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Is this dangerous ?

I am trying to incorperate my 2 channel and home theater without comprmising sound .

Here is what i want to do : keep my 2 channel amp wired to the speakers as usual , the speakers are biwireable. I want to use the second binding posts on the speakers for a receiver for home theater .

Both sources would be wired at the speakers . I figure if only one source is powered on at a time this would work .probably use a independent powerstrip for each and keep the source i am not using turned off at the strip .

My main question is if both sorces would send a signal to the speakers at once what would i hear ? would it mix the two together and make some funky noise ? Would this damage the speaker ?
maplegrovemusic

Showing 2 responses by johnnyb53

johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
Get a 2-channel preamp with a home theater bypass circuit. Then follow the instructions on connecting it all together.

Or, if your HT receiver has preamp outputs, connect the Left and Right front channel pre-outs from the receiver to a pair of line level inputs on your amp (or preamp--you're not very detailed on what your setup is).

If your AV receiver doesn't have pre-outs, sell//trade it to get one that does. The ones that do aren't that expensive.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 

06-10-12: Maplegrovemusic
... I do not want to invest in expensive items to remedy this issue. ie: new bypass preamp.

The Parasound Classic 2100 has everything you need (and then some) for $649, which is no doubt cheaper than the expense you'll have if you make a mistake ONE TIME in switching between the two amps, in which case you may have to fix/replace your AVR, power amp, and speakers. Plus, the Parasound is a very good unit and very versatile. It has a built-in phono preamp *and* bass management with selectable crossover frequencies if you want to run a subwoofer.

One time when I was a newbie working in a stereo store, I made such a switch and even though I'd turned off the first amp, the two amps STILL blew out each other's output stages because the amp is still putting out current for a few seconds after you turn it off--even if you unplug it. It's the capacitors discharging.

It seems to be a reasonable expense for the amount of safe flexibility it would bring to your rig.
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