2. amps-preamps
  3. 156948-380

2 amplifiers connected to 1 set of speakers

I’ve been in the hobby for a few years and my wife asked me a question that stumped me.

Can you have 2 amplifiers, connected via their own individual sets of speaker cables, connected to the same pair of speakers at the same time? I told her I didn’t think that would be advisable.

The question came about when she saw me disconnecting cables from my solid state amp and connecting the cables from my tube amp. (both were off of course). She asked me why it wouldn’t be ok and I started babbling that the signal from one amp would then travel through the other set of connected cables into the amp that was not in use. Even if the other amp was off that could be problematic. If the other amp happened to be on then it could prove catastrophic for both amps and potentially cause an electrical fire.

What is the correct answer fellow audiogon members? Ralph?
ghasley

Showing 3 responses by ghasley

ghasley OP
2,434 posts
 
No offense intended to anyone but Im not looking for a way to switch between the amps. It isnt hard to switch cables at the speakers. I have two sets of transparent gen5 speaker cables, one optimized for the tube amp and one for the solid state. Im looking for an educated explanation of what would happen. Sparks, blown caps, transformers? I appreciate @oldhvymec explaining what happened. Other explanations welcome but im not looking for a switch. Peace and thanks. 
ghasley OP
2,434 posts
 
Thanks @atmasphere 

To be clear, I do NOT want to do this, I was wondering what would happen if someone did. I am perfectly content to disconnect the speaker cables at the speaker when I want to switch amps.
ghasley OP
2,434 posts
 
To be clear. I have two amps, two pair of speaker cables, one pair of speakers. I’m not asking if it can be done or how it can be done, I’m asking what would happen if someone tried. Thanks for the responses thus far.
More to discover