Python RS232 API for Multi-Zone Amps

Library for RS232 serial communication to Xantech, Monoprice, Dayton Audio, Soundavo, and other multi-zone amps. This supports any serial protocol for communicating with the amps, including RS232 ports, USB serial ports, and possibly the RS232-over-IP interface for more recent Xantech amps. See below for exactly which amplifier models are supported.

GOAL: To eventually merge this with pymonoprice and get rid of a separate implementation.

The Monoprice version was originally created by Egor Tsinko for use with Home-Assistant.

Support

Visit the community support discussion thread for issues with this library.

Usage

For Monoprice and Dayton Audio 6-zone amplifiers:

from pyxantech import get_amp_controller

zone = 11 # (11 = amp 1/destination 1)
amp = get_amp_controller('monoprice6', '/dev/ttyUSB0')

# Turn off zone
amp.set_power(zone, False)

# Mute zone
amp.set_mute(zone, True)

# Set volume for zone
amp.set_volume(zone, 15)

# Set source 1 for zone
amp.set_source(zone, 1)

For Xantech 8-zone amplifiers the following exmaple. In this case pyxantech is used to connect to an RS232 device exposed over the network (e.g. IP2SL):

from pyxantech import get_amp_controller

zone = 12
amp = get_amp_controller('xantech8', 'socket://remote-host:4999/')

amp.set_source(zone, 3) # select source 3

See also example.py for a more complete example.

Usage with asyncio

With the asyncio flavor, all methods of the controller objects are coroutines:

import asyncio
from pyxantech import async_get_amp_controller

async def main(loop):
    amp = await async)get_amp_controller('monoprice6', '/dev/ttyUSB0', loop)
    zone_status = await amp.zone_status(11)
    if zone_status.power:
        await amp.set_power(zone_status.zone, False)

loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
loop.run_until_complete(main(loop))

Supported Multi-Zone Amps

Manufacturer	Model(s)	Zones	Supported	Series	Notes
Xantech	MRAUDIO8X8 / MRAUDIO8X8m	6+2	YES	xantech8	audio only; zones 7-8 are preamp outputs only
	MX88a / MX88ai	8	YES	xantech8	audio only; ai = Ethernet support (MRIP)
	MRC88 / MRC88m	6+2	YES	xantech8	audio + video; zones 7-8 are preamp outputs only
	MX88 / MX88vi	8	YES	xantech8	audio + video; vi = Ethernet support (MRIP)
	CM8X8 / CM8X8DR	8	UNTESTED	xantech8	commercial rack mount matrix controller (BNC)
	ZPR68-10	6	UNTESTED	zpr68-10	6-zone output; 8 source inputs
	MRAUDIO4X4 / BXAUDIO4x4	4	NO	N/A	audio only; only supports IR control
	MRC44 / MRC44CTL	4	NO	N/A	audio + video; only supprots IR control
Monoprice	MPR-SG6Z / 10761	6	UNTESTED	monoprice6	audio only
Dayton Audio	DAX66	6	UNTESTED	monoprice6	audio only
	DAX88	6+2	YES	dax88	audio only
Sonance	C4630 SE (6-zone) / 875D MKII (4-zone)	4-6	UNTESTED	sonance6	audio only
Soundavo	WS66i	6	UNTESTED	monoprice6	audio only; see pyws66i; does not support telnet/IP control (yet)

• The Monoprice MPR-SG6Z and Dayton Audio DAX66 appear to have licensed or copied the serial interface from Xantech. Both Monoprice and Dayton Audio use a version of the Xantech multi-zone controller protocol.
• Soundavo WS66i is an updated version of the Monoprice 10761 which includes 2 wireless streamers, IP/telnet-based control, etc. It has not been tested with this, but should use the monoprice6 integration when RS232 controlled.

Xantech High-Density Cable Models

Some Xantech MX88/MX88ai models use high-density HD15 (or DE15) connectors for rear COM ports, thus requiring Xantech's "DB15 to DB9" adapter cable (PN 05913665). The front DB9 RS232 and USB COM ports cannot be used for device control on these models. Instead, use the rear COM ports which are already wired as a 'null modem' connection, so no use of null modem cable is required as the Transmit and Receive lines have already been interchanged.

MX88 RS232 Control Cable (Xantech Part 05913665)

Thanks to @skavan for figuring out the pinouts for the discontinued RS232 Control DB15 cable (PN 05913665) with incorrect pinouts listed in the Xantech manual. The following are the correct pinouts:

HDB15 Male	Function	DB9 Female	DB9 Color	Function	Notes
13	Tx	2	Brown	Rx
12	Rx	3	White	Tx
4	DSR	4	Green	DTR
6	DTR	6	Red	DSR
9	GND	5	Yellow	GND	Ground (see also pin 11)
11	GND	5	Yellow	GND	Ground (OPTIONAL)

Example parts needed to build a custom Xantech MX88 style cable:

• USB to DB9 RS232 Cable or IP/Ethernet to DB9 Adapter or Virtual IP2SL

• DB9 Female Connector with wires or DB9 Female Connector

• Xantech Male DB15 Connector

For help, ask questions on the support forum

Expansion Port Cable (Xantech Part ???)

Pinouts as documented in the Xantech MX88 manual:

HDB15 Male	Function	DB9 Female	DB9 Color	Function	Notes
2	Tx	2	Brown	Rx
3	Rx	3	White	Tx
4	DSR	4	Green	DTR
5	GND	5	Yellow	GND	Ground
6	DTR	6	Red	DSR

See Also

• Protocol Definitions - Xantech / Monoprice / Sonance (reusable in other projects)
• Hardware Specifications - Xantech / Monoprice / Sonance (reusable in other projects)

Other

• Home Assistant integration
• Monoprice RS232 serial protocol manual
• Monoprice RS232 serial protocol control
• Xantech DIY System
• Monoprice 6 ESP32 to RS232 custom hardware

Community Engagement

Sites with active community engagement around the Xantech, Monoprice, and Daytona AUdio multi-zone amplifiers:

• AVS Forum: Monoprice 6
• http://cocoontech.com/forums/topic/25893-monoprice-multi-zone-audio/
• Home Assistant: Monoprice 6
• RS232 to USB cable