Merc - What do you mean it's passing more than the signal through?? Zone 2 is 2 chan only with no controls except volume. It won't pass anything but analog inputs through to zone 2. There's absolutely no noise with ear to speakers or Maggies. You really think that Sony pre-amp will sound even better. I realize it can always be better if you spend more money but I can't imagine it being a whole lot better. My zone 2 is in different room.