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AUDIO FORUMS >> D.I.Y. >> DIY Speaker-level A/B Switch
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Message started by TimB on 12/19/18 at 00:31:57

Title: DIY Speaker-level A/B Switch
Post by TimB on 12/19/18 at 00:31:57

I run two amps in my setup - a Rachel and a Rogue Pharaoh. I was getting tired of having to swap the speaker leads between amps, so I asked Steve if they had a solution and he said to give 20-amp light switches a try. Well, it worked out quite nicely. If there is any "degradation", it's minimal and I can't really detect it. The convenience is great.

I used four commercial grade 20-amp 3-way switches, binding posts from Zu Audio, and Belden 5000UP 10-awg cable (from Blue Jeans) with Panduit female spades.

I did decide to switch the negative lines as well so that this can be used with any amplifier (like Decware's where the negatives are "floating" and aren't tied to ground)

Might not be the fanciest, but it works for me!

Title: Re: DIY Speaker-level A/B Switch
Post by TimB on 12/19/18 at 00:35:01

2nd pic of the outside

Title: Re: DIY Speaker-level A/B Switch
Post by TimB on 12/19/18 at 00:36:43

Pic of the "guts"

Title: Re: DIY Speaker-level A/B Switch
Post by 4krow on 12/19/18 at 03:23:45

I am going to say that is a classy job you did there. Using the 4 hole switch plate might not have occurred to me.

Title: Re: DIY Speaker-level A/B Switch
Post by 4krow on 12/19/18 at 03:25:03

But wait a tick, are those electricians tools in the back ground? No fair.

Title: Re: DIY Speaker-level A/B Switch
Post by Lonely Raven on 12/19/18 at 04:46:13

That's some beautiful work there! And great choice of parts all around! Well done!

I'm glad you can't here any noticeable degradation; that would have been my only worry really.

Title: Re: DIY Speaker-level A/B Switch
Post by TimB on 12/31/18 at 02:38:32

Thanks for the compliments! I added one more mod to it for easier switching; a bar tying all the switches together.

Title: Re: DIY Speaker-level A/B Switch
Post by Lonely Raven on 01/02/19 at 20:21:04

Brilliant and well executed mod! Love the use of wood for that bar!

Title: Re: DIY Speaker-level A/B Switch
Post by 4krow on 01/02/19 at 22:08:07

"Throw the last switch!" ...."Yes, Master." "Give, my, creature,,, life!"

Title: Re: DIY Speaker-level A/B Switch
Post by Lonely Raven on 01/02/19 at 22:17:56

Ha! I'm glad I'm not the only one that thought it looked like a big Y lever bar!

I saw a breaker/switch like that at one of my 100 year old hotels I support - mounted in a closet, probably unused since the 80's, and it looks like it's from the 60s. I'm tempted to bring a power screwdriver and take it home with me on my next visit. Mount it in the kitchen or something, just for a conversation piece. LOL

Title: Re: DIY Speaker-level A/B Switch
Post by 4krow on 01/04/19 at 02:58:44

LR,

Man, the stuff we have seen on sites, right? Some of the products back in the 30's and 40's.... knife switches, push button switches, fuse blocks, and on it goes. All extremely heavy duty stuff. I have even incorporated some of it in the low voltage switching back in the day. Customers loved it.

Title: Re: DIY Speaker-level A/B Switch
Post by TimB on 01/05/19 at 02:55:26

It really does give a satisfyingly solid feel when you throw the four switches at once. Indeed very Frankenstein-like :)