I would look for a couple of used receivers that allow two pairs of speakers to be run simultaneously. YOu should be able to find them pretty cheap because you can use stereo or obsolete surrround receivers. You can come right out of your sound card to a line in like an AUX on the units. It would give you independent control of the two rooms as well.

 

I completely agree with Leonard on this. There may be a way to connect your computer to an amp, depending on how your computer is configured, but it may not be the best idea.
A used receiver with an "A" and "B" speaker bus should be able to connect to your computer and speakers even if only using the mini 1/8" headphone jack out of the computer. It may not sound the best but it would work, so yes a decent used receiver would be golden.

 

I used to use this sound card... http://www.ebay.com/itm/M-Audio-Del...1010LT-Sound-Card-/201021927658?pt=US_Sound_Cards_Internal_&hash=item2ecdd730ea and had it hooked up to a multi channel amp. I used JRiver on my PC. With JRiver you can assign the different channels to different zones and you can run multiple instances at the same time.

You could get a couple of chip amps to power the speakers... Something like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/111257466986?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 .

 

Hi Cally, as Leonard suggested, any stereo receiver/amp with A/B speaker capability will work, as will just about any HT receiver with a multichannel input or assignable channels.
Not sure what your budget is, but something like this is around $100

cheers

 

Maybe something like this ??
http://www.parts-express.com/lepai-...-lp-2020a-tripath-class-t-hi-fi-audio-mini-amplifier-with-power-supply--310-300

 

I think those are way too underpowered to do much. I have a couple around the house and unless the speakers are very sensitive, they cannot put out much oomph. AJ is right, a receiver would do.

 

I have seen the chip amps on eBay with as much as 100wpc.

 

100 wpc into 8 ohms should be enough, but he also needs to power more than one room, so it will need the ability to power speaker "A" and/or speaker "B" like one of these from our sponsor.

 

I've used Parasound Z Amps to power ceiling speakers off my PC before. Had three rooms with ceiling speakers in vacation home and used one of these amps per pair of speakers for a total of three amps. They are small, relatively inexpensive, and rack mountable.

http://www.parasound.com/ParasoundZ/zampv3.php

 

Note that he is using 8 speakers. To much for one amp in most cases.

 

Hmm, I missed that. I interpreted "8 wires" as 4 speakers. One pair per ceiling.

cheers

 

what audio output jacks are there on the back of your PC? i.e HDMI. SPDIF or just the 3.5mm jack

 

I took it as 4 speakers too.

 

Me as well

Very basic: I have 2 sets of speakers in 2 different ceilings in my house.

It did sound like 2 sets of speakers, one set in each room, I am sorry for the confusion and possible misinformation.

If 8 speakers are involved something like a Niles amp may work better as you can buy amps with many channels for whole house.

 

http://www.htd.com/Products/multi-channel-amplifiers/DMA-1240

 

Maybe I am the one that read it wrong. callyB can you clarify? You have a lot of experience trying to help you and we need to understand the situation clearly to give good advice.

 

I read it as 4 speakers total. Also, if the ability to turn one set on with the other off isn't important, a simple amp might be all that's required. What speakers are you using? Do you know the Ohm rating?

 

Post deleted because it was not applicable to this thread.

 

From the Apple TV thread.

The Apple TV only has one optical out. If he is to control 2 zones then independent volume controls are a must ??

 

You know what, I reposted in the wrong thread.
That converter has no place here.
I will see if I can delete that when I get home.