[HMontauk]

I just moved into a new house and am looker for a receiver that will run 5.1 HT audio in the Den (Zone 1) and 4 pairs of speakers from 4 other rooms (Zone 2). I want to have the option to play any combination of the other 4 rooms, for example - just room 1 with rooms 2-4 off, rooms 1 & 3 with rooms 2 & 4 off, or all rooms on. I do not need multi-source for the 4 rooms as they will all be playing the same source. What is the best/most cost effective way to accomplish this?


I've been considering a couple of options:

1. Assign back amps of 7.1 receiver to Zone 2 and connect the other 4 rooms to a speaker selector to Zone 2. Would this work or would, or would the back amps not be enough to power the speakers in the other 4 rooms? I'm looking at the Denon 1913 for this, but it does not have pre-outs if I would need an external amp. If I need external amps would Denon 2113 or Pioneer VSX-1122 be good options?
   
2. Use a 5.1 multi-zone receiver with pre-outs and external amp with speaker selector for other 4 rooms. For this option, I am looking at the Denon 1713.

Would one of these options be better than the other? Should I be considering any others or any other receivers?

 

[jdsmoothie]

Either a Denon "CI" (eg. 2113CI) model or the 1713 would work as you would want to add a 2CH external amp connected to the AVR's Zone 2 pre-outs and to the external amp connect a 4-zone impedance matching speaker selector.

 

[HMontauk]

Thanks.


What would be the major benefits of the 2113 over the 1713 if I'm only going to have 5.1 in Zone 1? Also are there any speaker selectors that have an iphone app to control the selection?

 

[jdsmoothie]

Now that the 1713 offers networking, not much ... video upscaling and 3rd year of warranty.

 

[HMontauk]

Amazon has the 2112 for about the same price as the 1713. I know that you can isolate Airplay to zone 2 with the 1713 compared to having to send it to both zones 1 & 2 on the 2112. Other than that is the 2112 a better receiver?

 

[jdsmoothie]

With no video chip ... it would only offer the 3rd year of warranty.

 

[HMontauk]

Thanks, jdsmoothie. Another question. With the external amp/speaker selector setup, could I control zone 2 volume from the Denon iPhone app or would volume control have to be done manually from the selector?

 

[jdsmoothie]

With both the 1713 and 2112CI/2113CI Zone 2 pre-outs use a "fixed" volume so volume must be controlled by the external amp and/or speaker selector, while with the 2312CI/2313CI you could control the volume with the iPhone app.

 

[HMontauk]

Got it. If I went up to the 2312/2313, I'm assuming I would I still need an external amp to power the 4 pairs of speakers? Or do those AVR's have more power than the 1713/2112/2113 to power Zone 2 on their own?

 

[jdsmoothie]

Yes, you would need an external amp with any model you purchased .... much safer to use an external amp when you're trying to power more than 2 additional rooms.

 

[HMontauk]

Ok, after doing some more research it looks like I could do the 4 room/external amp/speaker selector setup with the Denon 2312 and Pioneer Elite VSX-60 and both offer zone 2 variable volume allowing control with the mobile app. Is my understanding correct? Are there any significant differentiating features between the 2312 and VSX-60? I can get the VSX-60 for about $115 less than the 2312.

 

[HMontauk]

Can anyone confirm if both the 2312 and vsx-60 would work for my needs? Any thoughts on how these two AVRs compare?

 

[HMontauk]



Quote:
Originally Posted by HMontauk  /t/1419004/which-multi-zone-receiver-for-connecting-4-rooms-to-zone-2#post_22197111


Ok, after doing some more research it looks like I could do the 4 room/external amp/speaker selector setup with the Denon 2312 and Pioneer Elite VSX-60 and both offer zone 2 variable volume allowing control with the mobile app. Is my understanding correct? Are there any significant differentiating features between the 2312 and VSX-60? I can get the VSX-60 for about $115 less than the 2312.

I found a Denon 3312 for basically the same price as the 2312 so am now trying to decide b/w the 3312 and the Pioneer Elite vsx-60 for about $115 less. Any thoughts on how these 2 compare for my needs?