House Audio

Hardware Options

2 Zone Receivers

• Onkyo TX-SR605 - $450

Best in this price range. Has XM and SIRIUS radio inputs. Good zone 2 options including separate back suround/zone 2 speaker terminals that are menu selectable. Also comes with an "auto setup" microphone. Onkyo TX-SR605 Manual. Don't forget to order the DS-A2X ($90) iPod dock with on screen display.

• Denon AVR-887 - $600

This 6.1 receiver includes a two zone / multi-source option when used with an external zone 2 amplifier. It seems to be of midrange quality and has adequate power output. Seems to have adequate inputs and can perform S-Video up-conversion for composit video. Has XM radio inputs. Denon AVR-887 Manual Get the ASD-1R ($100) iPod dock.

Remote Controls

• Harmony 890 - Smart remote w/ Z-Wave support ($300)

This remote comes with an RF extender for controling devices behind a cabinet. It is configurable on a PC through a USB port. Harmony 890 Manual Be aware that as of 11/2006 this remote can only be a master Z-Wave controller and does not support copying to secondary controllers. That will not work for any type of home automation. The 880 is a cheaper choice and you can always use an IR receiver to integrate w/ the home automation controller; which can control the Z-Wave lights.

Multi-Zone The Cheap Way

I could spend $3000 and do this right, but well I'm cheap.

Sherwood RX-4105 Stereo Receiver - Good $100 receiver w/ 100W / channel and remotely selectable A/B speakers. Could be a good one zone / two room system with it's own receiver.

Audiosource AMP102 50 Watt - Good $130 amp w/ 2 source auto select and remote on/off. Smaller than comparable receivers.

The idea is:
Any zone can send its output to the central zone; any or all zones can play the central zone.

• Provide local amplification near the zone (e.g. bedroom or office)
• Local sources can be connected directly to the AMP (e.g. bedroom TV, computer, etc.)
• The local zone AMP can be controlled locally with a remote or on the face
• The AMP line output can be connected back to a central zone selector
• One of the AMP input sources is the central zone selector

The required miracle to make this usable:

• Each zone AMP needs an IR receiver and blaster connected to the central zone controller
• The central zone controller must know how to control each zone AMP (possibly different manufacturers)
• The room remotes must have multi-input selectors that the central controller can use as input for the zone selection

Nice to have:

• Integration with LinuxMCE or Misterhouse for the central zone control