Marantz VR6001 and ZC4001: multi-room audio over electrical wiring

Marantz has a new solution for audio distribution in the home: use the power lines. Yeah, ok, RadioShack has been carrying a range of questionable HomePlug 1.0 solutions for years but this is Marantz dambit, and it's proprietary so it must be good...right? Their solution dubbed DAvED (Digital Audio via Electrical Distribution) will rollout this March in a $1,300 system which combines their new 7-channel ZR6001 audio-video receiver (pictured) with a ZC4001 remote speaker client. The 90 watt/channel ZR6001 can handle up to six DAvED clients, will switch high-definition video and is capable of pumping out 7.1 Dolby Digital/DTS. The ZC4001 client can be dropped anyplace you have power and features two speakers, an aux-input (for MP3 players and such), virtual surround, and a display which apparently only shows the source, not track info. Ok Marantz, we get it, why go HomePlug AV which should be hitting the streets about the same time when you can lock us into your components for life.

[Dissent @ Feb 9th 2006 1:09PM]

*yawn*

[SK @ Feb 9th 2006 1:16PM]

I love the idea of this because I have Sirius and don't want to buy another unit and pay more per month just to have another reciever. Is there another alternative, besides HompePlug andrunning speaker wire into my bathroom, to this?

[Justin @ Feb 9th 2006 1:33PM]

I agree with Dissent on this one - this is pretty unexciting. I'll take full home integration using 802.11g/n instead.

[Gratis Flirt @ Feb 9th 2006 2:01PM]

I must say that i am very surprised that Maratz is going this innovative way. I for am tied of the cables everywhere...

[Russ @ Feb 9th 2006 3:23PM]

While this is just audio over power lines, as a Marantz dealer this is nice for custom installation in existing homes. Generally the Denon side of D&M gets all the innovation.

[Joshua Hockenberry @ Feb 13th 2006 11:41AM]

I am a Marantz dealer as well. This could be a good solutions product but then again it may be more trouble than it is worth. We run wires, thats where we make money. This seams more for those people who want to do it themselves. Damn them!

[Andrew Pantoja @ Feb 13th 2006 2:58PM]

Okay, I'm really excited. This looks awesome. It will totally get rid of the clutter. Yup, most definitely.

[Michael Martin @ Feb 13th 2006 3:54PM]

I've followed Marantz for a while, and this sounds like a buy for me