Expert: Garry S. McLemore - 7/28/2011

Question
Hi,

I want to connect 4 extra pairs of speakers (in other rooms) to a 7.1 system.
Research by this amateur suggests that (since I want to be able to run the other speakers without running the 7.1 speakers) I need another amplifier plus a speaker selector to drive the 4 pairs of other speakers (is that correct?).

I have    
Yamaha HTR-5063BL 7.1 Channel 630 Watt AV Receiver
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003CP0KGY/ref=wms_ohs_product_T2)
connected to Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1 Channel Home Theater Speaker System
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GU78Z4/ref=wms_ohs_product_T2) in a small room,
I am assuming that I can connect the Audio Out RCA jacks on the receiver to some amp to drive the additional 4 pairs of speakers.

I was leaning toward something like this for volume control on each of the four speaker pairs:
Niles SSVC4 4-Zone Speaker Selector With Volume Control, 100 watts per channel RMS; 200 watts peak $225 www.nilesaudio.com
(http://www.amazon.com/Niles-4-Zone-Speaker-Selector-Control/dp/tech-data/B00022L), do you have any better suggestion?

I have no idea how to decide on the amplifier that I need. The four pairs of speakers that I want to connect are 8" Polk Audio RC60i (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006BMQT/ref=wms_ohs_product_T2, 8 ohms, peak power is 100 watts, in the ceiling of rooms in my house that are under 160 square feet) using 12 ga wire.
Occasionally I will want to crank it up but mostly it will be used at low to moderate listening levels.
Assuming that I want to max out the power rating of the selector, what is the best "bang for buck" amp that generates 200 watt/channel peak power?

I assume that the volume control on the receiver will not control the volume on the four pairs of speakers so I would like a volume control on the amp.

I would greatly appreciate advice:
- how to size the amp and perhaps even a suggestion for a specific one (under $500, preferably under $300
- whether you have a better idea for the speaker selector

Answer
you are going to have to use a variable output on your main receiver such as pre amp out into a small mixer so you can drive your main amp and your remote amp/s and have control of both. your signal line will be; main stereo pre out to mixer with 2 buses, mixer outs to main amp main in and also from mixer to input of remote amp. no spkr switch is needed this way and you have full control of both separate or together, just set your mixers sliders where you prefer. partsexpress.com is a source for all you need. also, 100 watts/channel is plenty, especially if you have efficeint speakers..(94 db/w or more. bose spkrs are not very efficient, so they need alot more watts to get a good volume level. i've got jbl's and love them...