Imagine firing up your TV and having the audio delivered to a “deviceX” we’ll call it. That device X has multiple inputs and multiple outputs but it’s at best, a pre-amp, or no amp at all. From that device, you send the signal to various smaller amplifiers, perhaps in each room, perhaps centralized…whatever.
The bottom line? Finding DeviceX that works with HA. I don’t want Sonos. My speakers will all be wired. I want input/output control over audio feeds that HA can control.