We are in the middle of a house remodel and I'd like to have audio in 4-5 rooms...I will be buying a new 7.1 receiver regardless but I don't believe there is a receiver that can handle a 7.1 setup and 4 other pairs of speakers with the capability of supplying a second source...what else do I need?

I'll try to answer my own question...something like this?

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-OebQpXvS6qh/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?i=190SI1230

Any cheaper options?

The cheapest option would be to use the Zone 2 output speaker terminals and connect them to an impedance matching speaker selector box. From there you would feed your volume controls and speakers around the house. However, in most receivers you will only have 5.1 capability because they generally use the 2 surround back channels for Zone 2 speakers in an "either/ or" fashion. Also, you would be splitting up that power from those 2 channels to service the 4 or 5 rooms around the house. (At moderate listening levels, this is still fine.) Another thing to consider is that you will only be able to have one source such as your CD audio or Cable TV audio sent out to the rooms with no ability to mix-n-match sources.

The important part right now is to ensure that you have everything properly wired so that when the time comes, your hands aren't tied and you have some options. At that point you can decide on how robust and flexible you want your multiroom system to be.

The cheapest option would be to use the Zone 2 output speaker terminals and connect them to an impedance matching speaker selector box. From there you would feed your volume controls and speakers around the house. However, in most receivers you will only have 5.1 capability because they generally use the 2 surround back channels for Zone 2 speakers in an "either/ or" fashion. Also, you would be splitting up that power from those 2 channels to service the 4 or 5 rooms around the house. (At moderate listening levels, this is still fine.) Another thing to consider is that you will only be able to have one source such as your CD audio or Cable TV audio sent out to the rooms with no ability to mix-n-match sources.

The important part right now is to ensure that you have everything properly wired so that when the time comes, your hands aren't tied and you have some options. At that point you can decide on how robust and flexible you want your multiroom system to be.

With a multi-room amp with multiple sources, can you switch sources/music selection from the wall switch (button pad)? I guess what my real question is:

How do I make my wife happy with this? If she wants to listen to music upstairs, she does not want to have to walk downstairs to the equipment cabinet to change something...

If you want to be able to change sources along with other things from the rooms, you could do it with an RF remote but then you're starting to get a little half-assed on the system. The next step would be an amplifier/ controller like the Niles unit you asked about. However, that unit is just an amplifier. You can't select sources or perform any other commands remotely from say, your master bedroom. Beyond that you get into other units from manufacturers like Russound, Channel Plus, Xantech, Proficient Audio, etc, like these:

http://www.russound.com/caa.htm

http://www.channelplus.com/product_detail.php?productId=137

http://www.xantech.com/Audio/AVDistribution/AVDistribution/MRC44CTL/

www.proficientaudio.com M4 or M6 System (The click "electroincs")

As you can see, thses systems all have dedicated keypads that allow you to change radio stations, skip CD/iPod tracks, adjust the volume and more. The wiring topology for these systems is different, though. So keep that in mind. These require speaker wire from the amplifier location in your family room (or where ever your gear is) directly to the speakers. Then, a Cat5 gets installed from the amplifier to the keypad location for control.

If you want to be able to change sources along with other things from the rooms, you could do it with an RF remote but then you're starting to get a little half-assed on the system. The next step would be an amplifier/ controller like the Niles unit you asked about. However, that unit is just an amplifier. You can't select sources or perform any other commands remotely from say, your master bedroom. Beyond that you get into other units from manufacturers like Russound, Channel Plus, Xantech, Proficient Audio, etc, like these:

http://www.russound.com/caa.htm

http://www.channelplus.com/product_detail.php?productId=137

http://www.xantech.com/Audio/AVDistribution/AVDistribution/MRC44CTL/

www.proficientaudio.com M4 or M6 System (The click "electroincs")

As you can see, thses systems all have dedicated keypads that allow you to change radio stations, skip CD/iPod tracks, adjust the volume and more. The wiring topology for these systems is different, though. So keep that in mind. These require speaker wire from the amplifier location in your family room (or where ever your gear is) directly to the speakers. Then, a Cat5 gets installed from the amplifier to the keypad location for control.

That's very helpful...thanks...I think if we're going to do it, it'll be one of those above...the wife doesn't want to look for a remote or walk downstairs to change sources, etc...any recommendations out of the ones you listed?

They are all basically the same thing. I like the Proficient Audio gear, myself. The M6 system has 2 built-in tuners which is nice. Plus, they make some fantastic inwall and inceiling speakers. Proficient Audio is a sister-company of Speakercraft so you know you're getting some good stuff.

What do most people use for their audio source (if they only have one)? Each seems to have negatives:

1) Directv XM stations: Problem when someone wants to watch tv

2) Tuner (FM/AM): Lots of commercials

3) XM subscription using capable receiver: $13/month

Any other options or something I'm missing?

i have my 2nd zone set up with the ps3 streaming mp3's from my computer while my regular 5.1 can still be used to do whatever. this is used mostly when we have friends over and the kids are watching movies in the living room, we can still listen to either the radio or any of my mp3's (i have about 40 gigs of mp3's) in the other room while we play cards or whatever.

i have my 2nd zone set up with the ps3 streaming mp3's from my computer while my regular 5.1 can still be used to do whatever. this is used mostly when we have friends over and the kids are watching movies in the living room, we can still listen to either the radio or any of my mp3's (i have about 40 gigs of mp3's) in the other room while we play cards or whatever.

So you just manually turn on the ps3 (and computer if needed) when you want to listen or is there a "trick"?

There are lots of ways to do this. Hire a professional.

There are lots of ways to do this. Hire a professional.

I always like to at least see what I can handle on my own first since that would save some money vs. hiring a pro...if I find I'm in over my head I'll be happy to hire someone...thanks...I think what's hard for me isn't so much HOW to do it but instead as you said there are so many ways to do it it's hard to choose :)

For sources, you can use an iPod or maybe a squeezebox from Logitech to stream your songs from your computer wirelessly.

For a completely different option have a look at the Sonos: Sonos (http://www.sonos.com). It will let you stream music from a PC or your main system to any room with each room having a different source or the same source synchronized. Gets expensive if you want multiple controllers...

you might want to ask this question in the Home AV distribution forum.

More traffic, lots of expert DIYers and CIs.

If you want to be able to change sources along with other things from the rooms,. . . . Beyond that you get into other units from manufacturers like Russound, Channel Plus, Xantech, Proficient Audio, etc, like these:
. . .. .
As you can see, thses systems all have dedicated keypads that allow you to change radio stations, skip CD/iPod tracks, adjust the volume and more. The wiring topology for these systems is different, though. So keep that in mind. These require speaker wire from the amplifier location in your family room (or where ever your gear is) directly to the speakers. Then, a Cat5 gets installed from the amplifier to the keypad location for control.

Sonos does all that, but wirelessly and with a great UI.