A little help from the audiophile guys, please

[martyo]

I am doing some more work in my house. Last weekend I installed two pairs of speakers in the ceilings of each of my living room and dining room and one pair of speakers in the ceiling of my kitchen.

I am now looking at amplifier/receiver alternatives. I do not need a multi-source setup. I will be content to have the same source playing in each room. I plan on using something like the Niles multi-room speaker volume controls so that I can individually adjust the volume in each room.

Any thoughts on amplifiers/receivers? I do not need or want video in these rooms so I am believe what I am really looking for is a two channel stereo set up.

Oh yeah, I also wired each room for an IR repeater so that I can work the master volume and main controls from each room. I will likely use a Niles IR hub for my IR distribution. I love those set ups!

Thanks for checking in.

[merc]

Looking for high-end 2-channel then check out this link and download the product PDF file.

http://www.crownaudio.com/

[woaface]

I will get back to you in the morning. If there's one thing I know about more than cars it's women. And if there's one thing I know more about then women it's reciever's and amps! Pre Pro is the way to go!

[martyo]

Looking for high-end 2-channel then check out this link and download the product PDF file.

http://www.crownaudio.com/


Mark: Thanks for the quick reply. I am not looking to go over the top in terms of quality. The idea here is to have decent sounding background music when I have company over or as I mosey around the house. My main listening room is where my TV is and I have a good enough set up there now (although I recently re-wired for a 6.1 set up and will eventually upgrade to equipment that can take advantage of that set up). What I would like to consider for these three rooms is a simple, single amp/receiver combo unit and a separate CD carousel or juke box. As best as I can tell, something in the 100 watt range should do the trick. Any thoughts in this category?

So James, as for your idea of a pre/pro set up, that is good for my TV room, but not what I am looking at for these other rooms.

[merc]

This is a standard low-end amp without pre-amp. You could find a used intergated amp with that power rating used in 2 channel form factor. If you don't need a tuner. Onkyo makes a wide range of mid-fi electronices.

http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=M-282&class=Amplifier&p=i :santa:

[hitchhiker]

I will get back to you in the morning. If there's one thing I know about more than cars it's women. And if there's one thing I know more about then women it's reciever's and amps! Pre Pro is the way to go!

I just about fell out of my chair laughing at this!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[hitchhiker]

Mark: Thanks for the quick reply. I am not looking to go over the top in terms of quality. The idea here is to have decent sounding background music when I have company over or as I mosey around the house. My main listening room is where my TV is and I have a good enough set up there now (although I recently re-wired for a 6.1 set up and will eventually upgrade to equipment that can take advantage of that set up). What I would like to consider for these three rooms is a simple, single amp/receiver combo unit and a separate CD carousel or juke box. As best as I can tell, something in the 100 watt range should do the trick. Any thoughts in this category?

So James, as for your idea of a pre/pro set up, that is good for my TV room, but not what I am looking at for these other rooms.
Marty,

You will be way ahead of the game if you wire the house for cat 5/6 connectivity. You can then have it all and then some as your needs grow.

Use the XP Multimedia OP/SYS and network as many sources and outputs as you need, all served by your home network or buss.

There is plenty of good reference material on this if needed.

I think that putting significant money into hardwiring any single use or function is a very limited way to go in light of available technology.

The total 'home buss' is the way to go for all functions - Data Server, Power/Generator Control, Multimedia, Communications, Internet, Home Security, Management, and more.

Someday, when I build a custom home it will be totally wired.

Regards,

David

[Black Terror]

Marty,
Sony STR-DE185 or STR-DE197 would fill your requirements very adequately. You can find on Internet or most stores who handle Sony products.

[martyo]

Marty,

You will be way ahead of the game if you wire the house for cat 5/6 connectivity. You can then have it all and then some as your needs grow.

I think that putting significant money into hardwiring any single use or function is a very limited way to go in light of available technology.

The total 'home buss' is the way to go for all functions - Data Server, Power/Generator Control, Multimedia, Communications, Internet, Home Security, Management, and more.



I agree David, but my mistake was doing my remodel/renovation in phases and not thinking about all of thsi stuff first. At this point I am stuck/staying with Audio only on my first floor (where I am putting the gear I am asking questions about), as the wiring is done already.



Someday, when I build a custom home it will be totally wired.


I am right there with ya! That's why I keep playing the lottery!

[sailsmen]

Rotel or Outlaw. Both have reputations for excellent quality, robust and good value.

Outlaw is relatively new, internet sales only. Rotel has been around for years.

[Bluerauder]

If there's one thing I know about more than cars it's women.
Who are you kidding?? Nobody knows about women. :rofl:

The Bose Lifestyle 28 or 35 system offers a multi-channel, multi-room capability and produces excellent sound. In the $2K range, though.

[Agent M79]

Looking for multi-room audio on a budget? Do what I do...

http://www.transistor.org/collection/invicta/invicta9transistor.jpg

[Paul T. Casey]

Not too sure this will work for you, but it fills the entire 700 sq. ft. of Caseyland. 1962 Zenith, still works great.

[Paul T. Casey]

Usually listen to this, which Mrs. Casey stole out of the back seat of Todd's car last time we were in Atlanta. I think that's him on the cover.

[woaface]

Alright Marty, you're looking for some good recievers and amps? I'd suggest pre/pro units where the amp and reciever are seperate. All of the companies I've listed are great, but as with anything you do hometheater, you're MUCH better off if you can listen to it or see it (video) first. Charts and graphs can make an item look great, but it's up to your ears which hear different frequencies differently than anyone else.

Check out the following companies:

Pre/Pro:
Lexicon http://www.lexicon.com (http://www.lexicon.com/)
Krell www.krellonline.com (http://www.krellonline.com/)
B&K www.bkcomp.com (http://www.bkcomp.com/)
Rotel http://www.rotel.com/
Earthquake(powerhouse is an understatement, I've heard these things are LOUD) www.earthquakeaudio.com (http://www.earthquakeaudio.com/)
Outlaw Audio www.outlawaudio.com (http://www.outlawaudio.com/)

Recievers (One Piece):
Denon http://www.usa.denon.com/
Harmon Kardon http://www.harmankardon.com/
Sunfire http://www.sunfire.com/ (This company makes some CRAZY subs, too)
Onkyo www.onkyousa.com (http://www.onkyousa.com/)

[rookie1]

Harmon kardon, onkyo, yamaha, are all good mid fi choices and should be ABSOLUTELY FINE for ceiling speakers and background music. 100 watts per channel is probably larger than you need also but watts are cheap these days. With the ir repeaters you really don't need the fancy Niles set up unless you want the volume to be different in the 2 rooms for some reason. A simple speaker selector would do the trick and some receivers may have them built in.

just my .02

[Krytin]

Marty,
Sony STR-DE185 or STR-DE197 would fill your requirements very adequately. You can find on Internet or most stores who handle Sony products.

I agree - been using Sony audio for 20 years now and have been very happy with sound/price/reliability!

[DEFYANT]

I run Sony componants w/ Boston Acoustics speakers. I'm very happy with this set up.

[TechHeavy]

Hey Marty, why limit yourself to 2 channels when multichannel receivers are now so affordable? You may want to consider a receiver that will allow you room to grow in the future, (even if you don't need it right now). Remember, multichannel home theatre receivers handle the basic 2-channel duties of a basic stereo system just as well, (if not better) than a slightly cheaper 2-channel receiver, and can do so much more as well.
I use a Sony STR-995 home theatre receiver over the entire house. Seven discrete channels baby! This receiver supports 7.1 Dolby Digital EX, DTS, all the latest technology, (it's actually a little ahead of it's time since most movies are still in only 5.1 Dolby).
Here's a link for a Sony STR-997 model receiver, (a little newer than mine): http://www.abcwarehouse.com/product_catalog/pc_proddetails.asp?prod%5Fid=2 5334&active%5Ftab=Online+Store&mscsid=MD1TQ0S316JT8LU0JPTP0JD C0JS87PS7

[martyo]

Hey Marty, why limit yourself to 2 channels when multichannel receivers are now so affordable? You may want to consider a receiver that will allow you room to grow in the future, (even if you don't need it right now). Remember, multichannel home theatre receivers handle the basic 2-channel duties of a basic stereo system just as well, (if not better) than a slightly cheaper 2-channel receiver, and can do so much more as well.

I know future upgrade-ability is good but the lower levels of my house will never have video, so two channel is adequate, yes?

Can I use a surround sound receiver and only use the front channels? If so, I may bring my older receiver out of my TV room for this purpose and get a newer receiver for there where it will get much more use.

[TechHeavy]

I know future upgrade-ability is good but the lower levels of my house will never have video, so two channel is adequate, yes?

Can I use a surround sound receiver and only use the front channels? If so, I may bring my older receiver out of my TV room for this purpose and get a newer receiver for there where it will get much more use.
Absolutely! Are you talking about the 6.1 receiver you mentioned for use with your TV? Yep, the receiver will only, (and can only) play the channels that it detects have speakers... or in other words, you would use the "CD" or "Tape" or "Auxillary", (whatever mode your receiver has that is 2-channel... you could use any of them) for a 2-channel source. That's an excellent solution, (IMO) 'cause then you can get a 7.1 receiver for your entertainment, (video) system... maybe even one with Ethernet networking capability so you can stream audio from your computer all over your home.... (VERY COOL! Can you say, "Disco radio from LA from your home in New York... if that's your thing!). This is definitely what I would do if upgrading with a 6.1 receiver in need of a back-up 2-channel system elsewhere.

[martyo]

This is definitely what I would do if upgrading with a 6.1 receiver in need of a back-up 2-channel system elsewhere.

Maybe I will try that then before I buy anything else. Then I can freshen up the gear in my TV oom. I will likely stick with 6,1 given the way the TV room is wired and sized.

[TechHeavy]

Maybe I will try that then before I buy anything else. Then I can freshen up the gear in my TV oom. I will likely stick with 6,1 given the way the TV room is wired and sized.Smart move, I think. But you should think about a 7.1 for your TV/Entertainment area. The reason is that you are already set up for 6.1, (which means you have 1 rear speaker in the very back of the viewing area). With 7.1, (when it becomes more widely used in '05) will split that rear signal in half and send to 2 rear speakers. Then you get left and right rear instead of just rear...

I know this is getting a little off topic, but a 7.1 receiver is only a very little more than a 6.1, (and you'll be ready for the "rear-split" if you will...). :) You'll just have to add one more speaker to the back and move them to left and right rear.

Just some stuff to think about.... but yes, your current receiver will MORE than handle the job you posted originally.

BTW, your idea with the Niles multi-room speaker volume control is good.

Keep us posted ok? :)

[BruteForce]

..will split that rear signal in half...

Actually that L/R rear (center) signals in 7.1 are identical mono signals. The purpose isn't to get a "left & right rear center" but rather to "fill in" the sound stage (aka the pan) across the back. There is no 7.1 software (there are some 6.1 DTS EX titles, Gladiator for one) so any hardware that can output 4 rear channels is creating that center rear mono signal (x2 in 7.1) by matrixing the L/R surround signals.

Unless you have a large area that you're trying to fill with rear surround signal, AND assuming your rear center speaker is a good'n, 6.1 will do fine for some time to come.

This coming from a person who is running 200W per channel 7.1 in a space 20 feet across in the rear. Way overkill. :D

[TechHeavy]

Actually that L/R rear (center) signals in 7.1 are identical mono signals. The purpose isn't to get a "left & right rear center" but rather to "fill in" the sound stage (aka the pan) across the back. There is no 7.1 software (there are some 6.1 DTS EX titles, Gladiator for one) so any hardware that can output 4 rear channels is creating that center rear mono signal (x2 in 7.1) by matrixing the L/R surround signals.
Yes, the L/R rear signals are identical mono signals right now. If you'll look at my above post I mentioned that the signal WILL be split in the near future... (hopefully in '05... latest rumored). The problem is, (although the technology is there) there isn't enough support for it right now with consumers. I mean, most home theater enthusiasts are not even at 6.1 yet. But they will be, and 7.1 will come to with true discrete signals to all 7 channels.