Actually the zone 2 pathway is extremely useful. You must, however, recognize that only analog signals pass. Not a problem. If a player has digital use its analog outputs also.

Zone 2 outs are analog at line level bur also has volume control. You can feed an amplifier from zone 2 outs. I do. I have several uses for it, of which one is to drive an amp which drives headphones as a separate program while family watching tv or movie with sound thru 990.
HTH
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Living Room:
5.1 Surround and 4channel inline room
990/7700/6-KEF-107s/LFM1 x 2/ SMS Awaiting Trinnov
Millenium dts decoder;Digital Director
Players: Tascam CD01U/SonyCX455 x 3/DV955/BDP83
Old Sony 60" SXRD TV
Zone 2 (also liv-Room: listening to music while Mrs watches TV): Crown SL2 preamp/D40 Amp/Stax Headphones



My "Man-cave":
4 channel-only inline room. No TV (thank heaven)!!!
990/755/4-KEF 107s
Tascam CD01U/dts decoder/digital director
Alesis 16x4x2 mixer
Recorders Alesis HD24/ML9600/Crown CX844s/SonyDAT/Tascam DA38
Ham Radio Shack (KB1STH) ICOM/Yaesu/Drakes x 3