Cable Electronics Labs AV 700 Prograde Composite A/V Distribution Amplifier

This review is about using this device as a "hub" for building a multi-room audio system. I am not using the composite video input or output on this unit, rather I only needed the ability to take audio input from my computer and connect it to multiple amplifier and speaker systems. If you are thinking about building a multi-room audio system and are considering going wireless instead of using a unit like this one requiring you to run cables, I have included some notes at the end of this review about my experience with the wireless options which you might consider before making your decision.I run computer audio into this unit (using a  Belkin Audio Y Cable Splitter 1-Mini Plug/2-RCA Plugs (6ft) ) and then using (up to)  100' Python Dual RCA Premium Stereo Audio Cables  coming out from this unit to attach to  AudioSource AMP-100 2-Channel Bridgeable Stereo Power Amplifier  placed in various rooms throughout our house. Each room gets a set of Energy C-50 speakers connected to the AMP-100 with  Raptor S14-50 50-Feet 14 Gauge Speaker Wire (Clear) . Recently I added  Gyration GYR4101US Air Music Remote  a Gyration Air Music Remote that works from any room in the house, this is nice since it is possible to see all the Windows Media playlists on the remote itself. To reach multiple rooms on another floor from where this unit was located, I ran a single right/left pair of the Python RCA cables from this unit to the second floor and then used the output from the AMP-100 to connect to the next room (and "daisy chained" from that unit to another room.) Using this method, you could connect far more than the 7 connections provided by this unit if you had more rooms (garage, outside speakers, etc.) to connect to...At the time of this writing, you would pay a more for this setup if you purchase all of these components through Amazon (about $100 more per room) however even at that cost such as setup still provides superior components to what a wireless multi-room system and at a lower cost.If you are still thinking about a wireless multi-room audio system instead of running cables:I have worked with several wireless audio systems, including those with remote speakers and also those which use Wi-Fi to connect a remote receiver. Over the course of a couple of years of trial and error, I found several inherent problems with wireless options including range, sound quality, room-to-room delay differences, cut outs, and high cost. I was looking for a way to create a multi-room system which did not suffer from these issues when I found this device; it is now the "heart" of my multi-room audio system. I have found it works very well and suffers from none of the issues I ran into with the wireless systems. My system is also less expensive; I can "add a room" anytime for less than $200, which includes the cost of a nice set of speakers and quality amplifier. Adding rooms at this price point is not possible with the high-cost wireless systems, and (in my opinion) the sound is inferior.1) Range - Several of the wireless speaker systems I tried made lots of claims about "long range" and "works through walls" and various statements to the effect that range shouldn't be a problem. If you have ever purchased walkie-talkies with "30 mile" range you already know how this plays out. No matter what they claim or say, range is a real problem. With a hard-wired system (RCA cables to each room) this problem is eliminated.2) Sound Quality - The sound quality from the wireless systems was not very good, several of them were sold as "remote speakers" so you couldn't connect your own amplifier or speakers and the typical sound quality about that from the speaker in a `70's era pocket transistor radio.... The wireless units would also "cut out" every so often - say every 15 minute to every half hour. This were pronounced cut outs and usually came during a great song or a quiet passage - this was really an annoying problem and one of the main issues with any wireless audio system.3) Delay - A real problem with these wireless systems was delay. If you had some speakers playing through the main source, and others using the remote speakers, there was a small delay which created an almost "echo" effect when moving from room to room, imagine two stereo systems playing the same music about ½ second out of sync with each other. This was really annoying. Of course the wired system completely fixes this problem.4) Expense - a single room using the leading high-end wireless audio system costs more than $350 and that's with low-end speakers. It is also a proprietary system so if you start with their "Starter set" you are pretty much committed by your initial investment and have to keep buying their modules for additional rooms at a very high cost.Of course, your mileage may vary and a wireless system may work great for you and save you from having to run cables, however I truly believe the best sound and functionally comes with a wired system and unit like this one as the distribution amplifier to get sound to many rooms. Whichever way you go, good luck!

This is a very nice product. I use it to branch out my soundoutputs from my computer to different parts of my house. I use amplified speakers in different rooms and it works perfectly. Without it, the sound is not good because the amps inside the computer just doesn't supply enough power to get it to all parts of the house. I have a very good soundcard, and computer. This is a must-have.

Not the right piece of equipment, it caused distortion in the speakers.

Till I can verify it, I find the cross talk between video and audio excessive. Otherwise works well for the price. I had one fail on be due to a nearby lightening strike. Not the fault of the product. But gave me the chance to open it up. I found no real isolation between the video and audio sections. Bummer! Would have not coast them must more to do it. Much could have been accomplished in the design of the PCB.

The quality of this is excellent. The sound in my system is improved thanks to this. I had been using "y" cables to route the signal from a long RCA cord to various components and the signal was ok, I thought. Have decided to 'clean up' the rats nest of cables, I ordered this product Cable Electronics Labs AV 700 Prograde Composite A/V Distribution Amplifier and am very pleased at the clarity and improved separation. Not very expensive upgrade either. I bought the 7 output in case I need them, could have bought the 4 as I learned ( in the manual) you can piggyback several units together if expansion is needed.

I hate to put a bad review on a product. But this one cost me headache. I read a few reviews before buying it but it still did not work for me. I tried splitting 3 videos and it did, but the video image would skip every 2 seconds. Maybe it was me. The good thing is that amazon refunded me the full amount.

Worked as advertised but the signal is not as clean or strong as I expected. Cascading them introduces so much noise as to make the original signal unusable\unrecordable. There is a noticeable 60hz hum on the output feeds introduced by the unit.

I have some hum in my system but I am almost positive it is not due to this product.This is actually very awesome. Basically became the "brain" for my whole home audio system for $50 instead of paying $1000+.I just pipe rca cables all over the house and plug into different existing audio equipment. Driving from computer.THis little guy does axactly what you would expect. I am coupling with a wireless transmitter receiver and there is 0 delay on the signal still!