Pioneer Elite VSX-023TXH Multi-zone operation (1 Viewer)

[Schofim]

Hi, my name is Fred.

I bought a Pioneer Elite VSX-23TXH 7.1 Receiver after reviewing Pioneer's online spec and speaking to two dealers. This is a 3 zone receiver and I was assured verbally that would be able to play home theater in one room while playing separate audio (CD or FM) in two other rooms. As an alternative I would be able to play audio (CD or FM) in all three rooms.

When I brought the receiver home and read the manual I found out for the first time that zones 2 and 3 required separate amplifiers. Also, I noted that the surround sound speaker outputs have posts that accept a banana connector or a wire, and that the zone 2 & 3 outputs instead have an RCA/phono connector.

I'm thinking about trying to take the receiver back to where I bought it, but this may not be the best option if I can't get a suitable replacement. Also, since it was purchased at a discount outlet they may not have a liberal return policy.

Can anyone recommend a course of action using a separate amp? What amps are available on the market to drive two sets of 8 ohm stereo speakers? Is $100, with delivery, possible? Could the amp be located on the floor (rug) behind the HT cabinetry?

Also, I now have what looks like size 12 wire going about 75-100 feet through the attic to the other 2 rooms. However, the output of receiver zones 2 & 3 is via RCA/phono connectors. The RCA connectors I've seen have a small center wire and ground incompatible with my #12 wire. Will the recommended amp take in the RCA input from the receiver and output the amplified audio through a post/banana plug connector that will accept #12 wire? If not, is there another way to make this transition?

 

[gene c]

Most receivers with zone 2 and/or 3 use the 6th and 7th channel to power a second zone. The other 5 channels are then used for a 5.1 setup in your main room. Not sure how the Pioneer Elite 23 handles this.

If you can't use the surround/back channels to power one of the zones then you would need something like this AudioSource 2-channel amp which can be found for around $100. For two zones you would need two of these amps. There are 4 channel amps which you could use for both zones but they are generelly well over $100 unless you buy used, which isn't a bad idea. You would hook it up to your receiver with RCA type wires. The amp has speaker outputs to connect your 12 g wires from your speakers in the other rooms.

I suppose you could also buy another cheap 5.1 receiver for around $100 and use it to power your zone 2 and 3.

Hope this helped.

 

[WooBah]

I have the vsx-23txh, it is a great receiver. You will love it. Also, I have Zone running on my 23txh. The Receiver has enough power to run a zone 2 audio setup and a zone 3 audio setup. I can't speak for video as I have not tried it. I also read the manual and saw that sentence as well. I am not sure what they are referring to, but you do NOT need a separate amplifier for Zone 2.