Post amplification switch?

Mark M · 23 Mar 2011 at 12:42

Is there anyway I can switch between 2 amplified signals? Doesnt need to be anything fancy but I cant rewire the whole set up so the only option I can look at is to attempt to switch them post amplification.

To give you a better idea I have cd player and amp on ground floor connected to speakers on floor 1, 2 and 3. TV's powered by sky box on floor 3 also planning to connect to a new amplifier on floor 3 so that we can amplify sky box audio but being able to switch between cd amplified source and sky amplified source would be ideal.

Thanks

Martynt74 · 23 Mar 2011 at 13:12

Something like this?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stereo-CD-AUX-switch-3-way/dp/B000KVODHA/ref=pd_sim_sbs_ce_2

Its just a Phono switching box

Mark M · 23 Mar 2011 at 13:14

Will that allow an amplified signal though? It says in the description that it "Enables the connection of 3 stereo audio sources to the stereo input of an amplifier" whereas I already have 2 amplified signals that just need switching.

whitecrook · 23 Mar 2011 at 13:17

no. the link above is not what you want.

Google for Speaker switch. It is possible.

You need to watch, as what you want to do is have multiple amps -> one set of speakers, most are designed for multiple speakers for one amp.

This can cause issue with loading the amp badly

The easiest way is just to have the sky box separate with it's own speakers

lucid · 23 Mar 2011 at 16:01

Mark M said:
Is there anyway I can switch between 2 amplified signals?

Yes!!

What you need is a Niles DPS-1.

Spec sheet LINKY

They're normally a special order from the US manufacturer, but my Niles importer has a couple in stock. They're £100 + postage if you want one.

Martynt74 · 23 Mar 2011 at 17:01

Oh yeah sorry, i thought you just wanted to switch between the 2 devices direct.

A speaker switch is what you need then as said, something like this is much cheaper than the above though Linkky

BF-Bert · 23 Mar 2011 at 19:16

A matrix box would give more options for signal routing.

http://www.htfr.com/product.php?productID=360729

lucid · 23 Mar 2011 at 21:20

Marvt74 said:
Oh yeah sorry, i thought you just wanted to switch between the 2 devices direct.

A speaker switch is what you need then as said, something like this is much cheaper than the above though Linkky

Firstly, that's the wrong way round. What's needed is two amps to one pair of speakers. To use the device in the link the signal would have to be run through it backwards, so invalidating any warranty if something went wrong with the box or, God forbid, the amps.

Second, that's got a three position switch - most likely A / A+B / B - so in switching from amp A to amp B you have to go through the centre A + B position. That's going to connect amp A directly to amp B! :eek:

That's definitely not good. I'd give this and similar solutions a wide berth.

The Niles is a bit of professional install gear. It is the right thing for the job because it isolates one amp from the other on switching. It's also rugged and designed to handle the sort of power you'd get from a reasonable quality commercial venue P.A. system, hence the price. Although it's only £30 more than the matrix I do accept though that it's probably overkill for a small domestic install, but at the time no-one else had come up with a credible alternative.

That matrix looks alright. Once you know what buttons to press then it should work okay.