My Control4 system has basically died. Not wanting to invest more in a dealer driven eco system, I need some guidances re: home audio distribution. I have searched the forum under "whole house audio" and have some pretty good ideas. Here are my set up:
1. 5 audio only zones (two speakers/zone) home run to a closet
2. I want only one source (music on iphone/ipad Airplay) with ability to control volume for each zone
3. Easy usability for the family
4. Options are:
a. Sonos Connect versus Airport Express
Ideally, I would use AE as I'm fairly invested in the Apple eco system. I would need a multi zone amp (10-12 channels).
My questions are:
1. What multi-zone amp has auto-sensing (i.e off unless I stream something to the AE connected to those channels)
2. My music library is stored on a Synology NAS - any other options as far as single source goes if I just want to use an iPhone to stream music library from the NAS rather an using multiple AE with Airplay stream.
AE would be the least expensive way for you to go. Niles SI-1230 or something similar will do what you're looking for. If you are looking for something storage based and not just AE then Sonos is a good start, I'd argue that the MMS-2A from Autonomic would do even better. But... if you just want Airplay and you want to Airplay more than just your iTunes library then AE over Sonos in terms of cost and the fact that it supports actual Airplay.
1. What multi-zone amp has auto-sensing (i.e off unless I stream something to the AE connected to those channels)
2. My music library is stored on a Synology NAS - any other options as far as single source goes if I just want to use an iPhone to stream music library from the NAS rather an using multiple AE with Airplay stream.
1) Most of them do. Russound, Dayton, Monoprice, etc.
2) Chromecast Audio would be the inexpensive solution vs. a Sonos Connect.
But your described setup doesn't get you independent volume control per zone. Now, you could follow a few others here that have done a Chromecast Audio-per-zone solution with a multichannel amp, which would do the job.
Or use the Monoprice or other inexpensive WHA systems along with an app to control them - but note that does complicate the usability because of the need to switch apps for basic on/off/volume and music selection.
Thanks for the feedback. Wouldn't I get volume control when I stream from my iPhone simply by controlling the volume? I also looked into the Chromecast like you suggested. I unfortunately over the years accumulated alot of itunes music that are protected with Apple propriety system, would I be able to play that with Chromecast.
I have a Sonos for my dedicated theater and that always seems to be an issue.
I can tell you from personal experience that the Chromecast Audio (CCA) per zone and a power amp is an effective and cost efficient way to go. You get independent volume control for each CCA via the Cast app. Or you can increase the volume on all channels in one shot at the same time by pressing the physical volume buttons on your device (phone or tablet). I have thousands of songs in I-tunes on my laptop. I use the Plex app on my phone or tablet to stream my i-tunes library. I rarely listen to the i-tunes songs bc I stream mostly from Spotify or Sirius XM (from a Samsung tablet) for music and Stitcher (Samsung tablet) for podcasts.
Definitely. I have Control4 multizone amp, light switches, a plug in module, and a wall LCD panel. Please let me know if you are interested via PM and we can discuss details.
I also have a HC300 controller - the power unit does need replacement though (you can buy it online for around $20-30)
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