Tips and Tricks Integration Vintage Audio gear into home automation set-up

[VintageDutch]

Hi All,

I really could do with some pointer, idea's tips and tricks to integrate my Vintage Audio gear into an home automation set-up.

The thing I'm moving house in a short while, bought a nice home for me and my soon to be wife, and we entertain the thought of home automation..
Several standards are easy like Switching on and of Lights, Warming and cooling etc... no problem there...

But when it comes to integrating Vintage Audio into that solution... things get tricky...
Yes I know I'l have to modify to some extent the Audio gear... I'm willing to do that (whit in limits)
I'm thinking Bypass the volume controle and Channel switching with relay's or something like that...

Still a wild idea since I have no clue on the Tabel app/ extra hardware needed. etc...
SO my though was to pick all of you clear Guy's and Girls brains...
SO looking for integration solutions... Local Wifi usable Apps (No Google, No Amazon, No Microsoft or Apple) Brand specific Hardware Cloud service is acceptable.

Should work with Heating, Cooling, Lights, TV and Streaming services, Curtains, Outdoor Shading, Liquid Cristal blinds, Surveillance Cams and self build (audio) Gear solutions...

But the real tricky should bee that The vintage gear (and all other tech) should also be still usable the "analog way"

Why Vintage gear? Well... I can't stand the sound of today's Modern Pumpt- up Speaker and amplify Sound systems...

Would love to read from you all

Thanks

 

[swechsler]

Since you don't have the equipment yet, I'd go with equipment from the 1980s or early 1990s - still analog but remote capable, which means you just need to spit out an IR stream (or for some, RS-232) to control. Look for formerly TOTL Pro-Logic equipment (such as the Pioneer VSX-D1S receiver) which generally sell for pennies on the dollar since they're essentially obsolete in the home theater realm.

The Logitech Harmony Elite remote (discontinued, but still available and supposedly will be supported for as long as people are using it) might be an easy and inexpensive way to integrate, but you still might end up being reliant on some big-name corporate servers (especially since almost everyone is running in either Microsoft's, Amazon's or Google's cloud, although it's possible I'm misunderstanding what you mean with "brand specific hardware cloud service is acceptable").

 

[VintageDutch]

Hello @swechsler

I'm sorry.... I did not mention it but I have several (about a dozen) Vintage receivers of several brands and makes...
I'm gonna look into your suggestions of the Pioneer VSX-D1S and the Logitech Harmony Elite remote, Thanks for that.

With "brand specific hardware cloud service is acceptable" I Meant that some brands use there own Cloud service and not one of the big tech Cloud services.

 

[VintageDutch]

Well... That Pioneer is really not what I'm looking for in my setup..

I really would love to use my Sony SQR 6650. or my little Old Kenwood KR 44 SWL or my HH Scoot 350 RL

I could take some modification to get it to do what I want and maybe it is just not doable... But that Logitech look like serious stuff..
I'll dive deeper into that one Thank you!!!

 

[swechsler]

I'm not sure who hosts Logitech's services, but it wouldn't surprise me if it's one of the big guys.

But regarding signal controls, look into commercial matrix switchers from companies like Extron and Crestron, they can usually be remote controlled and found cheap on the used market. Controlling volume may require a separate device, but there is probably something out there to do it as well. Then you would basically feed all your components into the matrix switcher and out to the AUX inputs on the various receivers.

 

[swechsler]

For matrix switchers, you'll probably be looking at video switchers, but these typically also provide two analog audio channels. An example is the Crestron Matrix 50 series, available with up to 12 inputs and 8 outputs. Remote is only via RS-232, though, which will make it difficult to integrate into a standard system like the Harmony. Most of these use Phoenix (aka euroblock) connectors for the audio, so make sure it either comes with them, or be prepared to buy them separately; this can add significantly to the total cost. Do some research; it's possible that there are switchers that include volume control for all outputs.