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New Home Owner - looking for advice

I bought a new construction home and it came wired for speakers in 7 locations and with in-ceiling speakers installed already in 3 locations. All cabling runs to a rack in the basement.

As is typical, the builder referred a company that wants an insane amount of $ to set it all up.

Though I’m no expert, want to take a stab at trying to get it going as a DIY solution. I’m toying at the idea of getting multiple Wiim Amps to connect one to each zone, but honestly looking for any and all ideas on how to make use of the system and existing wiring.

Preferences would include ability to play different music in different zones, and ideally a way to use Airplay (though that can be incorporated with a separate add-on device too).

Thanks in advance.

 

mnhomeowner
mashif
471 posts
 

The companies that sell multi room audio systems probably have a wealth of information on YouTube or their website, showing how to do various setups. Best of luck in your new house. 

motown-l
345 posts
 

There are also a lot of used Parasound Z amps and preamps around if streaming isn't a requirement in all zones.

rocray's avatar
rocray
1,541 posts
 

More advice,if you’re financially able,send the bank some extra cash every month to pay off the principal. Enjoy the new home,and the music! 

paradisecom
503 posts
 

Do you want the ability to play the same source, such as Tidal or the audio from a football game on TV (or another source such as a turntable, CD player, etc.), to all the zones/ rooms? 

Do you want the ability to adjust the master volume as well as trim individual volumes in different zones while playing the same source, as above? 

Do you want the ability to pick and choose which zones/ rooms are selected to play different audio is smaller groups?

The easiest way to skin this cat is Sonos.  It's the best solution that's made for this situation where it's not some cobbled-together mess that's a pain to use by everyone in the home.

There's more to this than just throwing some monoprice speakers in the ceilings and some amazon amps in a closet.

dynacohum
835 posts
 

WiiM is good but does not have Airplay.  The systems that offer Airplay include Sonos, Bluesound, HeOS, and MusicCast.  WiiM is significantly less costly to implement.  So ask yourself how important is Airplay?  

I would advise you to consider a multichannel power amplifier…there are many on the used or new market from Niles, Russound, OSD, often with 12 channels, that are configurable, bridgeable, with either class AB or D topology, and get as many WiiM Pro or Pro Plus as you require zones…and patch away.

The main argument for HeOS and MusicCast is if you want to integrate a TV/Surround system into the mix of zones.  Those systems are built into AVRs from Denon/Marantz or Yamaha respectively, and both have solutions to expand into other zones within the platform. Bluesound does the same with NAD.  Of these, I like HeOS best for ease of use, and Bluesound for ultimate best SQ, but MusicCast is by no means far behind.  
Another path is to use Sonos Ports and a “Works With Sonos” AVR…like Sony, Onkyo, or Pioneer.
All of these require a well designed, stable WiFi network as a prerequisite.

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