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AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> 2 amps/1 pair of speakers
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Message started by Chester on 11/11/22 at 05:24:11

Title: 2 amps/1 pair of speakers
Post by Chester on 11/11/22 at 05:24:11

I am anxiously waiting as my UFO25 is moving under the 80 spot on the wait list (just about a year and 3 months - not that I'm counting). I was hoping that someone had come across a safe and non-DIY way to switch between two amps (the other is a Tori Jr.) and one pair of speakers. I would really like to have both amps connected to my pair of Zu Omens (and sub) without switching the cables each time I want to hear the other amp.

Does anyone have such a thing that works for them?

Thanks so much for any advice.

- Chester

Title: Re: 2 amps/1 pair of speakers
Post by cmdc on 11/11/22 at 12:38:13

My Zu Druids are wired to both my ZMA and my new SE84UFO25, and it works fine. I have the ZMA wired through the binding posts (though spades would also work), and the UFO25 connected with banana plugs in the top of the binding posts.

Title: Re: 2 amps/1 pair of speakers
Post by EdwardT on 11/11/22 at 18:00:34

Radial makes a tube amp switcher that I’ve used for guitar rigs with great success but you'd need two for stereo: https://www.radialeng.com/product/headbone-vt
Really durable and does not alter the tone.

Title: Re: 2 amps/1 pair of speakers
Post by Chester on 11/11/22 at 18:04:54

Thanks cmdc!

I’ve got my speaker wire running through a wall, so I’m really hoping not to have to run a second set of speaker wires (if I’m understanding your setup correctly). Would a “Y” connect work for each speaker wire which was then hooked up to both amps?

Title: Re: 2 amps/1 pair of speakers
Post by Dominick on 11/11/22 at 22:57:56

I posted a request similar to this in a separate conversation. One approach would be to take the concept of the Zen Switch Box running it backwards, open it up, and modifying it somehow.

Dom

Title: Re: 2 amps/1 pair of speakers
Post by LiquidBlue on 11/11/22 at 23:30:33

I have used a passive switch box to switch between my 2 channel amp and HT receiver, using the same front speakers.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073RCRR82
It’s a simple and clean switch. I didn’t notice any sound degradation. The only concern is perhaps making sure the switch is set to the correct amp, before powering the amp on, to ensure there is a speaker load on the amp. You’d plug your speakers into the box output and then run separate cables from each amp into the box inputs. It can also be used to plug in one amp with two speakers to A/B two speakers.

Title: Re: 2 amps/1 pair of speakers
Post by dank on 11/12/22 at 02:35:38

This might be overkill, but it will certainly do what you want to do:

https://avahifi.com/collections/used-demo-and-quick-ship/products/abx-switch-comparator

It will allow you to volume match your two amps and has a subwoofer output too. I can email you the manual if you want it.

One word of warning: They have been selling at a rate of about 1-2 per month and there are 7 left. When these 7 are gone the product will be discontinued. There will be no more built.

Dan

Title: Re: 2 amps/1 pair of speakers
Post by Kamran on 11/12/22 at 02:59:03

LiquidBlue, I’m sort of in a similar situation after getting the ZWire and hooking that up to my speakers, which meant disconnecting the previous speaker wire that goes out my Denon AVR for HT use. I haven’t decided on a solution yet as (believe it or not) I’m not necessarily missing my L&R for my HT as the center channel does most of the heavy lifting on the front end. In other words, I’m just getting less picky about my HT compared to my 2-channel.

That said, my only concern with the nobosound is the common ground issue brought up in one of the Questions and Answers section. I then looked this up and found the following post very informative, and perhaps more so for folks running tube amps.

http://audio-room.net/connecting-2-amplifiers-to-one-set-of-speakers-making-an-ampspeakers-selector-switch/

Title: Re: 2 amps/1 pair of speakers
Post by LiquidBlue on 11/12/22 at 08:43:36

Hey Kamran. You bring up good points to consider. I agree, a switch box isn’t without concern, but was a good solution for me when I needed it. I was very careful to make sure to turn off the first amp and switch the box to the other amp, prior to turning it on, to avoid any issues. But accidents do and have happened. It resulted in a loud thud from my sub, but would definitely be more concerning with a tube power amp and more risk of damage.

I’d actually read that article you linked, a while ago and at the time, wasn’t as concerned as I only intended to have a tube preamp and run a solid state power amp, for ease. But as with most of us, the love for tube sound set in.

I’ve wanted a better solution and had been recently looking at the T6 as it would pair well with my existing speakers visually and though similar in sensitivity to my current speakers, perhaps be easier to run with the Zen, being a single driver speaker (and perhaps even sound a bit better). But that will be a consideration down the road after I have the Zen amp in place for a while.

I, like you, have found myself less interested in the HT system and recently put in a pair of smaller speakers, I’d had in storage, to put in place for the front mains and dedicate my better speakers for the 2 channel system. For HT use it actually sounds fine and the center channel still carries all the weight for dialog, so is not a bad option for now. So I no longer have need for a switch box.

I realize this doesn’t really help the OP and perhaps in hindsight may have some additional considerations with using a box like this, with two tube amps.

Title: Re: 2 amps/1 pair of speakers
Post by Chester on 11/14/22 at 02:46:21

Thanks to everyone for the advice/input. There’s much to mull over.

- Chester