Hey all --
I have recently moved into a home that has an existing multi room audio system installed, and I need help finding a suitable multi-zone amplifier.
The existing system is all Niles components -- there are three zones with a pair of speakers and a volume knob, and two other zones with speakers but no volume knob. There are no keypads. I believe the previous residents had a Niles ZR-6.
I am only interested in doing audio, video is not important. My main source will be an HTPC (a Mac mini), but having AM/FM and iPod integration might be nice. I also don't want to install any keypads -- I would prefer to control the zones and volume with some kind of wireless device.
Do any of the multi-zone amplifiers have digital audio inputs? I'd like to have a digital audio connection between the amp and the Mac mini.
Also, I have read that some of the amps have RS232 connections, I would love to be able to write some software so I can control the zones/volume with my phone
Any suggestions on where to start looking would be great. I've already had a misstep by thinking I could use a Niles 4630. I bought one off of eBay, hooked it up -- and imagine my surprise when I realized that it is just a 40lb brick when you don't have any keypads!
cheers,
shooz
I have recently moved into a home that has an existing multi room audio system installed, and I need help finding a suitable multi-zone amplifier.
The existing system is all Niles components -- there are three zones with a pair of speakers and a volume knob, and two other zones with speakers but no volume knob. There are no keypads. I believe the previous residents had a Niles ZR-6.
I am only interested in doing audio, video is not important. My main source will be an HTPC (a Mac mini), but having AM/FM and iPod integration might be nice. I also don't want to install any keypads -- I would prefer to control the zones and volume with some kind of wireless device.
Do any of the multi-zone amplifiers have digital audio inputs? I'd like to have a digital audio connection between the amp and the Mac mini.
Also, I have read that some of the amps have RS232 connections, I would love to be able to write some software so I can control the zones/volume with my phone

Any suggestions on where to start looking would be great. I've already had a misstep by thinking I could use a Niles 4630. I bought one off of eBay, hooked it up -- and imagine my surprise when I realized that it is just a 40lb brick when you don't have any keypads!
cheers,
shooz