Amp switcher

Thanks for your responses.

Catama: Your setup is similar to what I was looking to do. What kind of speaker cables are you using, and at what length(s)?

Stanwal: I'm sure you're right, and as you said it's all a matter of degree. Which is why I'm wondering if anyone who has actually used it could hear an audible difference, regardless how slight.

Hifitime: My understanding is that the DPS-1 only has one button, therefore it's not an a/b scenario. Not sure whether this solves the problem you refer to though (save for the device being faulty). Here's a link to the device:
http://www.nilesaudio.com/product.php?prodID=DPS-1&recordID=Source+Switching+Systems&categoryID=Automated+Switching+Systems&catcdID=10&prdcdID=FG00003

Regrettably there's not much detail offered, and the manual states even less. If you (or anyone else) has any additional thoughts, I'd like to hear them.

Thanks again.

Blindjim:

That's the first I've heard of the Russound. I'll definitely look into it. As for the Niles, their website says it's rated for 350wpc (see my link). Can you point me to where you read otherwise? Thanks!

As an update, it looks like your fears regarding the Russound are correct- I found some complaints about the connectors on AVS.

HiFiTime posting is correct and a buddy had that 'accident' blow out his amp.

You wont have any degradation, they are good for using in two amp systems. You can use the stereo system and switch to 7.1 sound without any problem.