I like some input on the next logical step that some of you more experienced guys might have some insight on larger multi-room amp'ing.

I need to find the next logical step in finding a multi zone controllable amplifier that you can command easily with RTi for more than 3 rooms of audio. My AVAD sales rep turned me on to the Marantz ZS5300 for 3 zones complete with discrete commands for all three zones. This works great for three, but my next logical step is to look for another solution for bigger jobs that are lets say 6-10 zones where discrete control is needed. I know that I can route my ir signals with an RP-6 for individual control and make 3-6 zones work with 2 ir ports, but I feel like there must be a better product for larger jobs without having to build Frankenstein if you know what I mean!

For now I have been routing my commands with ir and I assume this might push me into RS232 control?

Thanks for your comments.......

Are you doing single source to these zones? If you need a 6 zone 12 channel, you can use a Xantech PA1235 amp.

Sonance 4630 for 6 zone applications, it is super duper simple to control via RS232 and it sounds great also as it has a built in BBE sonic maximizer, the price is also fair [Link: sonance.com]


More than 6 zones? how much are you willing to spend? I do a lot of 8X8 and 16X16 installs Using knox switchers and audio control amplifiers. Here again this an RS232 solution and the codes are very easy to learn.
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Using RS 232 on your switcher leaves you with 5 ports to control your components and you dont have to deal with port addressing, you simply make all of your commands up as system macros that can be addressed by hand held and in-wall controllers.

Sorry, multi source! The Marantz unit is a three source system. This might be putting me into a matrix switcher like the Knox unit that is mentioned above. I'm looking for the next logical peice of hardware to move up to for multi-source prefferably (4-6 sources) multi zone (6-10 zones) and have complete control with discretes (or 232 control).

And to address another question posted, I assume there is about a 'ball park" market price for such a unit (3-5K that such a unit would fall into). Below a Crestron, but solid in it's design and value (i.e. a major brand name).

I had another contractor mention Auto-Patch, but I see that they where just aquired by AMX. Anyone know what might be entailed it getting that product line now?

The Marantz is nice because you can do 3+locals by 9 zones all with one IR. COnnect up several via teh RC5 plug and there are three code sets.

I like having the local source input. That way I can use it in rooms that just have a display. That way I can get the sound to come out of the Speakers or they can listen to the 3 Whole house sources.

Issue I don't like... only one of the 3 zones per unit has a preamp out. Designer keeps specing in volume dials.... UGGG.

B&K has flavors of 3 and 6 zones with the ability to add a matrix switcher. All the discretes one could imagine. When Crestron is not in the budget this is where we go...

Knox video is in the same price league as autopatch, however I think Knox has a broader selection of multizone video and audio switching solutions www.knoxvideo.com

I second the B&K recommendation. Lots of capability without going to the Crestron/AMX end of the spectrum.

I was checking out Knox after I looked at your website one day. Audio Contorl was another line was curious about

So you use those as a multi zone multi source system. Looks like a good product.

BTW I checked the address for Knox and I could walk there from my house. Are they direct or distro?

Hve you taken a look at speakercraft? They have the MZC66 (six inputs, six zones) and the MZC88 with two built in tuners. They both have digital amplification, the 66 has 30wpc and the 88 has 50 wpc. Both can be controlled with the RTI and works very well. www.speakercraft.com

We use the Sonance C4630 for a lot of our basic setups. When we go bigger and better, we use a Vaux Matrix switcher with Rotel amps. The Vaux piece has rock solid IR and 232.


RTI Installer, do you have the 232 protocol for the C4630 done up in Word or Excel? If you do, I'd love to get a copy of it. I've run into a few occasions where 232 would have solved a few problems, or at least made my life a little easier.

I'll throw in a third vote for B&K. According to the RTI rep I talked to yesterday, RTI and B&K work closely together. He said a lot of the stuff in the B&K booth at CEDIA was controled by RTI. And you can use the B&K keypads to spit IR triggers out to an RTI controller to operate other equipment. Plus, B&K will give you amazing audio quality. And they have a HD video matrix that links with the Multizone system to give you high def video in those zones.

And you can link them for more than 6 zones

Knox is Direct, I have looked at everything else out there and will take the Media flex over just about anything for the bigger projects, simply because it has both the audio and HD Componet video switcher in one box as an 8X8 16X8 or 16 X16 solution. The codes are dumb simple, and the units will drive about 200 feet of RG-6 at 1080i. You can switch both audio and video together or separately, comes with controllable mute, treble bass, volume, and trim on every chanel, has jump to varible volume settings as well. has multiple trigger contact closures, can be pre-programed to perform salvo functions based on a contact closure with a built in undo timer, also has ethernet option. comes as a standard 4 space rack mount, also has optional 8 port VGA switching on the same box.

Why do you need a spread sheet? just use the one that comes with the unit instructions. Dont forget to use a null modem with this model :)