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General discussion

Multi-zone receiver recommendation

by congiannoulis Feb 22, 2006 1:07AM PST

I'm shopping for an a/v receiver, and want one that allows me to play one source (e.g., TV) through the main set of surround speakers in the family room, and play another source (e.g., CD) through a second set of stereo speakers in the kitchen without requiring another source of amplification in the kitchen. I don't know what the standard term for this feature is, and am having a hard time determining which products allow this and which don't. Multi-zone, multi-source, A/B/A+B, etc....I'm somewhat confused.

Any recommendations for products under $500 or advice on how to easily determine whether or not a receiver allows this function? Another function I'd like on the receiver, but perhaps can live without, is a phono/turntable input.

Thanks.

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3 Posts
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multi-zone receiver
by Dan Filice Feb 22, 2006 2:10AM PST

I have a Yamaha receiver that has this function. I think most newer Yamahas do have this feature. The Yamahas that have this function have a dial (hiddin under a front panel) that allows you to choose what source will feed the second zone. I don't know if any other brand has it since I haven't looked at receivers since I bought my Yamaha about 3 years ago. The second zone only does stereo, not 5.1, and it requires hard-wiring the second-zone speakers into the receiver. I use my second-zone to run music from iTunes on my Mac to speakers in my backyard so I can hear music when barbequing and swimming while the main receiver can run surround or another music source in the TV room.

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Multi-zone receiver recommendation
by jcrobso Feb 22, 2006 6:59AM PST

Two recivers,, I got a second $100 stereo reciver to handle the remote duties. John

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cost effective way...
by sirroundsound Feb 22, 2006 8:49AM PST

adding a second, inexpensive receiver, and splitting the outputs from things like CD players is certainly a way to fit this into almost any budget. Many "multi room" receivers are well over $500.00, plus you may find issues you didn't think of. Often in the lower priced models they divert the power from the surround amplifiers to run the other Zones speakers, so If someone was watching a movie, and you decided to turn on the music in the kitchen, you have just taken the rear channels away from the movie.

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