Keith G wrote:
"Rob" wrote in message
...
I'm fiddling about[1] trying to use 1 pair of speakers, with the option to
switch between power amps - one SS, one valve. This:


Rob



The danger with two amps and one pair of speakers is if ever the amps 'see'
each other, one (or both) will die of shock!


Ah!

Any switch used in this situation must be of the 'break before make' variety
and the disconnected amp should default PDQ to a dummy load. To discourage
quick and clumsy switching, I've always thought a system of wired sockets
and a couple of pairs of banana plug L & R 'patch leads' would make a an
easy and interesting DIY project. Otherwise relays should be used instead of
switches I gather?? (I know SFA about it) Also I understand the dummy loads
can exist permanently on both sets of the wires to the amps and connecting
the speakers 'over them' renders them 'invisible'?? (Or am I typing out of
my arse...?? :-)


It strikes me that the valve amp is the problem here - SS amps don't
need a dummy load. Really, your suggestion is fine. I'm just trying to
factor in certain extreme scenarios - say, someone else using the stereo.

While I'm on, have you seen these?

http://www.reel-multimedia.co.uk/

Looks mighty interesting and very versatile, but I suspect they aren't much
different to a suitably configured PC....???


Looks very neat indeed - 6 month waiting list for some of them! I'm
coming to the conclusion, having tried a few of these things, that a
PC/Mac directly hard wired is the best way to go with what I want -
playback and recording of a variety of video and music files. These
wireless server things just can't cope with either high data rates or
out-of-spec file types.

It's almost ironic that this digital age (is that where we're at?!) has
produced a stream of incompatible, unreliable, expensive and (in quite a
few cases) poorer quality media storage/playback/recording devices than
we had 25 years ago.

Rob