Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Bought this three years ago. Within six months a channel burned out, I didn’t do anything because I’m only using five channels. A year later a second channel burned out, but still didn’t say anything because one of the channels I barely use. I use in an almost daily basis and didn’t want to send back for under warranty because I’d miss it. Now, three years later a third channel burned out. That’s three of the six channels have burned out. Do not buy. Here's how I set up a whole home system on a budget ($1,546, including the Dayton Audio MA1240a) that sounds great, is aesthetically pleasing (high-end home worthy) and can Airplay from a Mac (or any computer with iTunes), iPads, and/or iPhones to all six rooms (six different zones/ 12 speakers). Each zone can play from a different source (iPhones, IPads, computer, iPod Touch) and can be volume controlled independently or you can play to one, some, or all your rooms (zones) from one source at the same time. Update: Tried switching to an Amazon Echo Dot system to drive Amplifier, if you want to learn what I've learned about that scroll all the way to the bottom. But first, about the amp itself: Sound quality of the Dayton Audio MA1240a is comparable to my mid-level 7.2 surround sound Yamaha receiver (I know this because I'm using the same speakers) and the DaytonAudio MA1240a has more volume than you will ever need to drive 8-inch ceiling speakers or lower (each zone has two volume buttons on the back, one for the left and one for the right speaker, the volume is set to the midpoint out of the box. In fact. I've actually had to turn the master volume down below half on each, otherwise they are too loud when the volume is maxed on iTunes, IMO). At first I hated the (phoenix style) speaker wire connectors on the back of the amp. It took me forever to figure out the trick to them. The little green connectors actually pop off (gently pull out on one). On top of each green connector there are a couple tiny flat-head screws (which require a tiny flat-head screwdriver). Pop off connecter, insert speaker wire, screw tightly and presto, your speaker wire(s) will never come out! Love these things now. Auto-on/off works beautifully. As soon as I Airplay to a device connected to the amp it goes on. Once I've paused or stop playing a song, it will automatically turn off (go into stand-by mode) about 15 minutes later. Looks and fits great in a standard 19-inch server cabinet (just make sure it's at least 15 inches deep, as the amp is 14 inches deep). It's pretty heavy, so if you rack mount it you might want to get some side support rails. The cabinet I used came with themNavepoint 9U Deluxe IT Wallmount Cabinet Enclosure 19-Inch Server Network Rack With Locking Glass Door 16-Inches Deep Black. The photo(s) below doesn't give it justice. Some reviews say the amp gets hot. I have a temperature gauge in my server cabinet. The difference in temperature when it is on vs. off is minimal, but then again I have it in the rack at the highest level next to two fans that take hot air out. Like all electronic equipment, you want to keep it in a place that is 85 degrees (F) or lower (I have passively vented my coat closet and so far it seems to do the trick). The fun stuff: I put two speakers each in the kitchen, dining room, master bedroom, master bathroom, an extra bedroom, and the patio. For the kitchen, dining room, master bedroom, and extra bedroom I went with the eight inch Polk Audio RC80i 2-way ceiling speakers Polk Audio RC80i 2-Way In-Ceiling/In-Wall Speakers (Pair, White)found on Amazon (as are all of these items) for $149.99 a pair. In the master bathroom I went with a pair of the six inch Polk Audio RC60i(s) 2-way ceiling speakers Polk Audio RC60i 2-Way In-Ceiling Speakers (Pair, White)(usually around $99 a pair). For the patio I went with the Polk Audio Atrium 4 outdoor speakers at $111 a pairPolk Audio Atrium 4 Outdoor Speakers (Pair, Black)* *Normal prices found on Amazon. Occasionally they (the speakers) will be lower. Best I've seen: 8 inch $122.99 (rare), $139.99 (not rare), 6 inch $87.99, outdoor $89.99. I have yet to see the price differ on the amp. After reading some of the reviews for this amp, most people who are setting up a system the same way used the Airport Express as their Airplay source. Those usually run around $100 a piece. I found a way to do the exact same thing for $39.99 each. This device by Audiocast ANEWISH Wireless Wifi Audio Receiver DLNA Aiplay Wifi Music Adapter Streams Wireless Audio & Music to Speaker System Over Wi-Fi Network From Mobile Devicedoes everything you need. It has mini output like the Airport Express. It lets you name each location (dining room, kitchen, ect) and shows up as an Airplay Device in iTunes and on your iPhone and iPads. All you have to do is download the Audiocast app on one of your iPhones or iPads, which will takes you through how to hook them up to your wifi network. Name them (there's even a custom name option) and you are done with that app. Note. As others have mentioned, controlling the volume from the amp itself is not really an option (or impossible if you have it mounted in a rack like I do) because they are small little buttons on the back, however using Airplay you can control the volume from your iPhone, iPad or computer (to each Airplay device). To have all zones play independently, you would need to have six Airplay devices, either the Audiocast Airplay device (the route I chose) or Apple Airport Express'. You don't really have to have six Airplay devices if a couple of zones are close together. If your kitchen and dining room are next to each other, for example, you are not going to be playing two different songs at the same time in those zones. The amp has BUS 1 and BUS 2 on the back so you can use the same source (Airplay device) to both rooms (zones) or more. All you have to do plug your Airplay device into BUS 1 or BUS 2 on the back of the amp and toggle the corresponding zone switch to the same BUS. If you do it this way and use one Airplay device for two zones (or more applies) just know that adjusting the volume from iTunes, an iPad, or iPhone will adjust the volume to both rooms. Both rooms (zones) will either be on or off as if they were one (in other words, you won't be able to play to just the kitchen, the dining room will have to be on too). If you Airplay from your Music on your iPad or iPhone you can only play to one Airplay device at a time (iTunes on your computer lets you choose one, some, or all). However, there's a FREE app simply called "remote" that you can download to your iPhone and iPads that will let you choose to play to one, some, or are all of your Airplay devices at the same time. Search for "iTunes remote" in the app store. The only negative about using the app is you can't use the volume buttons on the side of your iPhone or iPad. You have to open the app to adjust volume. And you can't skip to the next song from the home screen on your iPhone (again, you must open the app). If you are installing speakers in a small bathroom, I'd recommend a single (stereo speaker) instead of two 6s Polk Audio RC6s In-Ceiling Stereo Speaker (Single, White) Note: you can go up or down on the price of ceiling speakers. I haven't tried any others in home, so I don't know how they compare to the Polks, but the Polks sound good, look good, and are super easy to install, IMO (they come with a cut out template). I chose the Polks based off of the great reviews (I concur) and the price point (I have not been paid by Polk, received a discount or anything, I wish). I also like the fact that you can aim the tweeter on them. Of course, like any small speakers you are not going to get thumping bass without a subwoofer. This set up is for whole home audio, to have on while entertaining or doing stuff around the house, etc. not audiophile listening (though laying down in the master bedroom and listening to music from this amp to the two 8-inch Polk ceiling speakers is still a good experience). I would recommend a separate 7.2 receiver for surround sound in your main media room or viewing area (even if you are doing just 5.1 surround sound, because all of the quality amps are now 7.2). This will (inherently) let you hook up a subwoofer (or two). My media room is my living room and is hooked up to an AppleTV (which you can also Airplay to). Dayton 12- channel amplifier $495 4 pairs of Polk Audio 8 inch ceiling speakers $600 1 pair of Polk Audio 6 inch speakers $100 1 pair of Polk Audio outdoor speakers $111 6 Audiocast Airplay devices $240 Total: $1,546** **This does not include tax, speaker wire, and sales (I went with 14 gauge, which is probably overkill, 16 gauge is fine. Just make sure it is CL2 rated for in-wall use. 12 gauge speaker wire or lower will not fit in this amp. Waiting for the speakers to go on sale it could be potentially done for less, see above). You will also need a mini to RCA jack (about $8 a piece) Mediabridge 3.5mm Male to 2-Male RCA Adapter (6 Feet) - Step Down Design - (Part# MPC-35-2XRCA-6 )for each Airplay device to go from your Airplay device to the amplifier. I also have added a server rack cabinet, some nice wall plates Moonrise 103326 Banana Binding Post Two-Piece Inset Coupler Wall Plate for 4 Speakers and banana plugs (these are awesome) and turned a coat closet into a media closet. Mediabridge Banana Plugs - Corrosion-Resistant 24K Gold-Plated Connectors - 12 Pair/24 Banana Plugs (Part# SPC-BP2-12 ) Note: The banana plugs are for the wall only. This amp uses phoenix style connectors Putting in ceiling speakers is a little messy (ok, a lot messy, you'll get drywall dust everywhere), but easy (as long as you use a stud finder to find the joists, know which way the joists are running, use a jab sawStanley 20-556 6-Inch FatMax Jab Saw, and you have attic space to work in). Doing it this way is also heck of a lot less expensive than Sonos, looks better, will add more value to your home, and is more future proof (unlike video or amps that run video through them, I don't see this amp needing to be replaced for a long long time). The only thing I didn't do myself is install a new receptacle (outlet) in my coat/media closet (hired an electrician to do that). I'm only somewhat handy, so I'm sure if you followed this all the way down to here you can do it too. The whole project takes time. I didn't do it all at once, but is a deeply satisfying experience and doing it yourself will save you possibly a couple thousand dollars versus hiring a contractor. Next project, finish running Cat6 everywhere. Tip on running speaker wire and other cables in the wall and up into the attic: If you already have an existing coax cable for your cable or satellite dish in the same location, use it as an elevator of sorts. Unhook your coax cable and tie a string (small rope), that is 1.5 times the height of your wall, to the bottom of the coax cable. Tape the speaker wire/cable to the bottom of your coax cable you want to pull up. Pull up coax from attic. Undo taped speaker wire/cable then run downstairs and pull string to pull coax cable back down. Repeat. I found this100 times easier than using one of those wire fish tape things. Note: this may require drilling a larger hole (or two) in attic. Good luck! :). ••• About using Amazon Echo Dots to drive amplifier. I've recently started turning my home into a smart home and have fallen in love with having Amazon's Alexa do things, using groups and routines with a command like "Alexa, turn off everything." I'm now able to turn on my projector, lower the screen, turn off the TV and turn off the lights all at the same time by just saying "Alexa, turn on Projector," set up using Alexa's "routines" in the Alexa app. I have a few Dots throughout the house and love that I can tell Alexa to play a particular song or playlist of music a lot better than scrolling through my phone, iPad, or computer to do it. Amazon Echo(s) can now play to multiple rooms (to set up go to settings in Alexa app>Multi-Room Music). If you have six rooms you could get six Echo Dots and six mini to RCA Y jacks and plug them into each zone of this amp, name each Dot after the room the speakers are in (kitchen, living room, etc). You can use any other Echo to control the others. So if you are in the master bedroom, for example, and you say to the Dot in the master bedroom, "Alexa, play country music in master bedroom," that Dot will tell the Dot to named "master bedroom" connected to the amp to play and it will play on the speakers hooked up to the amplifier. DO NOT>>>> name the actual Dot that's in the master bedroom, master bedroom. Using Echo Dots for your multi-room audio does have (at this time) have one major limitation. You can only put your Echos in one group for multi-room audio. So, you can play to each room individually or you can play to all of them, but you can not play to some of them. You could do an upstairs group and a downstairs group, but you can't do a whole house/everywhere group if you set it up this way. So, if you want to play to just kitchen and dining room you are out of luck. It's either one or all. But having Alexa skip to the next song using your voice is pretty darn cool. Apple is way behind in this regard. Airplay or Airplay 2 will not let you play to multiple Apple Airport Expresses using your voice, as it stands, unfortunately.. Conclusion: After using Amazon Echo Dots to control home audio, I found the functionality awesome, "Alexa, play my alternative playlist in Kitchen"... "Alexa, turn down volume in Master".... "Alexa, skip song Everywhere." All worked Better than expected, however (and it's a big however) the Echo's built in DAC is barely adequate, thus the sound quaility is severely lacking, oh well. 😞 Update: settled into using Google Assitant(s) for in the rooms in the house and Chromecast Audio(s) behind the amplifier. The good news is that it sounds noticeably better than using Echo Dots. The bad news, Google stopped making the Chromecast Audio.