I've got two amplifiers and I'd like to switch between them. At the
moment I'm plugging/unplugging at the speakers. For reasons of cable
management, convenience and neatness I'd like to use a switch. QED did
one a while ago but it's discontinued, and replaced with a wall switch
which is too 'embedded' for my liking, and pricey.

I was having a look in Wickes for a suitable switch, and it looks as
though a four gang light switch would do it (8 wires in, four wires
out), but this has four switches.

Ideally I'd like one switch - amplifier A, or amplifier B.

Any ideas?

Thanks, Rob

"Rob" wrote in message
...
I've got two amplifiers and I'd like to switch between them. At the
moment I'm plugging/unplugging at the speakers. For reasons of cable
management, convenience and neatness I'd like to use a switch. QED did
one a while ago but it's discontinued, and replaced with a wall switch
which is too 'embedded' for my liking, and pricey.

I was having a look in Wickes for a suitable switch, and it looks as
though a four gang light switch would do it (8 wires in, four wires
out), but this has four switches.

Ideally I'd like one switch - amplifier A, or amplifier B.

Any ideas?

Thanks, Rob


The important thing in this scenario Rob is to be sure you have a *break
before make* switch and preferably one which places the 'other' amplifer
under a load when it's switched away from. in a both amps *on*
situation. (I bet Fekki Norsaam up in Bluebell Audio would run you one
up if you asked him??)

If you are well-enough disciplined, there are some speaker (2 pairs)
switches that you could use in reverse (I think I have one here you
would be welcome to), but I would rather use a 'patchbox' (permissible
use here?) and switch by means of pulling jack plugs in this instance...

On Sun, 28 Oct 2007 14:44:10 +0000, Rob
wrote:

I've got two amplifiers and I'd like to switch between them. At the
moment I'm plugging/unplugging at the speakers. For reasons of cable
management, convenience and neatness I'd like to use a switch. QED did
one a while ago but it's discontinued, and replaced with a wall switch
which is too 'embedded' for my liking, and pricey.

I was having a look in Wickes for a suitable switch, and it looks as
though a four gang light switch would do it (8 wires in, four wires
out), but this has four switches.

Ideally I'd like one switch - amplifier A, or amplifier B.


For several reasons, can I persuade you to make up a little box with
banana plugs and sockets?

Hello,

I would like to buy a pair of Magnepan speakers -- eirther the MG
12/QR or the MG 1.6 -- and am looking for a dealer in Germany or near
to Germany, if possible. Does anyone know of a European dealership
for Magnepan?

Thanks,
Rich

Rob wrote:
I've got two amplifiers and I'd like to switch between them. At the
moment I'm plugging/unplugging at the speakers. For reasons of cable
management, convenience and neatness I'd like to use a switch. QED did
one a while ago but it's discontinued, and replaced with a wall switch
which is too 'embedded' for my liking, and pricey.

I was having a look in Wickes for a suitable switch, and it looks as
though a four gang light switch would do it (8 wires in, four wires
out), but this has four switches.

Ideally I'd like one switch - amplifier A, or amplifier B.

Any ideas?

Thanks, Rob

I used a couple of 12v DPDT relays powered by an old psu from a cordless
phone.
One amp has a switched mains-out socket on the back; the psu connected
into that.
That then was the master amp so when it was on, the speakers were switched
to it, and when it was off, the speakers were switched to the other amp.

If neither amp has a switched mains outlet, you could use an 'intelligent'
mains extension block with one amp connected to the master socket.

--
Eiron.

"Rob" wrote in message
...
I've got two amplifiers and I'd like to switch between them. At the
moment I'm plugging/unplugging at the speakers. For reasons of cable
management, convenience and neatness I'd like to use a switch. QED did
one a while ago but it's discontinued, and replaced with a wall switch
which is too 'embedded' for my liking, and pricey.

I was having a look in Wickes for a suitable switch, and it looks as
though a four gang light switch would do it (8 wires in, four wires
out), but this has four switches.

Ideally I'd like one switch - amplifier A, or amplifier B.

Any ideas?

Thanks, Rob


Maplin JK30H @ £3 each. You only need to switch the live side of the
speaker feed - the ground sides can stay connected in parallel
throughout.

RS Components 317-847 @ £13.19+VAT each. Same comment as above
RS Components 266-2234@ £17.25+VAT each. 4-pole double throw centre
off - just what you need!

www.maplin.co.uk
rswww.com


--
Woody

harrogate three at ntlworld dot com

Woody wrote:

Maplin JK30H @ £3 each. You only need to switch the live side of the
speaker feed - the ground sides can stay connected in parallel
throughout.


Though the OP should check (with a DVM) before doing this, that that
negative speaker outlets of *both* amplifiers concerned are actually
internally connected to ground. Ye don't want to upset a
bridge-tied-load amp, if ye have one of those in your setup ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge-tied_load

--
Adrian C

In article ,
Keith G wrote:
The important thing in this scenario Rob is to be sure you have a *break
before make* switch and preferably one which places the 'other' amplifer
under a load when it's switched away from. in a both amps *on*
situation. (I bet Fekki Norsaam up in Bluebell Audio would run you one
up if you asked him??)

Eh? You must be thinking of one of your strange valve amps - solid state
jobbies shouldn't be in the least concerned about running with no load.

--
*There are 3 kinds of people: those who can count & those who can't.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Keith G wrote:
The important thing in this scenario Rob is to be sure you have a
*break
before make* switch and preferably one which places the 'other'
amplifer
under a load when it's switched away from. in a both amps *on*
situation. (I bet Fekki Norsaam up in Bluebell Audio would run you
one
up if you asked him??)

Eh? You must be thinking of one of your strange valve amps - solid
state
jobbies shouldn't be in the least concerned about running with no
load.



No, I was thinking of Rob's strange valve amps....




--
*There are 3 kinds of people: those who can count & those who can't.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Keith G wrote:
"Rob" wrote in message
...
I've got two amplifiers and I'd like to switch between them. At the
moment I'm plugging/unplugging at the speakers. For reasons of cable
management, convenience and neatness I'd like to use a switch. QED did
one a while ago but it's discontinued, and replaced with a wall switch
which is too 'embedded' for my liking, and pricey.

I was having a look in Wickes for a suitable switch, and it looks as
though a four gang light switch would do it (8 wires in, four wires
out), but this has four switches.

Ideally I'd like one switch - amplifier A, or amplifier B.

Any ideas?

Thanks, Rob


The important thing in this scenario Rob is to be sure you have a *break
before make* switch and preferably one which places the 'other' amplifer
under a load when it's switched away from. in a both amps *on*
situation. (I bet Fekki Norsaam up in Bluebell Audio would run you one
up if you asked him??)


Yep, that'd be the belt and braces way, and have the advantage of being
able to keep both switched on. Bluebell site looks good - but why no
kits? For now, I'll try the disciplined approach ...

If you are well-enough disciplined, there are some speaker (2 pairs)
switches that you could use in reverse (I think I have one here you
would be welcome to),

Hadn't thought of that; I can easily pop into Maplins, thanks for the offer.

but I would rather use a 'patchbox' (permissible
use here?) and switch by means of pulling jack plugs in this instance...


Yes, you mentioned that when I last asked about the 'safe to run a valve
amp under no load'. And I've been sort of happy just plugging/unplugging
at the speakers. But now is the time for a little hifi housekeeping, and
tidy it all up a little.