Fw: [slinkelist] Multi-room Multi-zone Preamps/Amps

[Richard Passman]

Sorry forgot to send this to the list.....
>
>
> > Does anybody have suggestions on multi-zone amps or preamps that can be
> > computer controlled with rs-232/485 or slink.  I don't want to use IR
> > control because i want to be able to poll the status of the system.
> >
> > The only functions I need are source selection for multiple zones and
> volume
> > control.
> > I have seen literature on the Xantech ZPR-something.  That looks great
but
> > it is a little expensive.  Does anyone have experience with the quality
of
> > that system?
>
> Steve,
>
> I have Xantech ZPR68-10 preamp as the hub of my system, and I have found
it
> to perform faultlessly. The sound quality is pretty good, as good as any
mid
> level preamp anyway.
>
> In addition I have upgraded the unit with some revised RS232 control
> firmware, that allows better integration into home automation/system
> control. One advantage of the unit is that you can just use an IR remote,
> great when that new revision of software doesn't quite work and you've got
> guests coming......
>
> So far I've only found 2 shortcomings :-
>
> 1) The original RS232 control firmware is not the easiest to work with,
BUT
> xantech have been keen to help me, and consequently I'm beta testing MOD5
> frimware which is alot better.
> 2) There is no 'Paging' function, i.e. switch to input 5 while TTS says
who
> is calling, but this is reasonably easy to achieve with some PC code.
>
> Hope that helps..
>
> Richard Passman
>
> p.s. I am in the process of designing a RS485 network module that will do
> all this and can be used with other HA systems like, Homevision,Stargate,
> HCSII ect
>