Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Receiver for digital sources in zone 2?

My Onkyo 805 has been stellar, but it's getting long in the tooth. It lacks dynamic volume, dynamic EQ, music streaming, control via network device (android / tablet / ipad) and I've got a mickey-rigged external HDMI switch that uses the same codes as my LED light. Bother. Plus, it doesn't get hot enough anymore to evenly brown pancakes. Kidding. It's just as hot as it ever was.

Anyway, one of my desires is to use listen to digital content (i.e. devices connected via HDMI only) in zone 2 (I have a separate amp). This always used to be basically impossible; anything I want to hear in Zone 2 requires an analog input.

So, I want to be able to watch TV in the main room and stream audio using an Apple TV in Zone 2, for instance.

Has anybody solved this problem?

Look at the Denon X Series. I have a Denon X4000 and a Denon X4100, both will do it.

You could probably save some money and go with a Denon x2000/x3000 too, but I don't have one so I can't comment on it.

Thanks, Newf. I need pre-outs, which I think were previously only available on the X4000 and up, but I was browsing the other day and seem to remember that now the X3100 might fit my other needs.

Are the Denon manuals still unintelligible?

Tom, I've found the on-screen menus MUCH more intuitive than older models. I still haven't read the manual for my new Denon, but feel confident I set it up fully as I wanted.

Funny how most people here prefer their Denon receivers. But I've had 2 Pioneer and 1 Denon. I prefer the Pioneer over the Denon. They have a much fuller sound to me (MCACC).

Perhaps the Denons are better for the M80 and up and the Pioneers are better for the M22-M60. The Pioneers are better at bass, but some say overkill.

Mark, you got an X4000, right? I spent a little time with the X3100 online manual last night, and I'm just still not 100% sure it does what I want.

I think I want the receiver to take a device connected SOLELY via HDMI and route the audio signal to the Zone 2 audio-out RCA jacks while I'm listening to a different digital source in the main zone. Now, I *think* this happens with the Denons (and the Marantzes, too) but the manual is MUCH more explicit about the Zone 2 HDMI Output and the Zone 2 speaker output than it is about the Zone 2 audio output.

http://manuals.denon.com/AVRX3100W/NA/EN/GFNFSYtmyicciu.php

The manuals DO seem a lot better. I don't have any brand loyalty on this deal; I just want something that has the right feature set. I REALLY want to be able to set my music free; my frustration level with the Sqeezebox is high. I'd like to see not just Bluetooth and Airplay, but also an elegant, easy-to-use, mobile-device-enabled interface that allows me to play music from a networked computer or perhaps even an attached USB drive. Unfortunately, I don't really see a lot of information about the UI for such features.

Brian, the SC-81/82 manual perpetuates my current deficit


HOWEVER, it is possible that the Pioneer (like the Yamaha RX-A1040) will output USB and/or network sources to Zone 2. My primary use example has been Apple TV because that's how I see the music getting from a hard drive to Zone 2, but IF the USB/Network UI is good, then I might not have to go through the Apple TV at all.

So, maybe what I really need is:

I want to use my phone and/or iPad to control my music collection and have it output to a separate power amp for Zone 2.

So, is it common/possible nowadays to just put all your music onto a hard disk and plug it in to the back of the receiver, or do you still need to have a computer on the network somewhere running as a file server?

Yes, Tom.... I have an X4000. I had to go look because I didn't even remember.

Unfortunately, I can't be of any help unless I actually try an audio out. I don't use the Zones, so I don't really know anything about them. I also don't control it with a phone or iPad, nor do I generally access music off computers.

I'm sorry.... I just don't use it in any of the ways that you're looking to. I just bought it because I was tired of not having the higher-level audio soundtracks and enough HDMI inputs.

I HAVE listened to some music from my network, and that worked better / easier than my older Denon. And I'm willing to test something out for you. But I'm really not the guy to ask.

Well, at least you seem to feel bad about it.

I liked the box you built for your old Denon in the workshop (which is nicer than my living room).

I think since you are so dramatically under-utilizing your modern piece of equipment that you should give it to somebody like me who will fully appreciate its capabilities.

I have the old Denon sitting in the studio, waiting to be photographed for CL. The stereo in the workshop is just an old, cheap Sherwood. Despite the box, etc., it's still too prone to dust to put anything but the cheapest down there!

I'm with Tom on this one. I'm sure he'd be willing to do a straight up trade for his fancy sports car, which I note would be awesomely usefull to you during the winter.