Newbie Bi-amping question

[sollem1]

I want the two rooms in my basement to have speakers. I want to set it up such that the speakers in the back room can be connected to the receiver in the front room (enabled by a speaker selector) in case I want to play a game with audio in both rooms. But I also want the ability to play the speakers in the back room on it’s own receiver in that room in case a TV was showing a different channel. I’m hoping that is possible.

Do I simply need to run wiring from both receivers to each speaker and connect them to separate binding posts? Or can I connect them both to the same posts? What would happen if I had both receivers selected to play from the same speakers?

Thanks for your help...

[cambir]

I would avoid the "duplicate" wiring and find a multi-room receiver for the main room. Then you can connect a second receiver (or amp) in the second room. This should give you the ability to play the same source or different sources in the 2 rooms. I have a similar set-up in my home and it works great.

[sollem1]

I have actually looked into multi-zone receivers. Do you have any recommendations?

Also - I have seen several receivers that connect speakers in Zone 2, some that connect the other receiver in Zone 2 via RCA cables, and others that have a combination.

What is the best way to connect a multi-zone receiver to another receiver in Zone 2? I have to set up in-wall wiring based on this.

Thanks for your help!!

[cambir]

What is "best" depends on a lot of factors, but most important is what works for your situation.

Ideal and best quality is probably get a receiver with a zone 2 pre-out and connect an amp for the zone 2 speakers. Or a Pre/Pro with a couple amps.

The most cost-effective and space-saving is probably to get one receiver that has a "powered" zone 2 speaker section (the ones that power zone 2 off the surround back terminals).

Another option (and what I have currently) is to do 2 receivers (one connected to the zone 2 pre-outs of the other). This may allow you (IMHO) easier control of the seperate rooms, as it does not require you to have both units on if you only want the zone 2 on (as long as you have some duplicate connections set up).

How should you do wiring? Again, depends on your preference. I kept all my components in the main room and only ran speaker wire (keeps the zone 2 a little cleaner-looking). Denon, Harman Kardon, Pioneer Elite and plenty of others are good receiver choices (depending on budget). Amps you'll find a lot of differing opinions - Adcom, Rotel, NAD, Sunfire, Carver, Outlaw etc.