Bathroom audio setup - XPA-5 + UAC-8.2 - Crazy?

[arthurz]

I wonder if I just went off the deep end...

I'm trying to set up a CHEAP audio zone in the bathroom. I already have an XPA-5 whose 4 channels are used for two other zones (bedroom and study), which leaves me with one free 200W amplifier channel.

What I'm thinking is feeding an old Airport Express into one of these cheap inline volume controls that output a mono signal (e.g. www.amazon.com/Stereo-Extension-Volume-Control-Switch/dp/B004GIFBM4 ), then into a 3.5 mm–RCA cable, and finally into the XPA-5. That would then feed into two UAC-8.2's wired serially. They are going to be located in two random locations in the bathroom, so stereo wouldn't make sense anyway.

I plan on using an Airplay source to control volume within a small range (say 60-100%), so I'm fine just setting the max volume to something reasonable using the above mentioned in-line controller, and then just leaving it out of sight.

The next-cheapest approach I see is using a mini-X a-100, but that's $170 more expensive.

I would REALLY appreciate any comments regarding the above. If you were to guess, would you think the mini-X approach would result in a significantly improved SQ.

Thanks in advance!
-Arthur

[danny01]

I say go for it. Use the XPA's last channel to use. I have Klipsch Promedia 2.1 computer speakers setup in my bathroom, its not a crazy idea. Either that or both of us are completely nuts.;D

Sent from my DROID RAZR using proboards

[garbulky]

Lol. You both are nuts- but in a good way ;D You will be having a house party in the bathroom.

[jlafrenz]

Dec 23, 2012 17:59:49 GMT -5 arthurz said:

I wonder if I just went off the deep end...

You did, but there are already plenty of us down here to catch you. ;D

[Dark Ranger]

If you want to do it, go for it! It's not a crazy idea, really. There are many folks out there with whole-house systems including in the bathroom.

Either of the two approaches would work for this application. The spare channel on the XPA-5 is perfect and you don't have to buy another amp. The speaker will have a greater impact on the SQ than "upgrading" to the mini-X. That said, the mini-X could offer better convenience than an inline volume control.

Dec 23, 2012 21:25:12 GMT -5 garbulky said:

You will be having a house party in the bathroom.

Suddenly, singing in the shower doesn't seem like such a bad idea!

I set fiiiiiire...to the raaaaain! /Adele

[ÈlTwo]

I'd only worry about the humidity and its effect on the speakers.

[traider79]

I would say use the XPA-5's extra channel

[jlafrenz]

There are a few other things to consider when doing this. Do you have your speaker wire run planned out from the XPA-5? Is there an opportunity to drop that wire down a wall before going to the speakers? If so, I would recommend an in-wall volume control as it will be more convenient and look much cleaner.

Will the speakers be set up as zone 2? You would have to combine the left and right channels into one. If not, then you would possibly be missing some of the information.

[arthurz]

Dec 24, 2012 14:04:44 GMT -5 jlafrenz said:

There are a few other things to consider when doing this. Do you have your speaker wire run planned out from the XPA-5? Is there an opportunity to drop that wire down a wall before going to the speakers? If so, I would recommend an in-wall volume control as it will be more convenient and look much cleaner.

The speaker wires haven't been installed yet, so I could do an in-wall volume control, but I can't find anything that can handle more than 100 W. Should that be a concern? It would definitely be a nice touch.

Dec 24, 2012 14:04:44 GMT -5 jlafrenz said:

Will the speakers be set up as zone 2? You would have to combine the left and right channels into one. If not, then you would possibly be missing some of the information.

I will not have a preamp – just an Airport Express. Originally I was thinking about an in-line volume control (the one I linked in the original post), but that could be replaced by your in-wall idea. In any case, I'm planning on installing a proper resistor based stereo-mono converter.

Cheers,
Arthur