Hi Guys,
I am sure not to be the only one who doesn't have enough inputs on his amplifier. For my "office" setup I am using a Pioneer SA-508 that I have restored. But with tape, reel too reel, tuner, CD player and Mac I am short of at least one input.
Trying to get away with the most simple passive design a possible. Found a switch that has one "output" and five "inputs". Each got two connectors. So that works for Left and Right.
But and thats the big question, I need to hook ground up together for all devices. Is that doable? Do I sacrifice on audio quality? Or is ground just ground and it doesn't matter?
I am sure not to be the only one who doesn't have enough inputs on his amplifier. For my "office" setup I am using a Pioneer SA-508 that I have restored. But with tape, reel too reel, tuner, CD player and Mac I am short of at least one input.
Trying to get away with the most simple passive design a possible. Found a switch that has one "output" and five "inputs". Each got two connectors. So that works for Left and Right.
But and thats the big question, I need to hook ground up together for all devices. Is that doable? Do I sacrifice on audio quality? Or is ground just ground and it doesn't matter?
Hi,
A long time ago I had the same need. As I have reel to reel recorders, I also wanted to be able to route inputs signal to tape outputs, and also copy from a recorder to the other one.
I had some perfectly adequate ELMA rotating switches lying in a drawer and a bunch of RCA sockets, so I ended building this : Sélecteur de sources - Google Photos
Soundwise, quality switches and good soldering job make it completely transparent.
Case is from HiFi2000, faceplate engraved by Schaeffer AG. Neat little project.
A long time ago I had the same need. As I have reel to reel recorders, I also wanted to be able to route inputs signal to tape outputs, and also copy from a recorder to the other one.
I had some perfectly adequate ELMA rotating switches lying in a drawer and a bunch of RCA sockets, so I ended building this : Sélecteur de sources - Google Photos
Soundwise, quality switches and good soldering job make it completely transparent.
Case is from HiFi2000, faceplate engraved by Schaeffer AG. Neat little project.
Last edited:
Look closely at the top right image and you will see a bus-bar connecting all the signal grounds.
Best not to switch grounds and signal together...😉
Best not to switch grounds and signal together...😉
Wow, looks amazing!
Did you put the grounds together or do you switch them as well?
Thanks.
All grounds are soldered onto a bus bar made out of a large copper wire.
Here is my solution. Input grounds of L are on a bus, same for R on a separate bus. Output grounds come from the active circuit, also separate L and R GND. Phono GND is also separate. Hangerőszabályzóhoz = to volume control.
Attachments
Or clone the Pioneer U-24. Schematics are available and it used only switches and resistors. No power & IC's.
Pioneer U-24 Program Selector silver face vintage stereo | Reverb
Pioneer U-24 Program Selector silver face vintage stereo | Reverb
I used this as inspiration for one I builg. DIY Audio Electronics from Zynsonix.com: Custom RCA Switch Box for Audio
All the -ve on the RCAs are connected together, only the +ve goes to the switch.
There are cheap switches available. Some are video switches, with RCA connectors - use the L+R (white and red) audio, and ignore the yellow video RCA.
All the -ve on the RCAs are connected together, only the +ve goes to the switch.
There are cheap switches available. Some are video switches, with RCA connectors - use the L+R (white and red) audio, and ignore the yellow video RCA.
How about an ordinary band selector switch?
https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Position-Selectable-Channel-Selector/dp/B07JMWKYJK/
https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Position-Selectable-Channel-Selector/dp/B07JMWKYJK/
Last edited:
Thats pretty much what I picked
SR6524 2X5 ROTARY SWITCH - Radio Parts - Electronics & Components
and with this switch and ground together its working pretty well.
But just had a "test run" with JLCPCB and I am really impressed. Came across this project:
Side Project - Muffsy Stereo Relay Input Selector - Muffsy Phono Kits
I am building the Muffsy phono stage and just stumbled over it on his site. Ordered PCBs for that one as well and give it a go too.
SR6524 2X5 ROTARY SWITCH - Radio Parts - Electronics & Components
and with this switch and ground together its working pretty well.
But just had a "test run" with JLCPCB and I am really impressed. Came across this project:
Side Project - Muffsy Stereo Relay Input Selector - Muffsy Phono Kits
I am building the Muffsy phono stage and just stumbled over it on his site. Ordered PCBs for that one as well and give it a go too.
Well... how about something like this.... a very low power stereo FM transmitter.
You plug your device into it, select FM in your receiver and then tune to the frequency you selected.
https://www.amazon.com/Scosche-FMT7-SP1-Tune-Tone-Stereo-Transmitter/dp/B0BL7YJW76/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2VSYCN1OBRT79&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-EA1fl2tcuLec1IOh_KRqud8mc87gxjC8itWNPacVsT36MVrEHT9UgqXUo9oaxDtWCIiXU8goVELugv-rVXG9QFaJHinsyPL273IMCwWq9D6UoZHlQ2uur03XIdMhLBvovFxOTRH8nBHnPm2Ud-9tDY1ErWYhxc1BdBB3ZMM7Q1leAQuFfMbjOry_oQJFA2SsBrqjAX2dRsXo2L5WGN0GY6W6RXmLE3V2PS5_35vm80.U-eGHIjPcpdF9QavHSM8VHAW2l1ipTnltwVIfErcm0k&dib_tag=se&keywords=stereo+low+power+fm+transmitter&qid=1733687142&sprefix=stereo+low+power+fm+transmitter,aps,176&sr=8-5
Now, go DIY a high fidelity multiplexer/transmitter...
Or, if you got a PC already hooked up... how about this? It has an analog input so you can plug an extra source and have the laptop "tune it" over "digital radio".
https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Internet-Streaming-Player-Chromecast/dp/B08QKV2BNP/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3JEQZP1BU0IG5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Ocfjwc5NxclouqZmGCcQ-zj5EN-dGu0IUiSXShstBa0B0ADLWouE0rr6uK9E2Kg66BiaOK65p_FUEH3AqvNsFVQn8ygxf15llaPp6A3V9UYtd63vQ-ikm0XGSbrVp24ALJa6KOMK4OCZGcQbd9U_-4I2LSeGEjjKti83-ISQUEhZAmcVPuVDurwngPvPmVJ2dHTYpNbeEbx0lMTPCwZvmrJn7HjPrhBwbBXdEznjOcU.MIWvF9oDQXM9Ixg9SRlu3pQaVQCC1O_w5PJJA71-1UM&dib_tag=se&keywords=ethernet+audio+streamer&qid=1733687355&sprefix=ethernet+audio+streamer,aps,181&sr=8-4
There.
You plug your device into it, select FM in your receiver and then tune to the frequency you selected.
https://www.amazon.com/Scosche-FMT7-SP1-Tune-Tone-Stereo-Transmitter/dp/B0BL7YJW76/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2VSYCN1OBRT79&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-EA1fl2tcuLec1IOh_KRqud8mc87gxjC8itWNPacVsT36MVrEHT9UgqXUo9oaxDtWCIiXU8goVELugv-rVXG9QFaJHinsyPL273IMCwWq9D6UoZHlQ2uur03XIdMhLBvovFxOTRH8nBHnPm2Ud-9tDY1ErWYhxc1BdBB3ZMM7Q1leAQuFfMbjOry_oQJFA2SsBrqjAX2dRsXo2L5WGN0GY6W6RXmLE3V2PS5_35vm80.U-eGHIjPcpdF9QavHSM8VHAW2l1ipTnltwVIfErcm0k&dib_tag=se&keywords=stereo+low+power+fm+transmitter&qid=1733687142&sprefix=stereo+low+power+fm+transmitter,aps,176&sr=8-5
Now, go DIY a high fidelity multiplexer/transmitter...
Or, if you got a PC already hooked up... how about this? It has an analog input so you can plug an extra source and have the laptop "tune it" over "digital radio".
https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Internet-Streaming-Player-Chromecast/dp/B08QKV2BNP/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3JEQZP1BU0IG5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Ocfjwc5NxclouqZmGCcQ-zj5EN-dGu0IUiSXShstBa0B0ADLWouE0rr6uK9E2Kg66BiaOK65p_FUEH3AqvNsFVQn8ygxf15llaPp6A3V9UYtd63vQ-ikm0XGSbrVp24ALJa6KOMK4OCZGcQbd9U_-4I2LSeGEjjKti83-ISQUEhZAmcVPuVDurwngPvPmVJ2dHTYpNbeEbx0lMTPCwZvmrJn7HjPrhBwbBXdEznjOcU.MIWvF9oDQXM9Ixg9SRlu3pQaVQCC1O_w5PJJA71-1UM&dib_tag=se&keywords=ethernet+audio+streamer&qid=1733687355&sprefix=ethernet+audio+streamer,aps,181&sr=8-4
There.
- Home
- Source & Line
- Analogue Source
- Building a simple source selector