2. home-theater
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New Two Zone System - I'm out of my League

Hello,

I've read a ton of the Home Theater posts and everyone is super knowledgeable and helpful.  I'm kindly asking for everyone's advice.

I have always been a two-channel (amp, pre-amp, tower speakers) person.  My wife and I are remodeling our main floor and now the two towers have to go - I'm sure you can guess why!


Zone 1:  In the living room I will have two in-wall speakers - left/right speakers on the sides of the TV and a powered subwoofer.  Unless you suggest otherwise, I'd like to use my existing Parasound amp and pre-amp separates to power the two in-walls and send an audio signal to the powered subwoofer (using "loop output" on the amp).  These speakers will mainly be used for TV watching, and occasional music playing.  I have no interest in anything more than this 2.1 set-up.


Zone 2:  In the kitchen on the same floor as the living room I will have two in-ceiling speakers.  These speakers will play music.  I was thinking I would power these speakers with an integrated amp.


Most times - it will be the TV audio playing through the in walls in Zone 1 and music playing through the in-ceilings in Zone 2 (simultaneously).  This is easily accomplished with the set-up I described above (I believe).  My question / confusion is this - I'd ideally like the option to play music from the same source in the two zones at the same time (same music playing through all four speakers in the two rooms).  Can you please tell me the easiest / best way to accomplish this flexibility?


Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Matt

mminor

Showing 4 responses by mminor

mminor OP
5 posts
 

Hi AuxInput.  Thanks so much for your detailed and quick response - I really appreciate it.  My more in-depth details are below.


Amp = Parasound HCA-1500A (200 watts per channel, 2 channels)

Pre-Amp = Parasound PLD-2000

$1,000 = Budget for HT Processor / AV Receiver (I'm still not clear on the difference between the HT Processor and AV Reciever)

Video = HDMI 4k / 18GB, Netflix, streaming - I originally was going to run the HDMI directly from the cable TV box to the TV and then run Audio left/right from the TV to the preamp.  I will also have a cat5 cable going to the TV (for streaming).  But I understand the HDMI can carry the audio signal as well, I'm def open to / looking for suggestions here.


I'm fine not using / replacing my current Parasound preamp.  If I use the HT processor or AV Receiver - will I be able to choose which zone I use my current Parasound two-channel amp with (Living Room, in-walls)?


Please let me know if any further info would be useful.  Thanks again for all your help!

Matt



mminor OP
5 posts
 

Thank you to both gdnrbob and AudioInput for all your suggestions and details - I can't tell you how helpful this is!


To tls49:


Living Room - Zone 1 (2.1 set-up) sources:

(1) Music audio files (MP3's) stored on remote hard drive

(2) Sirius satellite radio streamed via laptop (?) - I don't think Sirius is supported on the Bluesound Node 2 - blah!

(3) TV audio (cable TV box, streaming Netflix via cat5 cable, etc)


Kitchen - Zone 2 (2.0 set-up)

(1) Music audio files (MP3's) stored on remote hard drive

(2) Sirius satellite radio streamed via laptop (?)


I'd like the option to play #2 and #3 speakers simultaneously from same source at same time.  But in most cases it will be #3 playing in the Living Room, while music plays in the kitchen.  Also, if it makes a difference - all the components (cable TV box, AV Receiver, amp, Bluesound, Sonos, whatever...) will be located in a ventilated space together.


Thanks again for everyone's help - I already know a lot more than yesterday and it's all thanks to you guys.


Matt


mminor OP
5 posts
 
Hello. I am the original poster and I want to thank everyone for their very detailed responses. I truly wouldn't have been able to solve this without your help. 

In combination with the Parasound amp and pre-amp, I went with the NAD C356BEE integrated amp with built in DAC module. The NAD will drive four speakers at the same time which will be perfect for the four in-ceiling speakers in zone 2 (the kitchen).

I also plan to get an Audioengine B1 bluetooth wireless receiver. This unit will send output signals to both Parasound preamp (using RCA cables) and the NAD Integrated amp (using toslink cable) simultaneously. Although it will be rare that I play the same audio in both zone 1 (living room) and zone 2 (kitchen) at the same time. But I believe I will accomplish this flexibility. I believe the B1 receiver will also allow my wife to watch her TV shows on her iPad in the kitchen while having the iPad audio play through the ceiling speakers instead of the iPad speakers - this would be a big win!

Lastly, I will run a separate USB cable through the walls from NAD to the kitchen just in case the quality of the bluetooth audio from the B1 is unacceptable (to me).

One question - where do you guys typically locate the IR repeater sensor in the kitchen area?

Thanks again for everyone's advice - I really appreciate it. This is what makes Audiogon so special!

Matt
mminor OP
5 posts
 
Thanks for your help elevick - much appreciated!

Matt
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