Switch between amps


I regularly use an Ayre VX-5 Twenty stereo amp to drive KEF Reference 1s, but would like to be able to switch occasionally to a pair of Cary 572SE tube monoblocks.  I envision a box that has two pairs of speaker input connectors and a single output connector.  It would need to provide some sort of load for the amp not used.  In my case, an added complication is that the Ayre has provisions for bi-wiring whereas the Carys do not.  I doubt such switch is available, but I'm not sure.  An alternate path is to drive a pair of KEF LS50s with the Carys.

db
dbphd

Showing 1 response by br3098

Yes, you can do this. The easiest way is to use a HIGH QUALITY speaker selector switch. Luxman and Van Alstine make these. I haven't used the VA box but it looks good. I regularly use a Luxman AS-50R for making A/B tests on speakers.

There is a current thread on the speaker forum regarding this very subject.

Warning: you are going to get a lot of advice and flack about your inquiry here. Apparently selector switches are the root of all audio evil. I would agree with that re: cheap selector switches but I have never noticed a degradation in SQ from a good box. Keep the cables from the box to the amps as short as possible and utilize the same speaker cable that you use for your speaker runs and you will be fine.