The benefits of a 'Basic' Digital Audio Distribution Systems over an Analog system are greater convenience and ease of use; from any keypad, with the touch of a button, any of the sources can be independently selected and played through that zone's speakers, without interfering with the audio program playing in an other room. In addition to being able to select from multiple independent sources from each zone, any source can be played in any number of zones simultaneously.

However, the ability to remotely control the actual source components is limited to the use of a handheld remote control unit of some kind, whether it's the source component's original remote, the digital controller unit's remote*, or some other universal remote; the keypads and digital controller cannot themselves directly control the source components. Source component control from any given zone is made possible buy the ability of that zone's keypad to pick-up handheld Infrared remote control signals and forward them to the source components through the digital controller unit via their existing link. *(PLEASE NOTE: Most if not all of these systems include one (1) Universal Remote capable of controlling the same number of sources that the controller unit has source input connections for, but you still need to carry it around and avoid loosing it.)

One limitation of these systems is the somewhat inconvenient method required to control the source equipment from a zone. Another is that each controller has a fixed number of source input and zone output connections. The number of sources and zones in these set-ups is restricted by the actual model used; some models allow the number of zones to be increased by adding another controller unit and the accompanying keypads, however few systems allow for the addition of more source input connections. The biggest drawback is the fixed numbers of outputs, i.e. if your model has 6 zones, you may be able to add 6, 12 or even 18 or more Zones by adding more controller units, but you can't add just 1, and since controllers start at around $1500, adding a second controller just for one more zone is somewhat cost prohibitive. Additionally, unlike Analog set-ups, adding another controller will not increase the power of any one single zone, it will only add zones; for each zone where additional power is wanted, an additional amplifier will be required.

When designing a Complete Digital Distribution System many factors need to be considered; the size and number of rooms, the number of speakers per room and the desired overall performance level of the system to name a few. Feel free to contact us at any time by clicking the link at the top of the page so that we may assist you in designing the most appropriate package for your need and budget. 

'Basic' 4-room 4-source systems start at under $3600 and include pre-wire, 1 digital controller, 4 keypads, 4 pairs of 5" 90 Watt in-ceiling speakers, complete installation of all of the above and hook-up to your source components, contact us at the link above for complete details.  

To view our complete Price List or to Contact Us at any time, click the Info link at the top of the page.