Speaker Switching Box Suggestions

Can`t be done without degradation. The box adds resistance along with the volume controls to keep the amp from seeing a load approaching a dead short. The resistors for ea. switch & volume controls shoot the damping factor in the ass. In short, you can`t have your cake & eat it too.

Dodgealum,

What electronics are you considering for the main 2-channel system? If you can build a system that has independant amplification for the main 2-channel room and seperate amplification for the other zones, it should eliminate the problems that Porziob mentioned.

I can think of 2 ways to do this:

One would be to use seperates (pre-amp/amps) for the electronics. If you used a pre-amp with 2 sets of outputs, one could be connected to an amp driving the main rig and one output could be connected to an amp driving the multi-room/zone amp.

Otherwise you could use an HT receiver that has a second zone amplifier or zone output built into it. The second zone could be connected to the multi-zone controller driving the other rooms.

I'm no expert on multi-room/whole-house audio, but I know you will need a centralized multi-room controller/zone amp and individual volume controllers in each of the room.

TIC

Thanks for the input. I'm looking at an Adcom 545II and a 565 preamp. Reubent, if I understand correctly I would need to verify that the 565 has two outputs and then get a separate 545 to run the three pairs of remote speakers (how can I independently control the volume on these?) and then the other 545 would drive the main system. Still need more help if anyone can assist.

Dodge,

You are probably correct (or partially correct). If the preamp has 2 outputs, send one to the amp driving the speakers in the main room. Send the other to either a seperate amp (as you suggested) or to a multi zone amp (as used by whole-house audio installers).

With the first scenario, you would use some kind of speaker switch box that would probably exhibit some sonic degredation. The whole house amp is designed to not have this problem.

I would check into some whole-house sound equipment and maybe talk to an installer before throwing any money at this project.

Enjoy,

TIC

Thanks, Reubent. Any suggestions for companies that make "whole house" amplifiers?

Dodgealum,

Russound, NuVo, Niles are some whole house audio companies. I'm no expert, so you might want to repost your message with a title like "Whole House Audio" or something similar. I know there are some dealers on this site that sell whole house stuff and they may respond if you phrase the question differently.

Enjoy,

TIC

Reubent. Russound has the answer. Thanks for the help--I love the A'gon!

You are most welcome!

TIC