Thanks for the heads up. I realise that too. As I only need the capabilities only during weekends or events, I just have to change the layout when needed. No biggie just a pair of cables.

Ya my next consideration is to use what speakers for where. Right now my setup is a little front heavy due to my room size speaker placement and seating position.

I have been busy optimizing my system after adding an external amp, moving to 7.1.4 setup. I'm so glad that I got myself a multi-channel amp as this have opened up my setup and listening options greatly.

So with some time today I decided to visit my multi-zone options. Here's what I found out.



I have always wondered why there is a picture of a zone in the amp assign but without then speaker icon in it. If you try to read the manual, you might get confused as I did.

Basically what the setup page is saying for 9ch+FRONT is
- 9 channels is being driven by the amp
- C, SL, SR, SBL, SBR (5ch) driven by fixed amp channels (denoted by speakers without color outline)
- FPL, FPR, RPL, RPR (4ch) driven by assignable amp channels EXTRA SP1 and EXTRA SP2 (denoted by green and orange outline)
- +FRONT (2ch) is being driven by external amp (denoted by red outline)

So far so good. But what is the Zone2 picture doing there? No speakers? But why? That's because IT IS for the zone pre-outs. In this case it is for Zone2.



At the back panel, you'll see 2 pairs of RCA labeled ZONE OUT/PRE OUT, one pair for ZONE2/F.PRESENCE and the other ZONE3/R.PRESENCE.

Now when you have a power amp assign where the zone graphic(s) in the setup shows a zone WITHOUT speakers, this means that pre-out is active for its use.

This means I keep all the 11 speakers and 2 zone pre -outs connected (and their respective speakers) connected. I can use 11 main channels and 1 zone simultaneusly or choose Basic/7ch+FRONT+1ZONE assignment (sacrifice R.PRNS) and have 9 main channels and 2 zones simultaneusly. If you want ATMOS, Basic would be better since you'll lose SB instead of RP.

I hope with this understanding, it will be much easier to setup the amp compared to reading the freaking manual that forces you to jump all over several sections with cryptic footnotes to boot.

Yes I have tested it and it works for me. . I'm using 9ch+FRONT. Zone2 by pre-out.

This post has been edited by teop: Jan 2 2018, 03:00 PM

Yeah the manual is shitty. If you look at mine, you would assume that multi-zone is not available.



That is why you should look at the AVR Setup amp assignment setup GUI screen to confirm. If the zone graphics is present without the speaker, then that zone's pre-out is available. Much easier to understand looking from there.

Looking at the A3060 manual, 7.2.4+FP+RP setup notes says that Zone2 and Zone3 pre-out will not will not be available. But then for 7.2.4+Front, ONLY Zone3 is not available. This implies Zone2 pre-out is available!!!



You definitely check out the GUI if you are interested.

You can save a bundle if you don't need the latest tech by buying a 2nd hand receiver or older model during clearance sale. AVR obsolete very fast in the coming years but speakers don't.