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Best way to switch between AVR and Amp?


I have an AV receiver that I use for AV applications such as blu-ray and cable and an integrated amp that I use for music. For me, both are 2.0 presently.

I am interested in a source switching device that would preclude me from needing to pull out banana plugs and switch inputs every time I want to change the nature of my source material.

For what it’s worth, here’s the setup I use for each:

AV: (blu ray/cable etc) --> Yamaha RX-V775WA receiver
Music: FLAC via PC-->Arcam IRDAC-->Arcam FMJ a19 amp

I have KEF LS50's connected by 12 gauge wire that I connect these two setups to.

I have seen some switches that may work:

1) Niles DPS-1
2) Beresford TC 7220
3) OSD Audio ATM-7

I’d appreciate any input as to:
a) The possible sonic degradation that I would experience by the use of one of these switches
b) Whether one of these switches is better than the others for my purposes. (I am partial to the OSD because it supports IR and using a remote would be handy)

Thank you!!
rhinomyte76

Showing 2 responses by tls49

tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 
What if I plug in my Arcam integrated amp into the 2 pre-amp front channel RCA inputs in the back of the yamaha receiver?
Those front channel RCA's are outputs, not inputs. The only way to connect the Arcam and Yamaha together is to let one act as a source to the other, then speakers will always be connected to the main one. For 2.0 this might be an option, however adding more speakers or a sub for A/V will greatly complicate things.

As far as the OSD, should work fine, just more connection options than actually needed. IMHO, the only difference between DPS-1, SAS-1, and OSD is the type of operation; manual, automatic, or remote control.
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 

Sorry Yogiboy, I can't see the Niles SS-4 (4 in - 1 out) offering any advantage over the Niles DPS-1 (2 in - 1 out) in this application to switch 2 amplifiers. Also, both of those units only accept a maximum of 14 gauge bare wire, so the OP's 12 gauge with banana plugs is an issue. There is another option from Niles, the SAS-1, which is an automatic A/B switch. This device can be triggered by audio, video, or voltage. Even though it may be obvious to let it trigger by the output of an amplifier, I would not suggest this because if you stop playing briefly, the device may time out and switch back. The best way would be to use the Arcam for default speaker input A and the Yamaha for speaker input B. Then connect "trigger out" from the Yamaha to "control in" on the SAS-1. Speakers are connected to the Arcam when the Yamaha is off, and automatically switched when the Yamaha is turned on. This should work without a problem since the Yamaha trigger is 12V at 100mA and the SAS-1 requirement is 5V-30V at 20mA. There is also another way to make it work, a little bit unusual, but will skip this unless someone wants to know.
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