TC-7240 RCA/PHONO switcher

I am trying to put the finishing touches to a RCA/PHONO switch. It is basically designed to allow you to swap a number of analogue outputs between amps.

http://www.homehifi.co.uk/aos/TC-7240F900.jpg

And the back

http://www.homehifi.co.uk/aos/TC-7240B900.jpg

I got fed up swapping equipment every time I swapped over between amps on the TC-7220 so I knocked a simple switch up. But then I had the idea to make a proper version for the audio market since I am sure I am not the only person who needs one.

Any comments on it whilst I complete some finishing touches?

A very useful bit of kit by the look of it and will I am sure meet the needs of many in an area where quality products are lacking.

Yes, this looks quite useful. :thumbsup:

Nice to see decent fully insulated phono sockets :) No cheap crap!

Looks good matey!
Useful thing to have around even if it's not in use day to day I'd imagine ...

The problem with many retail companies that sell accessories like this is that they want to make high margins. So quality of build is often terrible, solder type is low quality and parts are cheap and cheerful.

Presumably, this could also be used to add existing inputs to an amp or preamp Stan?

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Originally Posted by StanleyB

The problem with many retail companies that sell accessories like this is that they want to make high margins. So quality of build is often terrible, solder type is low quality and parts are cheap and cheerful.

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Yep, seen it, been there & have worn out the T shirt :eyebrows:

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Originally Posted by The Grand Wazoo

Presumably, this could also be used to add existing inputs to an amp or preamp Stan?

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That's one idea. A lot of amps have only one AUX input these days, which makes life difficult when you got a TT preamp etc to find a connection for. I have actually used the TC-7240 with two turntables connected to it, and the output going to a phono preamp.

I reckon I could find a use for something like this Stan - any idea of price at this time?
Dave.

Nice design Stan, the front panel reminds me of a mini Densen Beat amp.
:)

Nice look for your nextgen Dac.

No idea on price, but it won't be more than £99.99 inc VAT and delivery. Like the TC-7220, the TC-7240 are hand built for quality purposes and silver solder used. The price of that solder has risen a lot lately.

I'd be more tempted to call it a universal switcher Stan ;)

I remember that before i owned this ARC MP1 i switched between a Classe DR5 pre amp & a Harmon Kardon AVR5500 (using the front channel pre outs) to my power amps. There is no reason it couldn't be used for the very same purpose, & i'd have been much happier using a nice shielded metal case jobby with quality connectors than what i was forced to use :rolleyes:

Things like this are not really available in any guise of quality, good luck to you - you shouldn't imo just call it a phono switcher though... Don't categorise it, it can switch between just about anything at the end of the day ;)

Would be great for all those T-Amp enthusiasts out there who only get one measly input... Good luck with it, Stan.

Hi Stan,
Forgive me if this is a daft idea, but couldn't you add a volume control and make a brill Beresford passive pre amp?

I could add a volume control, but then it wouldn't be what it is supposed to be ;). The main problem is that high quality volume control pots don't come cheap. So before you know it the whole thing becomes a lot more expensive, and specialized due to the higher prize and functionality.

http://www.homehifi.co.uk/aos/TC-7240S.gif

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Originally Posted by StanleyB

I could add a volume control, but then it wouldn't be what it is supposed to be ;). The main problem is that high quality volume control pots don't come cheap. So before you know it the whole thing becomes a lot more expensive, and specialized due to the higher prize and functionality.

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Hi Stan,
You might be interested in this: -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1pc-Japan-...item336bef305b

My builder, who knows his stuff, has used one on a build for me. He thinks they are genuine and has promptly bought 5 himself after seeing mine. I have a spare if you would like me to send it on to you for a look.
Cheers,
Dave.

I agree about the cost of decent volume pots/attenuators, especially if you need a high value one. The DACT attenuators are about the best value I've seen so far and a stereo wired 500K one is still around a ton...

Stan, couldn't you make 2 versions; one as described and another, to special order, with a potentiometer at a higher price? Just a thought and then you could please everybody!

A low value pot of around 10K would be required otherwise the output impedance will be way too high. Even 10K is high from that point of view but a lower value pot won't attenuate enough.

A passive attenuator version might be a good idea though as a lot of people use passive attenuation these days. You would just need to provide details (on your website) of how prospective customers can check if their system is compatible with a passive attenuator. That way you should avoid the situation where people are disappointed with the results due to them having impedance mismatch issued.

Then perhaps later you could develop a budget buffer stage similar to the Pass B1. I think there's a gap in the market for a well made, no frills, British engineered but competitively priced buffer. Most of the cheap ones are nasty Chinese things. :)

All very good ideas, which I shall look into.

Then you could do a Beresford power amp, maybe that could be tamp stylee... In a Beresford case. You would have a Beresford mini system then ;)

I'd be interested in an input selector either to a pre or phonostage so I could use it to switch from one t/t to another. It has to be well screened and high end conponents.

Please let me know if this would do the job or if you would be prepared to make one.

Thanks,

Anthony.

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Originally Posted by Mighty Ant

I'd be interested in an input selector either to a pre or phonostage so I could use it to switch from one t/t to another. It has to be well screened and high end conponents.

Please let me know if this would do the job or if you would be prepared to make one.

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I don't think you can get better screening and higher quality components than a solid metal case and Neutrik RCA sockets at the price I am aiming for. The nearest similar kind of item using equivalent type of construction and of similar quality was last seen on a website in the US for U$299. My price will be below £100 delivered.

If I can use it to switch between 3 turntables to go into a phonostage I'm in. :thumbsup:

Deposit?

Anthony

I have used it on two turntables so that I could share one phone preamp amongst them. So three should be fine.

No deposit required. Just email me and I'll put you on the automatic notification list so that you get to buy one at the AoS members introduction price before I put it in my internet shop :).

May I be like Oliver Twist and ask for "more". Could use one for t/ts and the other one for summer & winter amps (ss & valves).

Anthony.

The TC-7240 final version is now in stock. I am however still to put the price and ordering page up due to other commitments. I shall hopefully have that sorted in a few days.

The new version looks as follows:

http://www.homehifi.co.uk/aos/TC-7240%20F900.jpg

http://www.homehifi.co.uk/aos/TC-7240%20B900.jpg

Pictures are quick snap shots so excuse any dust specs etc.

As can be seen from the prototype version picture, the final version has one extra stereo input and a grounding point for turntable users. This feature is unique to the TC-7240 and is not available on any similar looking product from any other company as far as I am aware.

Width is the same as my DACs, and so is the casing.
It is 1.2mm galvanized steel. I demonstrated the sturdiness of the case to a visitor yesterday by standing on a TC-7240. I weigh 13 stones, but the TC-7240 was undamaged during that ordeal.
Weight is about 1.2Kg

Price is £69.99 plus delivery (plus VAT at 20% if you are in the EU).
However, as is customary from me, AoS members get an introductory discount, which will be £59.99 plus delivery (and VAT if applicable). I shall contact those who emailed me over the last few months to say that they would like to order one.

For those of you who were not aware of this item, but would like to order one, please PM me your email address and your demographic location (i.e. UK, EU, Asia, etc.) and I shall sort you out with a quote based on which country or continent the item is destined for.

Please note that similar line level switchers of similar construction and performance quality are sold at several times the price of mine. A lot of performance testing and selection of high quality components have been done in order to ensure high end performance from the TC-7240.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
I am unable to offer the AoS discount to non-AoS members. So please join up and get your PM authorization activated by posting on the forum if you want to take advantage of any benefits AoS membership offers over many other hifi forums :).

Hi Stan,
Just to say "Hello, I'm here" and "yes, I'd like to buy your TC-7240"
Greets,

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Originally Posted by gaznevada

Hi Stan,
Just to say "Hello, I'm here" and "yes, I'd like to buy your TC-7240"
Greets,

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Hi Roberto, welcome to AoS an nice to see you here.
I suggest however that you make your way to the introduction section and introduce yourself before you do anything else. Otherwise Marco or one of his henchmen will be around soon to break your legs remind you of the rules :).

Hi Stan,
Thank you for your welcome. Great! my first post broke the rules...
Just drop'd two lines in the welcome section.

Cheers,

Useful bit of kit and i'm sure a lot better than the cheapo (less than a tenner) affair I was using in reverse.
Build quality looks great and I reckon it will be a must for any reviewer!

Could you let us know size of the case please Stan (WxDxH). I have had a look on your website but cannot find the sizes of your DACs. I have limited space so need to know this.

Hi Julian,

I am currently busy trying to compose the web page for the TC-7240, and put down the various specs including size. But I shall dig out the old ruler and measure the dimensions for you :).

Stan,

Been following this from the start, could you put me down for one please,thanks.

wii.

HERE is a link to my website with some early data that I have so far managed to type up.

As a reminder: PM me with your email address and the country the order would be going to and I shall send you a Paypal invoice with a discount for AoS members.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wiicrackpot

Stan,

Been following this from the start, could you put me down for one please,thanks.

wii.

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Hi Andy, PM me your email address and I shall sort you out.

Hi Stan, could be interested in this... does it negate the use of a separate phono stage as my main system amp doesnt have one?

You would need a phono stage. The TC-7240 hasn't got one built in. What it does have is an earthing point that can be shared with a TT and an external phono preamp. It is possible to use several turntables with just one phono preamp amongst the many possibilities.

So if I have two TT's, one with MM cart one with MC cart and a phono stage which will switch between MM and MC and your 7240 then I'm sorted right?

That's it :).

I have a Little Dot Mk 111 with only one input so this looks ideal. In listening tests how close to sonically invisible was this, I have what I think is good hearing (but I'm no Golden Ear, not at 57) so I doubt I'd hear any loss of fidelity at all - is this what members have found?

Hal55

It is a passive switch, and one that has been built to the sort of quality that you would probably only find in really high-end amps. If you can detect any sort of loss of sound quality, no matter how small, you can have a full refund. I don't mess about with the quality of anything that carries my name.

And that sounds good enough for me! Does the AoS discount still apply - I'm in Australia so if you can give me the price I'll organize purchase on your website. I took a look but didn't see an option with a AoS discount. If you just want to send me a Paypal invoice that also is fine and I'll send you the details.
Looking forward to having yourproduct in my system,

Hal55

Is there a way to use this to connect 2 seperate amps (SS or valve) to the same single source and set of speakers, or would the alternative Beresford TC-7220 be better for this?

I have 1 source (DAC), 2 amps, 1 pair of speakers - what would work best?

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Originally Posted by dr.jones

Is there a way to use this to connect 2 seperate amps (SS or valve) to the same single source and set of speakers, or would the alternative Beresford TC-7220 be better for this?

I have 1 source (DAC), 2 amps, 1 pair of speakers - what would work best?

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You can use the TC-7220 to connect between two amps and two speakers.
You need the TC-7240 to connect between one or more source components into two amps.

So in your case you would need a TC-7220 and a TC-7240.

Switching valve amps or SS to and from valve would require a load on the valve amp output if it's to remain on. Does the TC-7220 provide that?

I know it's not a big deal if one switches amps on or off before selecting. I would also assume a suitable load could be attached to the second speaker input - but is it a make before break switch?

There is no load across any of the inputs or outputs of the TC-7220. It is designed to be the equivalent of a speaker lead so to speak. Loads etc introduce distortion, which nobody wants from a switching unit.
The operating instructions clearly state that you should switch off the amps before changing over any of the switches.