Can an HDX play and serve the same music at the same time?

The most cost effective way would be to run a long interconnect from analog output of HDX to your mini system. HDX outputs both dig-out and analog at the same time. The answer to your topic question is also yes, HDX can simultaneously serve - in fact, can even serve a different music to the other room. So, another alternative could be to replace your mini system with a Uniticute, and this would be all you need in the other room.

Can an HDX and iTunes share the same music library?  If so, an AirPort Express and almost any old PC could be an inexpensive, low-effort compromise solution.  Save the HDX for critical listening sessions, and listen to iTunes when wandering about the house.  I am sure the Uniti and NaimNet solutions would be better sounding, better integrated, and maybe even "cost-effective", depending on how you define that. 

Nick

Thanks guys, some useful ideas.

David,

I'm not too fussed about being able to play different music on each system as I can plug my ipod into the second system and listen to a fair amount of what I also have on the HDX anyway.

What I want to be able to do is play music simultaneously on the HDX and on my second system. 

Aysil/Nick,

Thats a thought but I'm not sure I'd be able to run an interconnect quite as far as I need.  Thats why I was hoping I could run the signal via ethernet as this cable aready exists from the HDX to my router which is two thirds of the way to my second system.  I was hoping I could then continue an ethernet signal from the router to my second system, but I don't know if this method would be possible?

Thanks guys, some useful ideas.

David,

I'm not too fussed about being able to play different music on each system as I can plug my ipod into the second system and listen to a fair amount of what I also have on the HDX anyway.

What I want to be able to do is play music simultaneously on the HDX and on my second system. 

Aysil/Nick,

Thats a thought but I'm not sure I'd be able to run an interconnect quite as far as I need.  Thats why I was hoping I could run the signal via ethernet as this cable aready exists from the HDX to my router which is two thirds of the way to my second system.  I was hoping I could then continue an ethernet signal from the router to my second system, but I don't know if this method would be possible?

Jason,

this method would surely be possible; there are many stream client devices for every budget which you could connect to your mini system in the other room.

Just a moment, no! I understand your question! It is not possible. This is a very good question. I don't think the local output of HDX can be synchronised with the UPnP streaming of HDX. Maybe there are solutions within NaimNet. I don't know.

Aysil,

Ok thanks, I think I will have to have a chat with a Naimnet dealer at some point about this one.  I've got a feeling that the only option to send the signal along the ethernet cable from the HDX will be expensive.  I'm not looking for fantastic quality for this, as the second system is not used for critical listening but it would be nice to hear the same music being played on my main system when I wander through to another part of the house.  I might have to look at an extra extra long interconnect!!!

If you do end up running wire, fish a line or two of CAT-5/6 along-side for various uses, possibly including repeating remote-control signals back to the main unit.  I did this to most of my zones, whether wired with line-level or speaker wire.  I can control e.g. the CD5X from any location using any of a variety of universal remote controls (mostly Denon) that I have accumulated over the last 15 years.  This has turned out to be a flexible, high quality, platform-independent, and surprisingly future-proof investment!

I think the guy is asking for party mode. i.e. if he hits Lady gaga to play out his main stereo he wants it playing out another stereo as well at the same time, like a night club as it were.

Nick, Thanks, that's a good idea, if I run an interconnect, I'll do that.

David,  It's the synchronized playing I'm looking for.

Garyi - interesting scenario, but yes, kind of... but perhaps with a little less Gaga!!  

The thinking behind this is to be able to enjoy a little background music around the two main areas of the house when entertaining, so it needs to be synchronized as though you were listening to the same radio station in two different rooms.

Superb.  Thats great guys, thanks for your help on this one.

Tony,

I didn't even know these baluns existed!  I'll have a look into these and see how I get on.

All the best.

Thats very helpful Tony, Thank you.