Sharing speakers with multiple Amplifiers

[herberk]

Hi Everyone,

So I have a 2 way switch (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B093GSS8P7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and currently I can switch between 2 amplifiers to my speakers. But I built a tube amp and now want to be able to switch at least 3 amps haha

I have not found anything commercially that can do this 😛

Has anyone come across something that can switch between 3 or more amps or have a link to building something ?

Thanks!
Herbert

 

[PRR]

Such switches are often safe on transistor amps, but if you un-load some tube amps while they are playing loud, they burn-up their output transformer.

You can't casually switch tube amps without great care. Use banana plugs or SpeakOn, recognized speaker connectors.

 

[herberk]

I hear you 🙂

I don't switch while playing and make sure the amp is off 😛 it is just convenient to not have to change cables.

 

[multisync]

If each amplifier has 2 channels and each channel has 2 connections + and - and you want to switch 3 amplifiers you need a 4 pole 3 position switch. If 4 amplifiers then a 4 pole 4 position switch. You will need many binding posts. 4 for each amplifier and 4 for the speakers.

 

[Cal Weldon]

Here's one that you can run 6 amps on. Inexpensive to boot.
https://www.amazon.com/Improved-Sel...s/dp/B000NJDO5G/ref=psdc_172546_t3_B093GSS8P7

 

[herberk]

Thanks Cal, I am being picky but prefer binding posts like the one I posted and not the wire connectors (not sure what to call them) it seems a good set of banana plugs and space to move the wires is the easiest approach 😛

 

[Pano]

I once built a big crazy looking box with banana posts all over it, and a heavy duty rotary switch. It worked well for either four different amplifiers to a pair of speakers, or four different speaker pairs to the same amplifier. We used it for audio shows like RMAF.

Alas I can not remember the name of the switch, I just sent a spare one to a friend here on the forum. Bought at Digikey, I think.

 

[PRR]

one that you can run 6 amps on.

This claims "Impedance Protection Prevents Amplifier from Damaging Low Impedance Loads". Which is usually a lot of few-Ohm resistors. Which may not be what we want. (And may not work right "in reverse".)
https://www.pyleaudio.com/sku/PSS6/...t-Power,-Accepts-Speaker-Wires-Up-to-14-GaugeSure, I suppose a DIY geek could hack-out the excess bits. But combine with marginally cheezy connectors and surely low-bid switches, the "inexpensive" is relative.

 

[Cal Weldon]

A DIY geek would have spent 200 bucks building his own by now. The 40 dollar one shown that has a drawback or two works for me at my stage. I am wondering about the resistive network also. Because these are reversible and non powered I’m assuming it’s a simple bypass?
It‘s called the Pyle Pro PSS4. No link, I am on the tablet.

 

[Cal Weldon]

If you google the Pyle pro gear they have a 4 channel reversible unit that might have tougher switches. It costs slightly more than the 6 channel home unit. No link, I’m on the tablet.

 

[chrisng]

I have a 2 way switch (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B093GSS8P7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and currently I can switch between 2 amplifiers to my speakers. But I built a tube amp and now want to be able to switch at least 3 amps

Buy one more and connect them in series.

This one can select up to 7 amplifier with IR remote controller.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004Y8MH3...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

 

[jjasniew]

I've used a "Niles" speaker switch - backward - as an amplifier selector, allowing me to use a few different cable/connector sets coming onto the workbench.

Gives me output trouble sometimes with some amps and I cant figure out why. I know they have 2 big 20W resistors inside; 3 Ohms I think. Unsure how those operate with the switching. Googling "niles speaker selector schematic" gives you everything but; must be a closely guarded trade secret...

When there's such trouble, I'm usually plenty exasperated with everything else that's not going right - and just pull the "output" speaker leads off the Niles connector panel and connect directly to the amp under test. One problem down, N to go.

 

[JMFahey]

Just PLUG whatever you want to listen at, period.

It takes seconds, literally, and WAY more error proof: "what you see is what you get".

 

[Pano]

Having built and used a switch, I disagree. It was fast, easy and error free to use. Swapping cables, not so much.