Multi-Zone Amplifiers

Currently, we have 10 Multi-Zone Amplifiers in our database. Below you can find the list with their main specs and links to their review pages.

A multi-zone amplifier drives four or more independent speaker pairs from one chassis, fed by line-level inputs rather than by HDMI. It is what a whole-house system is built on: one box in a rack instead of four stereo amplifiers, with each zone getting its own source and volume. These are not home theater receivers - there is no surround decoding and usually no video at all - and the per-channel power is modest by hi-fi standards because the job is filling several rooms rather than driving one demanding pair.

Model	Watts RMS (8Ω)	Amp Class	DAC	Phono	Streaming
JBL DA1650	50 watts	Class D	No	No	No Streaming
JBL DA850	50 watts	Class D	No	No	No Streaming
McIntosh MI254	250 watts	Class D	No	No	No Streaming
OSD Nero HTX4150	75 watts	Class AB	No	No	No Streaming
OSD Nero MX1250	25 watts	Class D	No	No	No Streaming
Rotel C8+	100 watts	Class A/B	Yes	No	No Streaming
Russound D1290	45 watts	Class D	No	No	No Streaming
Russound D1675	37 watts	Class D	No	No	No Streaming
Russound D890	45 watts	Class D	No	No	No Streaming
Sonos Amp Multi	125 watts	Class D	Yes	No	Streaming

Multi-Zone Amplifiers - frequently asked questions

What is a Multi-Zone Amplifier?

How much power do these have?

The 10 Multi-Zone Amplifiers listed here run from 25 to 250 watts RMS into 8 ohms, with a median of 50 watts. For most rooms and most speakers the median is already more than enough - doubling the watts buys about 3dB, which is a small step in loudness. Sensitivity and impedance decide more than the number on the box.

What do they cost?

Currently $763 to $6,000, with a median of $1,600. Prices are the current asking price we hold, not a sale price, and they change - check the retailer before deciding.

Which features should I check for?

2 of 10 have a built-in DAC, so a computer, TV or CD transport can connect digitally; 1 also stream over the network.

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