Using same speaker pair with two different amps

In my case, a pre-pro linked to my two channel linestage facilitates multi-channel (or stereo) very easily. A five channel power amp for multi-channel, and a choice of two different tube power amps for the front channels.

This is more a reflection of the different phases I went through in audio (I was bitten by the surround sound bug some years back), but now, mostly two channel, SET amps, etc.

Just switching the line stage to HT pass through, and turning on the pre-pro gets me to multi-channel mode.

Easy-peasy, but not inexpensive, depending on what components you want, and whether you buy them new or used.

Good luck,
Dan

Get a Niles Amp AB switch
A little Rube Goldbergish but it will do as you wish.
JohnnyR

Thanks, Audioconnection. I've been doing this for over 50 yrs and have never even heard of this being done. I looked at the description of this Niles switching device and, you're right, it looks like it will do what I need.

Hi Broadstone

I have 2 moderate power amplifiers powering the same set of speakers. I use a Niles DPS-1 to make make this happen.

Here is info about the Niles DPS-1

http://www.nilesaudio.com/product.php?prodID=DPS-1&recordID=Source%20Switching%20Systems&categoryID=Switching%20Systems&prdcdID=FG00003

It was 2 amplifier inputs and 1 amplifier output.

The issue I had was with the ends of the DPS-1. It has these screw down ends so I had to rig up an adapter to use the speaker cables I have that use banana plug ends. I used 14AWG wire from the rear of the DPS-1 to a speaker terminals and then plugged my banana plug speaker wires to it.

This set-up has been working well and I have not experienced any sound degradation issues.

Thanks and best of luck.

Thanks. I searched everywhere to find a photo or description of the rear panel of the DPS-1 and found nothing but stock photos of the front. I'm going to use one, I guess, but would like to use my existing banana plugs. Also, I'm using custom made 10 or12 gauge speaker cables to the speakers and the DPS calls for max 16 gauge. Although It would be a quite short run between the amps and the selector, is this a problem?

Here is another option if your receiver has a 12V trigger or switched AC outlet.

Niles SPK-1

It looks like the Snell DPS1 is the most straightforward approach allowing the use of the Sphinx for music, with the receiver relegated to TV and DVD, both powering the same speaker pair.

Please tell me what I might expect from this approach; use the pre out from the Sphinx to the CD input of the B&K AVR307. This would allow switching at the receiver from the tube preamp section of the Sphinx and, at the same time, get the advantage of the more powerful output amplification of the receiver (100 vs 150wpc).

I very much like the Sphinx for all forms of music listening and I'm concerned that this approach, although easy, might noticeably affect the final result in a negative way. I guess the best question might be this. Does anyone know if the output section of this receiver is of high enough quality to expect good results from this approach?

The stereo chain in the system, BTW, is Shanling CD S100 solid state CD player, CAL Sigma DAC, Martin Logan Odyssey speakers. The DVD components are Samsung blue ray with internet capability, CAL Alpha DAC, B&K AVR 307 receiver and ML Odtssey speakers (or the AV123 Strata Mini's while the Odysseys are being repaired).

OK, for those of you still following this thread, the problem is resolved in the simplest of ways. I connected the fixed tube pre output from the Sphinx to the CD input of the receiver. Now I can use the same speaker pair for stereo as well as L/R fronts for TV and movies. I would have tried this sooner but, in reading the manual, it sounds like this pre out is for connection to a powered subwoofer.

I can't tell if the overall sound quality is degraded compared to using the digital output power stage of the Sphinx but, if it is, it must be quite subtle and I do like the idea of the added power of the receiver.

BTW, I've started quite a few threads soliciting advice on a myriad of subjects but, because my technical knowledge is limited, I haven't had much to offer others. I feel a little parasitic in this regard but hope that raising these questions will serve to initiate informed discussions between other members.

Hi Broadstone.

I'm glad you figured everything out. I lost track of this thread. To your previous query about having short runs thin wire from the Niles DPS-1 to an adapter or to the wires themselves. I did that exactly. I took some thin wire that was at most 4" in length and secured it from the rear of the DPS-1 individual speaker screw on posts to 3 pairs of speaker terminals. I then plugged in my amps to those terminals. 2 inputs and one output to the shared speakers.

I didn't experience any sound issues and also I had not problem with using the short wire because I think it is similar to another concept. I remember when I had these thick 10AWG Belden wire for my HT amp. Un-terminated it wouldn't fit through the speaker terminal holes. I was told to just strip off some of the wire to make it a smaller thickness so it could fit into the terminal. The signal from the amp starts off at thinner gauge and but then ends up in a larger gauge.

Anyway good luck with your set-up. Hopefully other members can help you with your questions.