2 amps into 1 set of speakers

[Mikeandvan]

Can you have one set of speakers connected up to 2 amps at the same time, switching between amps? Thinking of getting a classic amp for vinyl listening, and may'be a Naim unitiqute for streaming.

[struth]

not advisable

[alcarmichael]

I have previously had a 2 channel power amp and a surround power amp connected to the same pair of speakers, I assumed that as long as only one amp is on at any one time there wouldn’t be a problem. I was wrong. My amps would trip.

[walpurgis]

Can you have one set of speakers connected up to 2 amps at the same time, switching between amps? Thinking of getting a classic amp for vinyl listening, and may'be a Naim unitiqute for streaming.

I wouldn't do that. Too much risk of an 'incineratory' disaster! :eek:

[struth]

for a start you are putting the speakers in parallel so causing probs there, and thats before you think of the chances of accidentally putting both on together. having fail safe switching so only one can be connected at once is ok

[chris_s]

Yes you can!

Beresford TC-7220

http://www.homehifi.co.uk/S/tc-7220.htm

or his slightly newer/simpler version

Beresford TC-7210

http://www.homehifi.co.uk/S/tc-7210.htm


I had the TC-7220 to do exactly that - switch my Tannoy's between a Quad 306 for Vinyl and my Onkyo AV amp for everything else, Damn fine bit of kit and purposely designed to prevent any kind of damage. Can't reccommend Stan's products highly enough - just wish i'd never sold the bloody thing as 6months later I want one back (hence my wanted post!)

Chris.

[Andy831]

I do this via one of Stanley Beresford's switch boxes. Designed to do just this job.

[walpurgis]

I don't like switching into speakers. It never has a beneficial effect. Some of the old comparators dealers used and also seen at exhibitions were pretty detrimental. You'd be unlikely to see a serious Hi-Fi dealer or manufacturer use one these days.

[WAD62]

Yes you can!

Beresford TC-7220

http://www.homehifi.co.uk/S/tc-7220.htm



I use one of these to switch between digital and analogue preamps, into my monoblocks, excellent bit of kit...also gives me an additional mini jack input for phones etc...

[struth]

I don't like switching into speakers. It never has a beneficial effect. Some of the old comparators dealers used and also seen at exhibitions were pretty detrimental. You'd be unlikely to see a serious Hi-Fi dealer or manufacturer use one these days.

not keen either with speakers. can depend how the switching is done but its adding stuff into the speaker line

[Edward]

I do! Two sets of amps and two sets of speakers.

I had a custom box (https://www.reelaudio.co.uk/sw2_2.shtml) built by Paul Baldwin and it works totally fine. Totally transparent (uses relays) and has dummy load so takes care of connecting valve amps. The pics in the link is my actual unit.

[walpurgis]

The fewer links and switches in the chain the better, right the way through the system. My best sounding pre-amp does not even have input switching. Just one input.

[Mikeandvan]

Seems unadvisable.

[alphaGT]

Using the switchbox May have an audiable effect, but it may be quite acceptable. And when you’re limited on space, and have few other options, I think it’s a good compromise. Unless you feel like crawling on the floor every time you want to switch?

Here’s a question. Why do speaker makers put the terminals all the way at the floor? Why not keep them up a few feet? For us old folk who find the floor has gotten very far away.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Firebottle]

I do! Two sets of amps and two sets of speakers.

I had a custom box (https://www.reelaudio.co.uk/sw2_2.shtml) built by Paul Baldwin and it works totally fine.

I would be very wary of a statement made about the operation of this box with 2 speakers connected:

DOWN = Loudspeaker Sets 1 and 2 connected to the ACTIVE Amplifier
Loudspeaker 2nd set is connected via the 2200uF decoupling capacitors acting as a bass crossover shunt to frequencies below 20Hz.
By this crossover technology, the Active Amplifier will only see the impedance of the primary set of speakers even though all loudspeakers will be active.

That is totally wrong, the impedance will be the parallel impedance of the two speakers.

The resistance seen will only be speaker 1 but the that is not the load impedance.

[JimC]

Doesn't the Naim have Line out which could be fed to the ''classic'' Amp?

Jim.

[Pigmy Pony]

I considered one of these switching boxes to enable me to use my Zu speakers for both hifi and a/v duties, but was advised that the extra 'gubbins' in the signal path may degrade the sound a bit. My cloth ears almost certainly would detect no difference, but just knowing it might would bug me.

As is often the case, you have to weigh convenience against possible sonic effects.

I have no experience of switching boxes, so apologies to makers and users of them.

[Andy831]

I can't speak for the other boxes but using the Beresford switch box I cannot hear any difference with it in or out of the system.

Just saying.

[Mikeandvan]

I asked the question so I could run a Naim unitiqute and another amp at the same time, replacing one amp with a Beresford switching thing is just as bad! Think I'll carry on my hunt for an amp with an integrated DAC and bollocks to the Naim, just get another streamer to connect to my main amp.

[wee tee cee]

keep an eye out for tq claymore amps.

Great on board usb dac.

[Mikeandvan]

Doesn't the Naim have Line out which could be fed to the ''classic'' Amp?

Jim.

Dunno, haven't bought it yet, haven't bought my '"classic"' amp either:lol:

[Mikeandvan]

Dunno, haven't bought it yet, haven't bought my '"classic"' amp either:lol:
It was one of those questions, what do you call them? Hypothetical, that's it.

[philv]

I use tne beresford tc-7220.

I make sure to power off amplifiers and deselect speakers (button on vintage amps) before switching.

Beresford say to turn off before switching.

I also deselect speakers as there was still current to speakers days after turning off.
So better safe than sorry.