Audio Systems: Stereo Speakers, distribution amplifiers, sole job

Question
My house has six set of speakers wired to a central point, how can I hook them up to a single stereo output?

Answer
Byron,

One approach to a "whole house" system, one where the same sound comes from all the speakers in each room at the same time, is to use one signal source, say, a receiver with a CD/DVD changer. The "Preamp Out" of that device is connected to the "Preamp In" of one or more "slave" distribution amplifiers, whose sole job is to distribute the signal from the original sound source to their speakers. I say one or more because the number of slave distribution amplifiers depends on how many sets of speakers it's designed to service and how many sets of speakers you're trying to drive.

There are lots of these kinds of amplifiers to choose from. However, you'll need to check with an audio specialty store or a custom installer. The Big Boxes (Best Buy Circuit City, etc.) don't offer that kind of equipment or service.

You're lucky that all the speaker leads are gathered at one location. This will make the location of the receiver/CD/DVD player and the slave distribution amplifiers easy: all in the same place. It also eliminates the need to invade the walls to install the RCA connection between them.

Good luck. And thanks for choosing allexperts.com!

Kindest regards,

Kevin