Old Guy Needs Some Help

[70sMac]

Tom......Thanks for the explanation. In short, I wasn't sure how these speaker "switch boxes" are typically wired. Considering your explanation, the typical speaker switch box is simply a wired up set of passive switches -- and I'm glad that someone has verified that for me ... and, yes, one would have to be careful about switching one source off before switching to the other.

[clpetersen]

Originally Posted by 70sMac

clpetersen......Absolutely, your idea would work great ... but I was hoping that someone manufactured the same thing in an attractive "finished" product. I've got a Mrs. to deal with, so I trust that you understand the reticence to pull out my Weller, the flux and the 60/40 solder. In short, I can definitely make up a switch panel ... but I'm no artist.

I am sure you can do great job! Say between 2am and 4 am some night. Just be sure to remember which end of the iron gets hot.

[62caddy]

I would strongly discourage making multiple amplifier connections to the switchbox in any way that the outputs can be crossed simply by operator error of the switcher. One slip of the mind and the results can be catastrophic.

Only use an amplifier switcher specifically designed for this purpose and only connect amplifiers to the terminals so designated.

Russound makes a variety of amplifier/speaker switching devices.

[Formerly YB-2]

Speaker switch boxes are bi-directional. You could connect your three (3) amp outputs to what would normally be the speaker connections on the switch box and the one (1) pair of speakers to what would normally be the amp connection to the switch box. When you selected "Speaker 1" you would actually be selecting whichever amp or receiver you have connected as "Amp 1", etc.

If you want something of very high quality, then these folks would likely build one to your specification: http://www.goldpt.com/sw4.html

[62caddy]

That is entirely true however sooner or later the day will come when two "speaker sets" are accidentally selected at the same time with both amplifiers playing carrying potentially disastrous consequences.

A quality amplifier switcher (as opposed to speaker switcher) should be designed so that cross connections between amplifier outputs is impossible. While a ordinary speaker switcher would work, I would not advise using one for switching between amplifiers.

I use a Russound Multiplay unit I bought from Ken Zelin of McIntosh to switch between an MC240 & MC2505 and a pair of Altec 14 & Boston T1000s in any combination using one or both amplifiers.

[nicoff]

Originally Posted by 70sMac

DoggieHowser......Is this the speaker switch you're referring to, mate? If so, I'm a bit confused about a couple of things. First, the rear panel seems to accommodate two amps ... but perhaps it would be simpler to ask you how the setup I've described would be connected to this device (keeping in mind that we want to use two separate 2-channel receivers and one pair of B&W N805 8-ohm speakers).



I'd also appreciate some words on how a banana plugs would work here. When I think of banana plugs, I picture pomona leads that [literally] push into a female receptacle (aka, a round hole). Are those removable caps over the rear connections?

Yes, that switch should work. In the front of the switch there should be two buttons. One to select receiver 1 and the other to select receiver two.
A very simple box.
Each amp has a left speaker output and a right output. Each speaker wire has two conductors (positive and negative).
Very simple set up. Only one can play at a time.

[62caddy]

Oh well...I tried.

[W9TR]

Originally Posted by 62caddy

That is entirely true however sooner or later the day will come when two "speaker sets" are accidentally selected at the same time with both amplifiers playing carrying potentially disastrous consequences.

A quality amplifier switcher (as opposed to speaker switcher) should be designed so that cross connections between amplifier outputs is impossible. While a ordinary speaker switcher would work, I would not advise using one for switching between amplifiers.

I use a Russound Multiplay unit I bought from Ken Zelin of McIntosh to switch between an MC240 & MC2505 and a pair of Altec 14 & Boston T1000s in any combination using one or both amplifiers.

Yep - that is the risk. If the selectors aren’t exclusive (selecting one deselects the other) then you can select both amps and so short the outputs together.

Let ‘em fight it out and see who wins.

[62caddy]

Originally Posted by W9TR

Yep - that is the risk. If the selectors aren’t exclusive (selecting one deselects the other) then you can select both amps and so short the outputs together.

Let ‘em fight it out and see who wins.

According to the QED, the device is designed that speaker outputs are wired in parallel and the resulting impedance of two 8 ohm speakers is 4 ohms. That is pretty clear indication both speaker outputs may be selected simultaneously.

If OP wants to be safe, something like this is what he should be considering.

https://www.russound.com/products/co...eaker-selector

[doggiehowser]

I pointed out that risk when I suggested that product. Only one amp at any one time

It’s a simple passive device and from what I could see, pretty well built.

It does come with good 5 way speaker terminals. Which means it can accept bare wire, spades and bananas. But as this had to meet EU requirements the banana plugs are capped with plastic end caps. Just pull them out (I use finger nails) and voila banana plugs.

I also noticed sound improvement when I used different types of speaker cables to connect them up. But eventually I used HT bypass and completely set aside the box.

That said, the Russound product seems exactly like what the original poster asked for. And if he can get that locally all the better.