Hello cundare2! Are you a DIYer? It is easy to make a switch box using a heavy duty, 4 pole double throw (4PDT) 12 volt relay. Does one of your amps have a mini phone plug output for turning on other equipment? If so, it's a simple thing. Get the heaviest duty, continuous duty, relay you can find, capable of switching at least 10 amp loads. Perhaps something with "mercury wetted" contacts for 30 amps or so. You will be adding connectors for both amps and the speakers, so some degradation in the signal quality is likely. The heavier current the relay is rated at (contact wise) the less likely it will hurt the signal. You need to find barrier strips or contacts not made of ferrous metals. Brass, copper, bronze is better; ditto for the internal wire. The movable (switching) contacts are connected to the speakers. The non moving terminals are connected to each of the amps. Whichever amp has the "turn on" outlet powers the coil of the relay. So there are 14 terminals on the relay to connect: four for each amp and four for the speakers and two for the coil. Use the Normally Open (N.O.) contacts for the amp with the mini phone plug output. The Normally Closed terminals go to the other amp. When the Amp with the mini phone plug output (switching other equipment) is on, the relay will close the normally open contacts and connect that amp to the speakers. When that amp is off (not on standby) the other amp is connected to the speakers thru the Normally Closed contacts. If you need a circuit diagram, contact me. The big deal is to use non-ferrous connectors. Any kind will do: banana plugs, spade lugs and barrier strips, etc. Happy listening!
Is there a way to switch one set of speakers between two sound systems?
This may seem nutty at first, but it's been suggested as an unorthodox solution to a tricky configuration problem. Before dismissing it out of hand, I thought it'd be worth asking for constructive feedback on Audiogon.
Is there any way to switch a single set of speakers between two different amplifiers without compromising sonics? Switching would be done often, so the mechanism would have to be easy -- preferably with a remote or the twist of a dial or even done automatically by sensing input signals, and definitely not involving moving cables.
If this is confusing, here's a simplified example: A listening room contains two systems, one solid-state, one with tubed components. A single stereo speaker system has only one set of inputs. Is there any product or configuration method that would like the speakers to seamlessly reproduce signals generated by either system. Since the two amps would never be playing simultaneously, the speakers might merely play any signal that reaches them, like MartinLogan subs, which automatically play any signal received at any of their three inputs.
I understand that a “simple” 2-to-1 junction box would not be so simple in an audiophile environment, especially when routing amplified signals from components that might have greatly different output-stage characteristics.
Any ideas?
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@cundare2 , I just swapped the Luxman AS-55 in/out of my big rig a few times. (Relevant equipment: Lux M900u --> AQ Thunderbird --> TAD), I can't hear degradation/anything different...Typically (for the most part), i can hear a gnat's fart in this room. Only trying switches in your rig can reveal if it's good for you or not...(what some other forum dude is saying doesn't matter)... |
deep+333: Your last comment is right on the money. Unfortunately, I don't have that option. I can only buy without actually hearing beforehand, not even a showroom demo. FWIW, I'm learning that the Ayre EX-8 integrated may make all these questions moot. So I'm seriously considering going that route. That box has some very unique functionality. And what's really amazing is that this 100/170 wpc integrated, weighing only 24 pounds, is NOT Class D! |
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