2. amps-preamps
  3. 175216-1604

Amp with RCA and XLR Inputs PLUS a switch to Select

I have my systems setup great now and looking to add one more amp. I have some spare parts that could be used nicely if I had one more amp. I am now looking for an amp that supports both RCA and XLR inputs and also has a switch on the back of the amp to select 1 of the 2 input types. I also need the amp to not degrade in sound if XLR and RCA is connected at the same time, but only 1 is used at a time.

Bryston has this feature, the CODA #16 has this feature. I am looking for some more options. This amp ideally will be not too large and have a minimum of 100 watt.

Here is another amp with this feature. I sold this last year (maybe I should have kept it). M3a-800S Stereo Amplifier | D Sonic (d-sonic.com)

Even n though the Parasound A21+ has a switch they say not to hookup XLR and RCA at the same time. I sold the A21+ a few months ago.

The 2 preamps I want to connect to this new amp (at the same time with only 1 preamp turned on) are the CODA 07x using XLR and the Schitt Freya+ connected by RCA. 

The ideal amp would not be too big, have some warmth, have a lot of power, and be sufficiently different sonically from the Benchmark AHB2. The AHB2 is my main amp in this headphone system that I am looking to expand with a 2nd amp.

yyzsantabarbara
carlsbad's avatar
carlsbad
1,551 posts
 

I can't make a recommendation but I can confirm that the parasound A21+ sounds like crap with both hooked up.  I tried it once testing some components.  Not sure why.

 

yyzsantabarbara OP
4,570 posts
 

I never tested the Parasound with both hooked up when I owned the amp. This new great idea :) is brand new.

Here is a comment from an amp manufacturer that I just asked.

- bridgeable amplifiers are sometimes an exception. I think you'll find that quite often that switch isn't switching the input so much as it is making sure that the unused phase of the XLR connection is grounded so it won't make noise. 

Some solid state amps use an entirely different circuit to convert from balanced (usually using an opamp) to single-ended and then apply that to the regular single-ended input of the amp. Such amps might also have a switch. IMO this is a poor way to execute a balanced input; if the actual amplifier itself is balanced that seems to work better.

twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,313 posts
 

The AGD Tempo has a switch.  No idea exactly what the switch does.  But it's also bridgeable, so I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for.  AGD will get back to you re. technical inquiries within 24 hrs.

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