I have a potential customer that has a 6 zone, 4 source system (russound CA6.4 not CA6.4i) installed years ago. Some of the zones are not working. The customer explained that a few years back he had a similar problem and the installed replaced the keypads of the affected zones and all worked again.

This system is discontinued and russound does not have any stock. A couple of Russound tech support guys helped me to see if the system can be controlled using a newer keypad, but it turns out this is too old of a system (built in '99).

The keypad wiring was done with 8 conductor not Cat 5. Speaker wire runs to the system control and not through the keypad boxes.

The last tech i spoke with gave me two options:
a. Leave the system as is and deal with the "dead zones"
b. replaced the system with a product from a vendor who uses 8 conductor for control

I've looked through many of the systems out there (Russound, xantech, nuvo, niles, M&S, etc), they also use Cat 5 for keypads.

The only solutions that I have found is the new Niles GRX system using the RF remote to control the zones. Of course, I don't think this is shipping yet.

Any other thoughts on updating / fixing the system.

Audio Access PX700 and seperate power amplifier would be a notch up in cost and in capabilities, but certainly would work with your wiring structure.

Xantech zpr 68 with seperate single gang keypads and a seperate amp also would work.

Those two immediately come to mind....

Could you explain a little better the 8 conductor used in the wall. Can you get a description off the jacket or take a picture. This might help to suggest some other possibilities. Are any of the pairs shielded?

I have repaired 2 of these systems. I send the CA6.4 to Russound to check out then after reinstallation I start troubleshooting. Most times I find a few wires pulled out of the keypads. Any remaing dead zones should just need keypads. CALCD keypads are still around. Email me if you need help. These things are a breeze to setup and repair. I always see cat5 run to the keypads. BTW the CA-LCDS are punchdown unlike the screw terminals on the ones you have. I also have manuals for all the stuff in PDF form if needed.

Doesn't B&O use 8 conductor?

lol

Norm

You bet it does. And then it uses another 15 conductors......

Thanks for the tips...
I'll swing by the customers house this week to do some more testing. I'll take a picture of the cable. I don't think it is shielded.

I'll report back.

You can use the MATRIX Audio system. This system uses 4 conductor speaker wire. Have installed 6 systems so far, with no complaints. On one job I was able to use only two wires for full control. Check it out.

yeah the matrix stuff should work....use a pair for keypad control then at head end parallel the speaker keypad cable...... it will work

If you need some keypads for the 6.4 system I have some laying around. Willing to trade cheaply.

CCA gave you great advice.

Be careful, there are 3 ver. of the CA 6.4 out there. Some allowed you to punch down wire and others wanted a small screw in connector.

I would replace it with another CA product or Matrix.

I have some older keypads also. E-mail me if I can help.

Mike

Upon futher testing, I've come to the conclusion that the receiver has more problems then the keypads. After talking to Mike at Russound, I packed it up and shipped it off to them.
Once I get the unit back, then I can figure out what problems the keypads have.

The keypads are definately the screw in type, I think rev 1. I did take some photos of the wiring, if anyone is still interested, I can upload them tomorrow.

Thanks again for the insight and support!

Depending on your "8-conductor" wire lengths, you might be able to get an Elan System 6 to work. Elan suggests Cat-5 but if wire runs are shorter (50-100 ft), it might work but you might call Elan to check first.

Hi. Hope this thread is still alive, and with apologies for hijacking it, I'm looking for some Russound CA-LCD keypads. I've got 2 x CA-6.4s already. Just bought a used CA-4.4 and am adding additional zones. (Who doesn't need 4 zone audio in the basement bathroom?). I can be contacted at [email protected].

I am looking for for 10 Russound CA-LCD keypads. Does anyone have any? Thanks!!