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Using same speaker pair with two different amps

OK, here goes a question that will reveal my deficiencies once and for all. I have a stereo amplifier (Rogue Audio Sphinx) that I like very much and have been using for CD source music as well as DVD/TV. Popular demand has it that I reestablish surround capabilities to enhance sound for movies.

I have a B&K AVR 3700 receiver that could be used for this and I have leftover speakers from a time long ago when I did have a 5.1 surround system in the same room. These consist of JM Lab center, Vandersteen V2W sub and Speakercraft in-ceiling surrounds. The fronts, when in have them repaired, are Martin Logan Odysseys or their replacements.

I don't want to have 2 front speaker pairs, one each for stereo and theater, which I have tried. It worked but the installation was a bit busy. Also, I could use the receiver for both but I'm not wild about its sound for music.

Which brings me to this question; is there such thing as a source switching device that would give me the ability to use one speaker pair for stereo as well as HT listening.

I'm bracing myself for responses to this one.
128x128broadstone

Showing 2 responses by jedinite24

jedinite24's avatar
jedinite24
1,503 posts
 
Hi Broadstone

I have 2 moderate power amplifiers powering the same set of speakers. I use a Niles DPS-1 to make make this happen.

Here is info about the Niles DPS-1

http://www.nilesaudio.com/product.php?prodID=DPS-1&recordID=Source%20Switching%20Systems&categoryID=Switching%20Systems&prdcdID=FG00003

It was 2 amplifier inputs and 1 amplifier output.

The issue I had was with the ends of the DPS-1. It has these screw down ends so I had to rig up an adapter to use the speaker cables I have that use banana plug ends. I used 14AWG wire from the rear of the DPS-1 to a speaker terminals and then plugged my banana plug speaker wires to it.

This set-up has been working well and I have not experienced any sound degradation issues.

Thanks and best of luck.
jedinite24's avatar
jedinite24
1,503 posts
 
Hi Broadstone.

I'm glad you figured everything out. I lost track of this thread. To your previous query about having short runs thin wire from the Niles DPS-1 to an adapter or to the wires themselves. I did that exactly. I took some thin wire that was at most 4" in length and secured it from the rear of the DPS-1 individual speaker screw on posts to 3 pairs of speaker terminals. I then plugged in my amps to those terminals. 2 inputs and one output to the shared speakers.

I didn't experience any sound issues and also I had not problem with using the short wire because I think it is similar to another concept. I remember when I had these thick 10AWG Belden wire for my HT amp. Un-terminated it wouldn't fit through the speaker terminal holes. I was told to just strip off some of the wire to make it a smaller thickness so it could fit into the terminal. The signal from the amp starts off at thinner gauge and but then ends up in a larger gauge.

Anyway good luck with your set-up. Hopefully other members can help you with your questions.
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