Two stereo zones off a XPA-1

[rdavidw]

I am trying to come up with the simplest way to run two stereo zones off of a XMC-1 Gen1.  I am using the XMC-1 in a 5.1 set-up and want to be able to run a pair of Polk Atrium 8 on my screened porch and another set of Polk Atrium 8s on a patio.  Want to be able to play both the porch and patio at the same time or just one or the other.  To keep it simple as I can, I would like to only play only one source at at time (whatever the XMC-1 is set to).  I would like to set up a remote control eye on the deck and patio so the volume and be controlled on the zones and they can be turned on and off from outside.  It's new construction so the wiring is not a problem.

 I will likely also run an buried outdoor sub on the patio and an outdoor TV.  I wonder if it would make more sense to just run some powered outdoor speakers off of the outdoor TV and skip the sub on the patio.  Any easy way to hook up a Ipod or something like that to that separate setup?

For the porch, the little A-100 came to mind but I would like to have a remote out there.  Does the XMC-1 have a stereo output that will convert from 5.1 signal on the main system?  If so, could I just run that to the input of perhaps a TA-100?  The main system plays mostly TV, PC and Vinyl and the porch is just off the main system.  I don't think the TA-100 has a remote input but I could tape a repeater eye to it.   Does the PT-100 have a speaker A/B option from the remote?

I have some very non-technical people in the house and want to keep it as simple as deck on/off and deck volume up/down.  I believe the XMC-1 as a multi-zone feature.  Could I get something like the A-150 and the wire an eye from the deck to the XMC-1 and program a remote to just toggle the multi-zone on/off and control just the multi-zone volume?  If I wanted to run two multi-zones could I get two A-150s and use the XMC-1 to trigger them on/off for speakers a/b?  I don't need separate volume levels for the porch and patio.

Thank you for any ideas!

[pknaz]

When you say XPA-1, do you mean XMC-1?

[rdavidw]

Oct 17, 2017 15:03:29 GMT -5 pknaz said:

When you say XPA-1, do you mean XMC-1?

Thanks pknaz - I fixed it.

[KeithL]

A few thoughts on the subject.....

First, yes, the XMC-1 has two "zone outputs".
The Zone 1 output is a stereo mixed-down version of whatever is playing in the main zone.
The Zone 2 output is a separate zone output, also stereo, which has its own volume control and input selection.

The real question, as I see it, is how much you want to go into "automation" and how much you want to simplify things.....

You mentioned the possibility of putting powered monitors in one or both locations...
So I assume both locations are somewhat protected from the weather and have power available...

Here's what I would do......
Put a BasX A-100 in each of your locations - attached to the pair of speakers of your choice.
Connect both to one of the Zone outputs on the XMC-1.
I'd probably connect both to the Zone 2 output through a splitter.
Now you have both areas being fed by the same stereo signal.

Since each A-100 has its own power switch and its own volume control, you can turn each on and off, and control the volume of each, independently.
All locally, with no fancy remote control setup and no extra wires.

If you want to, you could connect them to Zone 2, and use an IR repeater from your remote locations to the XMC-1.
(Then you will be able to select the input that feeds both remote locations through the Zone 2 output.)


Keith

[rdavidw]

KeithL - That is very helpful, thank you so much!

I forgot to pull out my XMC-1 remote and see it already has what I want. (I use a Logtech Harmony remote). Here is what I am thinking, wire all four outdoor speakers to the main system. Get a pair of A-150s and hook them up to the XMC-1 Zone 2 outputs on a spliter.   Also wire two ir repeaters from both locations to the XMC-1.  I can leave the XMC-1 remote on the covered screen porch or in the covered outdoor bar on the lower patio.   Can I get a trigger wire splitter?  I want it so when the Zone 2 is turned on both amps trigger on.  I can then turn off one of them.  If I use the trigger out from one to the other would that turn off both if I just want to turn off one?

For the Zone 2 on the XMC-1 remote, will that always turn on with the last Zone 2 input selection? Will hitting the Zone 2 Input button scroll through the XMC-1 front panel presets but just for zone 2? Is one of the input selections Main Zone? Will the Zone 2 volume operate independently of the main zone and power on at the same volume it was last set at?

I would guess I have about 50' to wire from the speakers to the amp. Is that going to be a problem for the sound or for the wired ir eye? Any recommendations on wire? Where do I get the eye to extend the remote on the XMC-1? I didn't see one in the Emotiva accessories.

Thank you again - super helpful. I have been extremely happy with all of my Emotiva products and recommend them often.

[rdavidw]

From the XMC-1 Manual:
"18. Zone 2 Input Button
Use the Zone 2 Input button to cycle between the available inputs for Zone 2.
Note: On the XMC-1, the Zone 2 input is selected independently from the main zone. ANY input
that is currently selected as the Main Zone Input can also be selected as the Zone 2 Input. If you
wish to set the Zone 2 Input to a different source than the main zone, you will be able to select
both ANALOG sources and 2 CHANNEL PCM DIGITAL SOURCES. You will NOT be able to select a
different digital surround sound or HDMI source for the Zone 2 Input that is different than what
is playing in the Main Zone."

My XMC-1 has the following sources:
1. TV - HDMI for audio & video
2. Phono - RCA
3. PC - USB for audio & HDMI for video
4. Playstation - HDMI for audio & video

So I am understanding the manual, no matter what the main zone is set to, if zone 2 is set to the same source the main zone will remain unaffected and zone 2 will play a stereo down-mix of that source. If I have my Zone 2 set to a non-multi channel source such as phono, the main zone will remain unaffected. Does the Zone 2 selection ever limit or alter the main zone?

Lets say I am playing the TV in 5.1 in the main zone and power on the zone 2. Will the input button just toggle between TV and Phono? If I have TV on both the main and Zone 2 and then someone switches the main to PC, will the zone 2 then automatically switch over to PC as well?

I currently have my tube phono preamp and table on a switch from the XCM-1. If I have the TV on the main zone and then power on zone 2 and select phono will it turn on that switch?

Thanks again!

[AudioHTIT]

I always have my Zone 2 set to ‘Follow Main”, that way any source will play to Zone 2, (and I never want it to be different). If you set it to anything else, you won’t be able to send HDMI to the Zones, but you can send different signals to Main and Zone 2. Zone 2 never affects Main, but if set to ‘Follow’, Main affects Zone 2, otherwise they are independent.

You can also use the XMC-1 App to control the output to Zone 2, and hence the volume. My Zone amp has limited remote capabilities and I find the XMC-1 App handy for Zone volume (and you can even switch inputs with it).