Cat5 Amplifier to replace Systemline

[fishta]

Hi guys,

I have a client that currently has a Systemline setup in their home and let's just say I wouldn't have chosen to have put this kind of system in! The problem is, the house is very finished and the client is happy to replace the Systemline for something that will work.

The problem is however that there is no speaker cable's between the main AV location and the speakers because they are part of the Systemline modular.

We want to put in either a Control4 or Crestron system and the client is also happy to replace the speakers but what we need is almost like an HD Matrix which sends line level audio over the Cat5 and then the balun has an amplifier built in that outputs to the ceiling speakers.

Has anyone got any bright ideas of knowledge of particular products that can make this nightmare system one that works?

Thanks in advance

 

[101music]

Yeah, that's a bummer. We've done a few Systemline modular upgrades in the past and just left the Systemline in and stuck a Sonos ZP90 at the other end as a source. Worked out quite well in the end.
If you have power and space up in the ceilings perhaps an amp up there and use the Cat5 for L+R audio from a central matrix?

 

[fishta]

Thats a good idea to put Sonos ZP120's in, if we can get the electrician to put power in, which he might be able to do.

If not do you know of any cat5 based audio matrix to save on the clutter in the rack?

 

[101music]

BIPad8?

 

[cjwood555]

Netstreams!

Digital audio and control over ethernet. Amplifier/receiver modules with power over ethernet.

RGB are the current distributor

Chris

 

[fishta]

I had forgotten about the BIPAD8! Been a long time since we've used one. Typically we use Autopatch with Rotel Amps.

As for the Netstreams, this is what we have discovered but we have not used it before and not exactly sure what products are required etc, will give RGB a call later.

Thanks

 

[vex]

Happy to help out with Netstreams if you want. Although it does still need power.

This can be either local to the in-room amp or remote in the rack and over some 16/2 or 16/4 depending on the hardware used.

HTH

V.

 

[cjwood555]

Happy to help out with Netstreams if you want. Although it does still need power.

This can be either local to the in-room amp or remote in the rack and over some 16/2 or 16/4 depending on the hardware used.

HTH

V.

Given that netstreams is IP, surely you could use (possibly custom) POE Splitters to put their ~28V onto the CAT5/6? CAT5 is rated 36W over one pair, CAT6 is often a larger conductor so should be slightly higher.

The rating of the PL600 is 4.5A at 28V so 126W. Typical audio duty cycle of 50% = 63W so fine over 2 pairs.

Would depend on the power supply design of the speakerlinx modules though and you'd expect a relatively significant voltage drop on a long run!

(Asking as I haven't used it yet and was hoping this would be ok)
Chris

 

[Joe Fernand]

The NeoPro Eureka+ gives you an 8x16 Audio Matrix over CAT5 with the Hornet In-room Rx units powered by the Matrix.

The Matrix is fully compatible with Control4 (and all other Control gear) and includes an audio pre amp section with Volume, Bass, and Treble for each output.

NeoPro® - Professional Grade Video Products for Custom Electronics Designers and Installers

Joe

 

[Ian932]

Systemline speakers have their own amp built in and I'm sure they have the ability to run local line level, so I would think you could stick a ZP90 in the AV rack and push line level out to them from the Sonos, You would need to still send the power to the speakers using the Systemline PSU units.

If the installer was any good he should have run a backup CAT5 to the powered speaker, if so it makes it a lot easier to keep the low voltage and line level separated.

I would be careful putting Sonos in a ceiling void they run hot and need a decent amount of cooling space. If it’s new build then there is likely to be loads of fibreglass up there for building regs (sound deadening)

 

[cjwood555]

They do indeed have a local in, but you'll need the spare cables to make it work. It's also balanced so you'll need e.g. Aussie Monitor Get-UP to do the conversion. Transformers really don't cut it.

Chris