Multi-channel networked audio switch? (1 Viewer)

[skyguy04]

I'm looking for the lowest cost option to power my whole home audio system. I have 10 rooms with 2 speakers in each, all running to a single audio panel with RCA audio connectors. I've looked at an 8 zone amp, but it looks like that will run me about $2500. I'm looking for alternatives.

Idea - Multi-channel networked audio switch?
Does something exist where I can control which channel to power (one at a time), either from a computer or iphone over the network?

Any suggestions would be most appreciated!

 

[schan1269]

It would help to know what this "single panel with RCA connectors" is.Cause we can't help, at all, without knowing what it is.And $2500 is about right. Whole home audio is not, and never, ever, ever will be cheap.

 

[skyguy04]

I don't know what else to call them other than RCA connectors. I've uploaded a photo of the panel, maybe that will help. Basically, it's just speaker wire ran to a panel with a connector on the end. Nothing fancy. There is a resistor-based volume control in-line to control the volume. Uploaded a picture of one of those as well.

View attachment 2641
View attachment 2640

 

[skyguy04]

I don't have $2500 to spend on this project, nor do i think it's worth that much. Surely there are other solutions than powering every speaker, all the time.

 

[schan1269]

First, to cut the confusion...That is not RCA. That is binding post.Second, are all 12 sets of binding posts "live"?

 

[skyguy04]

hmm.. i thought binding posts were where you stick your speaker wire in the side and then twist it down tight. These you have to actually make up a banana plug and plug them in, like i've done. Anyhow, no biggy...

By live, do you mean powered? Each one is literally just wire running to the back of a speaker, no power. Only 10 of them actually run to speakers. There are 2 more rooms that are wired, but no speakers.

 

[skyguy04]

nevermind, you're right about the binding posts. I just looked up RCA connectors and that's not what these are.

 

[schan1269]

"Live" meant wired at the other end with a speaker...So, you've got 12 sets(10 in use) of binding posts ready for anywhere from...2 channel amp ran through a 12-way speaker switch for 12(or 10) sets of speakers. Or two 2 channel amps running through a "2 source 12-way" speaker switch...Or three 2 channel amps running through a "3 source 12-way"...And so on...

 

[schan1269]

Russound Pro-12HPThat is what you need. Not necessarily that one...but one like it.

 

[schan1269]

The 12HP is a two source. So, you could get either...Two 2 channel amps or one 4 channel and...Feed your AVR to one set(two channels) and leave the other "open" for connecting an iPad/phone/cd player, or whatever else you wanted.That way if you were doing a superbowl party you could choose to feed the game "wherever you wanted" and feed something else "everywhere else"...

 

[skyguy04]

Wo, thanks! So there is no networked switch out there that you can operate from your iPhone, huh? Doh...

It looks like my only options are pay around $400-500 for a 2-channel amp + speaker selector or $2500 for an 8 channel amp (or probably a ton more for a 12 channel amp). Correct?

Thanks again for your help!

 

[schan1269]

There are networked(actually RS 232 that "takes network and converts it") speaker switches...But they cost more than a 12 channel amp.

 

[schan1269]

Put it this way. The last 14 zone, 5 source "internet controlled" system I designed...$750 for my design$2300-ish install($140 an hour, included "training the owner")$27,000 in equipment