Multi-zone streaming distribution
Answered
Hi all....
We recently bought a new apartment with high quality built in speakers in multiple rooms. I'm looking to single source the audio with a Node, but need an amp with 4 (minimum) stereo outputs. Here's the kicker, I want to be able to control the volume and turn each zone on/off independently, preferably over WiFi - ideally in a BluOs (or Roon) environment. IR is a mess and I don't want separate remotes
Previous owner had 6 Sonos AMPs for the job, but I don't like Sonos for streamers, network security or sound quality
Could do it with multiple Powernodes, but it's expensive and overkill as I do not need to replicate the streamers. Also several of the 'zones' are in the same audio space (speakers in ceiling of LR/DiningRoom/Kitchen, an extended great room. I want the same sound from all speakers, just the ability to control the volume independently
Finally some of the speakers were part of a 5.1 AV system which we will not be using (we are building our a separate media room). I want to take advantage of the built in sub (very high end with it's own amp) and will run both L+R of the front and rear as separate zones. Does the SUVW connector on the Node (and PowerNode 2i) have variable output to control volume from a single point (ie not having to mess with speaker + sub volume independently as the sub remote is IR and there is no line of sight nor convenient IR repeater).
It's 2021, this should be easier....
Thx!
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Official comment
Hi Greggo
Speak with your Bluesound Authorised Reseller about the NAD CI580 from NAD Electronics (a sister Brand).
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Thanks, I was hoping to get some consumer grade equipment that doesn't require special automation software.
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The NAD CI580 uses the exact same software - think of it as 4 nodes in one box
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Actually the CI 580 is a very interesting product, but it does not solve my issue of a multichannel amplifier capable of independent channel remote (RF or WiFi) power control. Preferrable the inputs can be global to one line level source and a bonus would be to operate several channel in bridge mod
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Hi Greggo,
What did you end up doing?
I'm in more or less the same situation.
Audio system in the kitchen. There is an adjacent room which has speakers and I want to be able to switch on and off those speakers easily (preferably with push of one button). Good old amps had A9B speakers.
Good luck finding a receiver with DAB, Roon support and A+B posts that support 6 ohm speakers.
This has been driving me crazy. Currently only option I see is using multiple powernodes or using 1 node with Y-splitter going to multiple power amps (e.g. Tangent Pwerampster 2).
Thanks
Yves1 -
or using 1 node with Y-splitter going to multiple power amps
This option sounds like a troubleshooting nightmare...
Consider an NAD M10v3 or C700v2 in the main room and a POWERNODE EDGE or even a PULSE M on the counter for the Kitchen. They will run together or independently when you want either option.
BluOS does not support DAB but does offer multiple options for digital Internet Radio Streams depending on your region. TuneIn Radio is supported by over 10,000 radio stations around the world.
Speak to an authorised BluOS Dealer near you for options www.bluesound.com/stores or www.nadelectronics.com/dealers to locate your nearest one.
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Hi Tony,
Many thanks for a very quick reply!
I agree with you that using external amps will be tricky.
However I do have some issues with the solutions you propose:
- Using mutliple streamer/amps such as the powernode or the NAD seems to be the way manufacturers are solving multi zone playback. I find grouping and un-grouping very complex. It used to be a push on a A+B button. Now you gotta go in the app, group or- un-group, etc. I find that to be not very handy in BluOS (and in Roon). I did submit a request to Roon to have devices in multiple groups and separate at the same time avoiding the group/un-grouping.
- TuneIn has become a nightmare since they introduced more advertisement. I understand they have to make money. But the regular interruptions (on top of the adds from the radio stations), where music just stops, no sound for seconds, an add (if you're lucky) and then the music to resumes. That is not good. You can find many people complaining about it on various forums. I have given up on TuneIn. Internet radio works great via Roon. DAB is just too easy and ... well ... just works.
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Yves, I went back to a DAB+ tuner earlier this year but sold it on quite quickly.
Firstly the audio quality on both FM and DAB+ is not a patch compared to the FLAC radio streams available. Secondly it was not as quick and easy to switch to the Tuner and sometimes required the use of the App. So now I have the streams programmed into the Bluesound RC1 remote control and it’s super easy with a single press to play a station and at a predetermined volume level.
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HI Yves,
I ended up going with 2 Nodes. One connected to my media room 7.1 system (5.1 + 2 Atmos speakers) for stereo listening. The other sources a multichannel Dayton amp with 8 output zones (I use all 8 for 8 L+R pairs) controlled by their IOS app (individual zone control of volume, on/off, mute, and basic EQ).
I use either BluOS (which I like) or Roon (love/hate relationship). Roon in the media room is controlled by a 3rd party app running on Apple TV and a universal remote configured to display Roon on my TV and allows the remote to do basic Roon function (search and select, volume, zones, etc.). That avoid firing up an IOS app. I'd love to have the BluOS interface on Apple TV for this reason
Its a pain having multiple apps source and speaker control and I've a background project to put everything on a customized (by me) tablet specifically for audio using Home Assistant and some 3rd party user interface 'tile' apps. The group/ungroup will be a single toggle for the 2 nodes. FWIW when using Roon the endpoint in the media room is my stereo amp, not the Node. The media room node is only used for BluOS applications
It's been an adventure :).... good luck
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Thanks for the feedback!
Interested in the 3rd party app that offers you the option to easily group/ungroup
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It's called 'TV:Remote' in the Apple TV App store.
It basically put the Roon interface on the TV to allow navigation by the Apple TV remote. I prefer it, esp the ability to see album info on the TV, over using the IOS Apps
It's the Roon interface, so if you don't like it for managing groups this would not be any different
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Oh ok!
I already have TV:Remote. Handy indeed.
Still find managing groups annoying ...
If I could configure one of the buttons on the BlueSound remote that would be something ...0
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