Crestron control and audio processors blew out in power surge; how to replace?

Ethan Tsai

Estimable
Jul 13, 2014
5
0
4,510
There was a power surge last week which managed to blow out a power strip that these three Crestron boxes were connected to. I took this opportunity to replace our TV and get rid of the useless DVD player and karaoke machine that we never used. So my current set up that I want is this new LG TV connected with a Comcast Xfinity X1 Terminal DVR, a Chromecast, and a PS3.

The problem I have now is that the surround sound speakers are connected to these Crestron boxes which have been rendered useless and I don't know how what to do. I assume my only option is to replace the Crestron boxes. The issue is that I don't know with what because I don't even understand why they were there in the first place. Why can't I just connect the speakers to the optical audio out in the TV?

Pictures: http://imgur.com/a/hnlEL
 
Solution
You cannot connect speakers to an optical audio output. The Crestron boxes provide surround sound processing, input selection, and power amps to drive the speakers.
You could replace the Crestron boxes with a surround sound receiver, There are good sounding receivers from Marantz, Anthem, & Cambridge Audio that would update the system without loss of sound quality.
If you have a Crestron home automation system they would have to integrate the receiver and reprogram the system. If the Crestron is just in that room I would just get a new universal remote.
You cannot connect speakers to an optical audio output. The Crestron boxes provide surround sound processing, input selection, and power amps to drive the speakers.
You could replace the Crestron boxes with a surround sound receiver, There are good sounding receivers from Marantz, Anthem, & Cambridge Audio that would update the system without loss of sound quality.
If you have a Crestron home automation system they would have to integrate the receiver and reprogram the system. If the Crestron is just in that room I would just get a new universal remote.
 
Solution

Ethan Tsai

Estimable
Jul 13, 2014
5
0
4,510


Thank you for your response! So if I just buy something like this:

Link: http://www.amazon.com/Marantz-NR1403-5-1-channel-Theater-receiver/dp/B0081N916M
Picture: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81WL0vyKC9L.jpg

I can plug in my dvr, ps3, and chromecast into that via hdmi, and then connect the speakers and power amps to the portion labelled "Speaker Systems". Is that correct?

Side question: why is there a + and - in that section? I have a 5.1 system, so where do I plug in my six audio cables?