2. amps-preamps
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Two different amps to same speakers for two different applications?

I have a 7.1 theater system with a Rotel 2-channel amp powering the L&R.  I'm considering putting a 1980s Audio Research tube amp into the mix for a dedicated vinyl rig.  

So question is, can I wire my L&R channels from both amps and obviously just use one amp at a time?  Seems perfectly do-able to me but I've done silly stuff before and I don't want to blow anything up.  :-) 

My Paradigm Studio V3 speakers have bi-wire inputs so perhaps use bananas from both Rotel & AR, one into the top 2 (highs) & the other into the bottom 2 and use the jumpers?

Thanks for any thoughts.
thxphotog

Showing 2 responses by almarg

almarg's avatar
almarg
9,670 posts
 
Doesn’t switching gear take away from the sound stage, the quality?
Not necessarily, IMO. While I suspect that a lot of audiophiles would assert that it does, I doubt that very many if any of them have performed an evaluation of a variety of well chosen switchboxes (note the selection criteria I cited in the second thread I linked to, involving isolation of negative as well as positive amplifier outputs, as well as power handling capability), and in a variety of diverse systems, and in a thorough and disciplined manner that is sufficient to support that assertion with any conclusiveness.

Regards,
-- Al
almarg's avatar
almarg
9,670 posts
 
No, you absolutely should not do that.  See discussion of a similar question, and some possible approaches, in the following recent threads: 

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/one-system-two-amps-one-for-tv-and-the-other-for-music

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/bryston-2wsb-switch-box-to-choose-amp-that-drives-speakers

Regards,
-- Al 
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