My current system (about 6 yrs old) uses in-wall keypad and speakers with Xantech equipment (spent around $5K wholesale). Since then, I have been relying much more on my HTPC which doesn't integrate that well.

I am moving and setting up a new system. I am wondering if there is a low-cost way to control switching on/off of amps that integrates well with the HTPC. I don't need all the different zones I have with my current system (6), but 2 zones would be nice.

I am thinking PC based software (using VMC IR blaster) or even something like a sensor that can sense audio and turn on the amp and if the audio is stopped on the HTPC, goes to low power mode waiting to sense audio again and power up.

It is really annoying now having to fire-up the audio on the HTPC and then fire up the amp separately. I often stop video/audio and forget to turn off the amp.

Look at something like the AudioSource AMP-100. It's a standalone amp that has line level sensing inputs. In otherwords, when it senses your PC sending something across the line level inputs it turns on. I use them on my external zones from my Concerto. All you would need then is a couple of sound cards or a single multizone card like a Delta 44.