Suggest a cheap whole house audio amp w/ separate zones and input from rooms

[ahreno]

I'm looking for an affordable whole house audio amp (for approx 5-6 zones) that allows me to play different audio in each zone. I also want to be able to have an input in each room that allows me to play that through the speakers.

Each room will have a HTPC or xbox hidden in a cabinet or centrally located cabinet along with the obvious LCD panel so it can be visually controlled with a remote control. By the inwall volume control I would like to have an input for the room (so someone could plug in a mp3 player/laptop) and play the audio from that through the in ceiling speakers. The wall plate would probably need some sort of way to switch between the external input and the HTPC.

Does something like this exist?

 

[ahreno]

In doing some more searching I came across this:

Impact Acoustics Four-Input Amplified Volume Control with IR

Which is pretty much exactly what I want... however it looks like it's tied to their 4/8 channel distribution systems... Besides having this feature it seems that this setup is very very entry level and might leave me desiring a lot more.

The only issues with this solutions seems that it would allow the kitchen to select the bathroom as a source... which isn't really ideal.... and if I have to have each room selectable by any other room it has to be at least 5 sources. (3 bedrooms / bathroom / kitchen). I do really like the idea that this solution seems to have a built in IR repeater and volume knob. I'm not too stoked on the fact that it seems to provide the power though... 10w per channel seems weak.

 

[AutomatedOutlet]

Your first link it for a volume control. The second is for a connection block. The main thing you need is an amp...

You said affordable, how much are you looking to spend>

 

[ahreno]

I dont really know the price range for anything i'm looking for. I guess it all depends on what it includes. Can I accomplish this for under a grand? I know that I can hack something together for less than that. (cheap PIII computer / $100 stereo amp / inwall volume control) but I'd rather not hack this together since i have the walls open.

 

[ahreno]

Your first link it for a volume control. The second is for a connection block. The main thing you need is an amp...

You said affordable, how much are you looking to spend>

If I'm looking at my links correctly (which i may not be)... it sounds like the connection block sends the signals to the volume control which then provides the amplification for the speakers... I might be wrong though...

 

[Neurorad]

If I'm looking at my links correctly (which i may not be)... it sounds like the connection block sends the signals to the volume control which then provides the amplification for the speakers... I might be wrong though...

You are correct.

Do what you can cheaply now, but run cable for the 'upgraded' system now while the walls are open.

That Impact Acoustics system, it appears, uses a single UTP cable to carry the line-level signal to the amplifier/volume control. IR control is carried over the same cable (if you choose the volume control with the IR receiver). I found a copy of the installation instructions on the cablestogo.com site:

37024-37027 Multi-Source Audio Distribution Module; Amplified Volume Control
http://server.iad.liveperson.net/hc/s-2188...amp;action=view

Most 'upgraded' systems would have the amplification at the source location, so in the future you would use standard speaker wired run from the switch/distribution module, through the volume control, and out to the speakers. The UTP cable would be necessary for the future VC/keypad to allow communication between the VC/keypad and the source devices.

Many manufacturers offer this type of ABUS audio distribution system, with the amplification at the VC/keypad.

http://www.a-bus.com/about/whatisABUS.html

Amplifcation at the keypad has it's downsides, but most listeners wouldn't know the difference, particularly with the quality of distributed audio through standard in-wall and in-ceiling speakers, at low background listening volumes.

I state 'upgraded' in quotes, because that ABUS system is perfect for many people.

Just run the cables now for your future 'dream system', if you want to use the ABUS first and plan on changing it in the future.

 

[aard3]

Ok,

Shameless plug here, but I'm going to suggest you look at the HAI Hi-Fi. It can support up to ...

8 Zones
6 Different sources
You can have an input in each room, you just run a CAT 5 drop and connect an HAI "Remote Input Module"
You can have a volume control/source selector called a "Volume Source Control" in each room also.

Really sounds a lot like what your looking for, and I think it would meet your budget.

 

[PaulD]

Ok,

Shameless plug here, but I'm going to suggest you look at the HAI Hi-Fi. It can support up to ...

8 Zones
6 Different sources
You can have an input in each room, you just run a CAT 5 drop and connect an HAI "Remote Input Module"
You can have a volume control/source selector called a "Volume Source Control" in each room also.

Really sounds a lot like what your looking for, and I think it would meet your budget.

The HAI HiFi is the solution I am installing in my new house. He forgot to mention that the system includes IR capability which allows you to use IR to control the sources from anywhere you have a Volume Source Controlled installed. To help you on the budget side, Automated Outlet has some of the best pricing around plus they are generous with technical help over the telephone.

 

[ahreno]

I'm actually working with Automate Outlet already.

The HAI HIFI looks like a decent solution however from what I can tell is that the ONLY inputs are from the wall mounted plates? That means if I want a constant source available in a room (HTPC) that there would always be something plugged into the wall plate. Which would not be a very clean solution if the HTPC was hidden in a cabinet or up in the media closet.

I think the better solution for me is to have a HTPC in each room I want video in and run the AUX input from the computer to a wall plate and then use the Nuvo Essentia (~$1600) for amp and control... IT's way more than i hoped to spend just for home audio but it is what it is.

 

[Neurorad]

You went from cheapest to relatively expensive, DIY to CI.

That design and install, of the Nuvo, looks like a real 'challenge', if you're pressed for time and you want to DIY it.

You're limited to 6 sources with the NuVo Essentia, including FM tuner. The source equipment will be an additional cost. To play music from the local PC it seems you'll need to buy the M3 music server (MSRP $2200, plus the NV-USBW wireless syncing device if you want wireless). Plus, you need to purchase keypads. I don't know if your quoted price of $1600 includes the AllPort/EZPort keypad and speaker hub.

Check out the NuVo Essentia install manual if you want to DIY, before buying:

http://www.smarthome.com/manuals/8271gms.pdf

It's do-able as a DIY, but it will take time and patience. Good luck, and thanks for the prodding to research the Essentia. I'm also looking for a distributed audio system - I've been leaning toward something from Russound for the past couple weeks.

Edit - I don't own the Essentia, so please do the research. Maybe there is a way to play music from the PC's without the music server.

Edit#2 - MusicPort - thanks, MavRic. You don't need the server to play local music from a PC. Just saw MavRic's thread.

Link to Music Port instruction manual:

http://www.nuvotechnologies.com/prozone/pd...00835%20web.pdf

 

[ahreno]

You went from cheapest to relatively expensive, DIY to CI.

That design and install, of the Nuvo, looks like a real 'challenge', if you're pressed for time and you want to DIY it.

You're limited to 6 sources with the NuVo Essentia, including FM tuner. The source equipment will be an additional cost. To play music from the local PC it seems you'll need to buy the M3 music server (MSRP $2200, plus the NV-USBW wireless syncing device if you want wireless). Plus, you need to purchase keypads. I don't know if your quoted price of $1600 includes the AllPort/EZPort keypad and speaker hub.

Check out the NuVo Essentia install manual if you want to DIY, before buying:

http://www.smarthome.com/manuals/8271gms.pdf

It's do-able as a DIY, but it will take time and patience. Good luck, and thanks for the prodding to research the Essentia. I'm also looking for a distributed audio system - I've been leaning toward something from Russound for the past couple weeks.

Edit - I don't own the Essentia, so please do the research. Maybe there is a way to play music from the PC's without the music server.

Edit#2 - MusicPort - thanks, MavRic. You don't need the server to play local music from a PC. Just saw MavRic's thread.

Link to Music Port instruction manual:

http://www.nuvotechnologies.com/prozone/pd...00835%20web.pdf

Neuro- you bring up some very valid points. I agree I went from do it yourself to a premade system. However Even with do it yourself there are some costs that have to be figured in.

1. inwall volume controls - Even the cheapest knob style ones are going to run me $25 or so. For 6 of them thats $150.
2. monitors. since the volume control can't do any control of the playback I would need a way to do that... which would mean in each room i'd have to be able to see everything. Since i only need video in 2/6 of the rooms I'd have to install 4 extra monitors. Even el-cheapos will run me $100 and thats not including cabling and install items. Another $400 extra.
3. Control - the nuvo has a built in IR repeater and I'm pretty sure i can get it to control the pc(s) in the media closet. Even if it means having to use a remote control in each room if the touch pad won't talk to the computer. I haven't really researched a cheap way to do this but a quick search tells me a multi room IR repeater is around $200-250 before shipping.
4. Amps - if i wanted to do DIY i'd still need an amplifier. (With my limited knowledge) Even used cheap receivers from goodwill would run me a minimum of $50-100 each... 6 of those adds on another $300.

So (in my mind) even if i wanted to completely do it myself I'd still run into some pretty significant costs. That part list right there is around $1100 and some of those prices might be a bit low.

There may very well be a cheaper way to do it ... but I'm far from completely knowledgeable about all the various solutions out there.

And I agree 100% that it's a bummer to be limited to only 6 sources. I can't find a way around that. I don't forsee any need for more than 6 though. I never listen to FM and with a HTPC being the source for each room if I really really wanted to I could just put an FM tuner in a PC.

 

[snickster]

THis is the company that I have been looking at for whole house audio.

http://www.htd.com/

A friend has one of their systems and an Elk M1G setup.
It seemed to provide what was needed , sounded good , and didn't cost a fortune either.

 

[ahreno]

THis is the company that I have been looking at for whole house audio.

http://www.htd.com/

A friend has one of their systems and an Elk M1G setup.
It seemed to provide what was needed , sounded good , and didn't cost a fortune either.

that looks really interesting. does it work with the elk m1g or does it just run separate from it?

Do you know if each zone's local input counts against the total number of sources? Meaning- If i have 6 zones does that use 6 of the sources if each room has an ipod plugged in?

Edit: it looks like it does eat up a source input... which i guess is to be expected. I like the fact that it has 2 additional inputs though and I do like the fact that it has a built in pager... now if only that pager could be directed at a specific zone... that would be cool!

 

[electron]

Looks like a nice system, how does he have it talking to the Elk M1? Did Elk add support for this unit?

 

[Neurorad]

THis is the company that I have been looking at for whole house audio.

http://www.htd.com/

A friend has one of their systems and an Elk M1G setup.
It seemed to provide what was needed , sounded good , and didn't cost a fortune either.

Thanks for sharing the tip. I'll research it.