantz remotes with RF recievers in the ceilings of the respective rooms. This works beautifully once properly set up and programmed and you can supply as few or as many remotes as the customer wants. Most of the time it's only one or two. Of course as good as keypads are, they are still no where near as functional as a Marantz remote and the client doesn't have to get out of his chair or aim the remote at a target for that matter.

Simon.

That's a really good idea; I have only just started to come round to that way of thinking. Only now I have got used to a (Opus) system at home, I do like being able to just press a button next to the light switch for the radio.

Just as easy to sit a remote next to the bed, and a lot easier to read.

On the subject of Opus, Never ever EVER do a system using opus with an Imerge and crestron control. I have installed more Opus systems that anyone in Australia and we would be very lucky if we made any money on any of them. As a basic system of keypads and CD player it's fine. Try and do something fancy (using all the proper stuff from Opus) and you will pay heavily with problems and service calls. We have dropped the product entirely now, unfortunately we cabled too many houses for it before we discovered the issues. Every time we thought we had the product right it came back to screw us time and time again. 80 hrs of fault finding on one of the jobs. All issues turned out to be Opus product, software and literature related.Never again. Sorry to rant.

Simon.