How do you A/B amps in your system?


Comparing two different amps in my system of separates requires changing speaker cable connections, inputs, and sometimes system volume. Do you have any tricks you use to simplicity the switch over and minimize time between hearing one then the other? I know audio reviewers make comparisons between amps, but for me there is more subjectivity at play than say comparing two input components. Is this just the nature of the beast, or do you veteran listeners have tips and tricks!?

peterf6

Showing 1 response by hilde45

It’s pretty easy for me. My rack is between my speakers and all are quite a few feet from the wall behind the speakers ("front wall").

Each amp has speaker wires already in the back.

Let’s say I’m listening to A, first.

I play a test tone (say, 250 hz.) and do a db reading on my phone. (e.g. 80 db on a C weighting).

I listen to amp A.

SWITCH: To switch from A to B, I

  • turn off A
  • move the preamp cables from A to B, and
  • switch the speaker cables from A to B.
  • then I turn on amp B.

I play that same test tone (250 hz.) and do a db reading on my phone and match it to amp A using the preamp volume.

I listen to amp B.

The switch between amps takes maybe 2 minutes.