Zone 2 problem

[jdbaker]

I have brought this up previously and Chris helped me but I am still not pleased with the results. After upgrading from my Intergra DTR 8.2 receiver to the C2/A51 combo. my zone 2 speakers are not sounding as clear and excellent as with the Interga. The c2 zone 2 output is connected to a Integra zone 2 100wpch 2 channel amp and the speaker outputs are connected to a Sonance speaker selector box which outputs to 4 sets of zone 2 speakers, each set is controled by a Niles volume control dial in the individual rooms. With the Integra the zone 2 output was perfect and I had plenty of volume control on the dials and the sound was outstanding. With the C2 I have to change the zone 2 output from the default of -20db to at least 0db or more to get decent volume control at the dials and the sound from the speakers is not clear and can be distorted at times. My idea is to buy a used 5 channel amp, ditch the speaker selector box, run the C2 zone2 output to the 5 channel input and hook the 4 sets of speakers to the 5 channel. Will this work? Can you have just 1 input to the 5 channel and have it evenly output to 4 sets of speakers. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thank You. 8)

[Chris D]

Ummm, yeah, I suppose your idea would work, but a 5-channel amp is only going to be able to power 5 speakers. So when you say 5 "sets" of speakers, that makes me think that each of your sets may be stereo, for a total of 10 speakers. You'd need 10 channels of amplification.

Heck, just buy two A-51's! I'm still happy overall with my Zone 2 cranked to max volume, outputting to an old stereo receiver. My recommendation would be to use more amplification power if you're getting distortion, etc. Especially with speaker selectors and such, you've got to make sure you're bringing the power.

[jdbaker]

Your right.

Chris, I did not think about the number of channels correctly, I need to power 3 pairs of speakers so I need a 6 channel amp. What about finding a used 7.1 receiver that has the ability of 6x75 or 6x100 wpc. I could run the C2 zone output to the receivers input (?) then have even output to all 6 channels. Much cheaper than 2 more A51's, plus my cabinet is pretty much full. Is this what you do?
Thanks for your help.
JDB :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Chris D]

Hey, sorry it's taken me a while, I'm out on a trip right now. My all-home audio goes from the C1 Zone 2 line-level output to "Tape 2" inputs on an old Kenwood stereo receiver that I've got. I think it's like 125 wpc. Then from the stereo speaker outs it goes to an impedance matching wallbox speaker splitter from Parts Express. The wallbox splitter then distributes it through in-wall speaker wire I installed with the house to 5 different zones. I wish I had more power to push it through the impedance matching system, as it does cut out at high volume sometimes. But I can run all 5 zones off a single stereo receiver/amplifier, and being all installed in the walls it's nice and clean.