amplifier switch

[aragorn723]

Hi,

Does anyone know of good amplifier switches?  What I'd like to do is use 1 set of speakers, and be able to switch between two different amplifiers.  One amplifier would be from the 2 channel setup, and the other would be a Onkyo HT receiver (so the speakers can be used for both music and HT).  Niles makes one called DPS-1, but is $90.  Are there other options that aren't as much $$?  (plus the box doesn't look that nice :-0

Dave

 

[Paul Birkeland]

Which 2 channel amplifier are you wanting to use?  You may be able to drive the 2 channel amp with your Onkyo.

 

[jake111]

Hey Dave,
I built one of these: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=354119
Works great for switching between my HT amp and Quickie + Trends T-amp. Also nice for quick AB amp comparisons. Easy to make too.

Jess

 

[jake111]

Oops, sorry about the up side down pics.

 

[aragorn723]

Cool!  Looks like that would work.  What is in your version?  Looks like some kind of transformers?  What would be a good switch for this?  Parts express has this:

http://www.parts-express.com/4pdt-heavy-duty-toggle-switch--060-572

Is there another company that has a switch that would give a high quality signal transfer for audio?

Dave

 

[jake111]

Yeah that's the same switch I used. There might be ones out there with gold or silver contacts, I'm not sure.
My HT amp kept shutting down because of the 6ohm main speakers I use. That thing you see in there is a wall mount volume control with multiple impedance settings. I set it so the HT amp sees 12ohms which keeps it from shutting down.
I don't need the volume control in there. I'd like rewire it so just the autoformer part is used, but that's a little over my head.

 

[aragorn723]

Gotcha..  Is the switch an on-on function?  (2 position with no middle position).
Dave

 

[jake111]

Yes, two position.

 

[aragorn723]

Would it be possible to combine this and a battery box?  I have a bunch of boxes already:

amp
preamp
cd player
tuner
switcher for inputs

Would combining 3 12 volt batteries into a box and the 4pdt switch for switching amps cause any noise issues?  Would this be something that should have a metal wall between the two sides to cut down noise?  It would be nice to combine a potential 2 more boxes into one  8)

Dave

 

[jake111]

Ah yeah space saving. I doubt it would make any noise. You could run your speaker wires by the battery pack maybe even coiled around and listen for noise.
I just made a little pack of 9v batteries (36v) moved them around in my switch box with music playing and not. Couldn't hear any noise. But probably not fair comparison.

 

[Grainger49]

DC does not cause hum.  I would say that you should have no problem with the switch and batteries in the same box. 

After all, the switch is for speakers, and that is the highest signal voltage level you have.  It is the least susceptible to noise pick up.

 

[STURMJ]

I've made A/B boxes using switches similar to the one you posted. I put them into a Hammond enclosures (di-cast aluminum). The switch on top, and ins and outputs on the sides. And give it a nice paint job before you put it all together.

 

[aragorn723]

Sounds cool, do you have any pictures?

 

[borism]

Thanks to this forum topic and Jess (great Audiokarma link) I was able to address the issue of two amplifiers and one pair of speakers. I used an NKK 4PDT switch from Mouser, binding posts from Madisound and 14 g stranded wire. Works great!

Boris

 

[jake111]

Nice work Boris. Happy to contribute.
Jess

 

[aragorn723]

very nice, I like the beefy binding posts, gonna look for those when i build   Just got distracted with rebuilding a bike though, so the money may go there first  8)  Was it hard to figure out how to orient the switch?  (Does up/down matter??)  The thing that bugs me a little is the posts-there are so many..  If you pay $3 each, that's $36 just in posts!  (almost the cost of a chassis!)  Not that big of a deal i guess, but man!  (still cheaper than buying a niles switch).

Dave

 

[Grainger49]

Very nice and tidy work.  That is quite a beefy switch. 

Did you make the box as well?

 

[borism]

Thanks!

Dave I don't think up/down matters regarding the switch. What really helped me was the Audiokarma picture of the connections regarding amplifier A/B and speaker connections.

Grainger, I don't have the skills to build a box like this. I got it inexpensively on eBay.

Boris

 

[Loggie]

I have the same problem as the TS, two amps and one set of speakers.
Untill now I have been switching speaker cables when I wanted to listen to the other amp.
Having read about these 4PDT switches it seems like a great solution.....so thank you for starting a topic like this 
These switches come in on/on and on/off/on (or on/none/on) variations.....might be opting for the ones with an off position to avoid possible contact problems during switching.
On to Ebay now for some switch shopping

 

[aragorn723]

Thanks!

Dave I don't think up/down matters regarding the switch. What really helped me was the Audiokarma picture of the connections regarding amplifier A/B and speaker connections.

Grainger, I don't have the skills to build a box like this. I got it inexpensively on eBay.

Boris

So the contacts on the top of the switch correspond to the upper switch position?  I want the upper position to be the "music" position, and lower would be HT.  Thanks,

Dave