2. amps-preamps
  3. 1052865614

How to share speakers without bypass?

I hope I am not the only one in this predicament. I am adding a separate two-channel system into the same room where my home theater lives. I would like to share the two front speakers between the two-channel amp and AV receiver. No, I cannot consider using a HT bypass (or pass through). The two-channel amp is tubed and would need to be powered on and warmed up (20 min). This is not a problem for us adults, but when our 8 year old (or the other kids that flood in) needs to watch a DVD 'NOW', well, you see the problem.

So, my options are:
(1) Buy some additional front speakers to keep everything separate. Only drawback is the speakers would have to be small (space limitations and wife). This means HT would suffer a bit; Merlins vs satellite speakers.

(2) Find a quality switcher that connects two amps to one pair of speakers. Don't know if this is possible and would not want my two-channel listening to suffer.

Or? Please help if any of you have pondered this.
jazzalot

Showing 1 response by pmkalby

pmkalby
130 posts
 
Niles SAS-1 is designed for this situation. It is much like Stickleda's idea, but the work is done for you, you don't even have to know how to make a relay work-- just hook it up and go. Trigger it with a cheap wall wart DC power supply running of a switched outlet on your HT gear.

There's even one on Ebay right now cheap. It's not perfect, since there will be relays in your speaker cables, and extra connections, BUT, I don't think there's another way.

If you wanted to, you could probably mod it to use some audiophile approved relays and then write a review for us...
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