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Two line sources into one amp


I have a Benchmark DAC 1 which sounds much better driving my power amp directly and bypassing my preamp. Problem is I use the Audible Illusions M3A preamp for my phono set up. Rather than having to switch the DAC1 an M3A interconnect cables to the power amp, can I run both to a RCA combiner jack at the power amp without suffering ill effects (only one source putting out a signal at a time)?

I don't want to fry anything, or possibly compromise the sonics of one source with another.

Thanks for your help.
raygun
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,650 posts
 
Not a good idea as one source will shunt the other, even if only one is active at a time.

Kal
zaikesman
3,017 posts
 
No. Keep swapping the interconnects, don't try what you're proposing, it won't work well even if the unused component is off or unplugged from the wall. There was another thread about this general question not too long ago that went into some more detail on what Kal says, which you might find in the archives (although I don't know what you'd search under), but anyway that's the deal.
rwwear
2,847 posts
 
You need an A/B switch or a passive line stage.
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