Yeah, not a good idea. When one amp is powering the speakers, the voltage would cause damage in the other amp that is currently turned off. If you want to do this, your best bet is to use two different sets of speaker cables with banana plugs and just unplug/plug whichever speaker wire relating to the amp you want to use.
Wiring two systems to one set of speakers...crazy?
Here is a thought That occurred to me I n seeking a solution to reduce hours on my REF5se and save tube life. Right now I am using a Anthem D2V pre-pro with a McIntosh MC205 (5 channel amp) for center and rears. I am also using the REF5 with a MC402 (2 Channel amp) and using Unity Gain for the Front speakers. When I am watching movies/Tv I have all the components on and the REF is just passing the front signal thru to the fronts. This adds hours to the tubes and the rest of the circuitry and really adds no quality to the sound than if I were to run the fronts thru the MC205 which has the 2 extra channels if I wanted too. Use those for fronts.
So my latest thoughts are, run a new set of cables from the MC205 to the same front speakers and leave the MC402 wired as well. The two systems HT and 2 channel would never be on at the same time so the two amps would not have signal going to the speakers. I would leave one system off, e.g. Listen to vinyl the Anthem/MC205 would be off, OR for movies the REF/MC402 would be off.
So my question, with the front speakers (which are bi-wired) wired from two amps, would I create and shorting issues that could cause damage to the amps or speakers? One concern is would I cancel or negate the benefits of bi-wiring as both sets of cables would be connected all the time? Has anyone ever done this or am I crazy thinking this would work?
So my latest thoughts are, run a new set of cables from the MC205 to the same front speakers and leave the MC402 wired as well. The two systems HT and 2 channel would never be on at the same time so the two amps would not have signal going to the speakers. I would leave one system off, e.g. Listen to vinyl the Anthem/MC205 would be off, OR for movies the REF/MC402 would be off.
So my question, with the front speakers (which are bi-wired) wired from two amps, would I create and shorting issues that could cause damage to the amps or speakers? One concern is would I cancel or negate the benefits of bi-wiring as both sets of cables would be connected all the time? Has anyone ever done this or am I crazy thinking this would work?