Russound A-BUS

[english_1969]

A Russound CAV abus question:

Is there a way to run more than 1 abus keypad off the same a-bus port from the CAV? Is there a device to "split" the port?

Example, I am planning on having Zone 1 be the kitchen and the dining room a subzone. Due to the proximity, I'd like to also run the Family room as a subzone of the kitchen. Is this possible?

Is it possible to setup the CAV abus keypads to cycle through sources (A-KP2).

Thanks,
WE

 

[pkoslow]

WE,

You can use an A-bus hub to connect multiple A-Bus subzones to a single subzone on the CAV6.6.

The A-H2 hub is 2-port and should fit your needs (A-H4 would allow up to 4 subzones). You'll also need an additional A-PS power supply to power the keypads connected to the hub... you might want to look at the A-BK201 kit that includes the hub, power supply & two A-KP2 keypads plus IR emitters and remote.

There is a switch on the A-KP2 keypad that you need to set to "multi-source" before installation and this will allow you to toggle between the first 4 sources connected to the CAV. You toggle the sources by pressing the power button (press and hold turns it off). Selecting sources 5 & 6 or the 7th front panel input have to be done from the main zone on teh UNO keypad.

Cheers,
Paul

 

[english_1969]

Paul,

Thanks for the information. Using the abus features on the cav has allowed me to shave off 6 zones that I thought I needed.

In getting the ABUS multisource to work (I have everything setup in a test room) do i need to unplug the keypad, flip the switch and then plug it back in?

I think I just flipped the switch while is was connected to the cav, but shutoff.

Anyway, the multisource on the keypad seemed to be working, but is didn't change the source on the cav.

Thoughts?

WE

 

[pkoslow]

I think the A-Bus keypad needs to be powered down.

Try shutting down the CAV6.6, unplugging the A-Bus power supply and then see if it works... if not, double check all your punch downs and terminations.

Really weird stuff can happen on these systems if your terminations aren't good!

Cheers,
Paul

 

[Mike]

I'd be curious to hear feedback on the a-bus implementations in general.

 

[pkoslow]

Mike,

If you have some specific questions or concerns I can propably answer... have installed lots of A-Bus for clients and have some in my own home as well.

Paul

 

[Mike]

My question was more about your general impression. Since you have installed a lot of them I am guessing it was a good one.

I put in a Harman Kardon years back which is nice, but not as flexible or extensible as I would like. I have considered augmenting or replacing with A-Bus at times and was just curious on opinions of it.

It is not something I am ready to do right now, so I do not have a lot of specific questions but A-Bus did look like it might be a nice solution.

 

[english_1969]

Paul,

Got it working. Sure enough, I didn't fully power it down.

BTW, using ABUS and some creative splitting and imedence matching switches, I am going to use 1 CAV6.6 to cover first floor (Family, Kitchen/Breakfast, Living, Dining, Porch/Deck and Garage) and Basement (Common area, Patio, Exercise, My office, Wife's office). I am then going to have another CAV6.6 dedicated to 2nd floor bedrooms.

Thanks!

 

[pkoslow]

My question was more about your general impression. Since you have installed a lot of them I am guessing it was a good one.

I put in a Harman Kardon years back which is nice, but not as flexible or extensible as I would like. I have considered augmenting or replacing with A-Bus at times and was just curious on opinions of it.

It is not something I am ready to do right now, so I do not have a lot of specific questions but A-Bus did look like it might be a nice solution.

Mike,

I do like A-Bus... one of my biggest gripes about it is the lack of bass/trebble control and the fact that they always come on at a low volume. Russound is coming out with a new more advanced flavor of A-Bus that solves these problems and also includes better digital amps, global page, all on/off, party mode etc.

Should start shipping this Summer... more info here (Post #10):
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=769435

Cheers,
Paul

 

[pkoslow]

Paul,

Got it working.

EXCELLENT!

 

[opie]

Here is a link to some info on the new Russound A-Bus stuff.