1. They are, but you are spending a fortune on Phantom IIs, so why not go the extra mile if you can afford it?
2. An unmanaged 16 port network switch costs about €50. Synchronization of all the speakers without wired ethernet could be a problem regardless of what signal chain you choose, so I would recommend to wire the speakers.
3. You would, but you could go the optical route instead with an AVR with pre out as you suggest. Good analogue to digital converters are getting cheaper, just take a look at miniDSP PocketADC. Its €55 a piece, and if you pair the speakers one will be enough for two channels. That will reduce the cable clutter too, only one speaker per pair needs wired optical input signal. A bonus; you are getting rid of the long unbalanced signal cables that probably will pick up some noise on the way and make the speakers buzz constantly.
You will find my "low" cost Phantom surround solution in my thread, link is in my signature.
2. An unmanaged 16 port network switch costs about €50. Synchronization of all the speakers without wired ethernet could be a problem regardless of what signal chain you choose, so I would recommend to wire the speakers.
3. You would, but you could go the optical route instead with an AVR with pre out as you suggest. Good analogue to digital converters are getting cheaper, just take a look at miniDSP PocketADC. Its €55 a piece, and if you pair the speakers one will be enough for two channels. That will reduce the cable clutter too, only one speaker per pair needs wired optical input signal. A bonus; you are getting rid of the long unbalanced signal cables that probably will pick up some noise on the way and make the speakers buzz constantly.
You will find my "low" cost Phantom surround solution in my thread, link is in my signature.
Living room: Sigberg Audio Manta/10D subs, MiniDSP SHD.
Den: Tannoy Precision 8 iDP/TS112 iDP sub, MiniDSP SHD Studio.
In the cupboard: Some bits and pieces of a Phantom Silver 1. gen.
My Phantom Voyage
Den: Tannoy Precision 8 iDP/TS112 iDP sub, MiniDSP SHD Studio.
In the cupboard: Some bits and pieces of a Phantom Silver 1. gen.
My Phantom Voyage
