[Mccrew]

What do you recommend to amplify a HTPC line-out to a distributed audio system? I would like to boost the output.

 

[eugovector]

If you're volume is up in the OS, and you're running the line out to powered AVR, you shouldn't need anything else. What's your setup, AVR, Separates, or Powered speakers?

 

[Mccrew]

It runs out from the HTPC to a Russound CAA66 distribution amp to 6 zones. The main zone in the family room has 4 ceiling speakers. I would like more volume. The issue may be with the distribution amp.

 

[eugovector]

Yeah, you could check that by inserting a different amp into one pair of speakers and see if your volume increases. Also make sure that your in-ceiling speakers are wired to give you proper impedance.

 

[Mccrew]

I directly wired an amp to the speakers (which are parallel wired BTW) and the volume was fine. Apparently the Russound amp output is only 20 watts.

 

[eugovector]

Parts express has inexpensive distribution amps rated for more power, or you could wire the 4 speakers together in a way that give you 6-8 ohms (google "series parallel speaker wiring impedence), and use a pro-amp like the Behringer A500 for more power than you'd ever need.

 

[Mccrew]

Thanks for the Advice!

 

[eugovector]

Sure thing, let us know what you go with.

 

[doctorcilantro]

It runs out from the HTPC to a Russound CAA66 distribution amp to 6 zones. The main zone in the family room has 4 ceiling speakers. I would like more volume. The issue may be with the distribution amp.

What is the front end on the HTPC? Sometimes I use FFDSHOW to normalize.

 

[jmoorez2001]

hiya i would go with a bigger wattage amp there im curently useing a cheep kenwood 2 chaneel amp model KM-207 yes its a 4 channel amp but its also 200 watts per channel as well and i get great sound from it . i also have the pc hooked to a home theater system yamaha RX-v559 6.1 set up and it sounds awsome to me some day ill get enought kenwood amps to power all channesl but some day perhaps

 

[clark17]

What is the front end on the HTPC? Sometimes I use FFDSHOW to normalize.

+1.

I see big difference between using windows classic player MPC-HC (louder/better) vs. XBMC for windows using spdif output to my AVR. BTW I use windows 7 pro 32bit on my HTPC rig.