Switching between sources

xxguitarist · 9th March 2009, 02:34 AM

Does everybody just do a lot of plugging & unplugging of RCAs?
Is there a convenient source selector that doesn't lead to much signal degradation (and isn't exorbitantly expensive) ?

xxguitarist · 9th March 2009, 04:29 AM

I found this, designed for car audio stuff. I suppose it'd work too, but there should be something more geared towards home audio. (or does everyone but us have reciever/amplifiers with source selection built in)
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_136CLSE...CL-SES&tp=1672

[edit]
OK, i've figured out where to look now. Guess I'm answering my own questions.
Anyone know about the quality implications of things like the following:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_158SBV4...S.html?tp=1846
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_209VS4/...4.html?tp=1846

whubbard · 9th March 2009, 04:55 AM

If you willing to DIY this will be really easy.
A simple switch and some RCAs.

Otherwise you will just have to buy some cheap Audio Source Switch (like the sony or terk). I doubt it will really hurt the sound that much.

Can you explain more about your setup? Are you feeding these right to an amp?
What do you do for volume control?

Maybe you could just get a nice receiver to simplify your system.

-West

xxguitarist · 9th March 2009, 05:21 AM

Thanks again West,
The sources are going into a k-12G tube amp from S5 electronics.
It has an integrated volume control.
I guess the simple switch approach would work, wouldn't it? I figured something in this circuitry might be better on a basis of sound quality. If I'm wrong, all the better!
I'll have to experiment with some switches in-line and see if I notice any sound quality changes.

whubbard · 9th March 2009, 10:40 AM

A simple switch would be fine. Just set it up as below. You will still use your amp for volume control.

-West

xxguitarist · 9th March 2009, 07:22 PM

Yup. I'll probably grab a few switches from radioshack, don't want to deal with the shipping from mouser. I'll test them out on a frequency generator & scope and compare the input/output to make sure they don't seem to lead to any issues.

Looks like radioshack has a 2P6W rotary, I really only need a 2P3W, but I guess I could leave a few extra places for turntable etc. Only intend to have tuner/cd/auxiliary for the moment.

eclectic2k · 11th March 2009, 04:39 AM

as you discovered, the good'ol two pole rotary is your best bet for economy, and should sound just fine.

if you decide to get fancy you can buy some nice small signal relays and build something like this:
http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/control/darwin.aspx

it's a pretty popular idea, many off the shelf preamps use similar designs, and there are more than a handful of DIY designs available as well.

or there's always the expensive DACT & Shallco switches, but you could probably do as well or better, for less, with a few relays... ;-)

-Chris

9th March 2009, 02:34 AM	#1
xxguitarist diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2009	Switching between sources Does everybody just do a lot of plugging & unplugging of RCAs? Is there a convenient source selector that doesn't lead to much signal degradation (and isn't exorbitantly expensive) ?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
2 sources into 1 Stereo	HyperActive	Analog Line Level	6	2nd October 2008 02:17 PM
USA Vinyl Sources	lt_texan	Analogue Source	1	1st October 2007 12:21 AM
MJ15003 Sources	ultrachrome	Solid State	5	5th March 2003 06:16 AM
Sources of hum.	JoeBob	Solid State	30	19th July 2002 04:23 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

9th March 2009, 04:29 AM	#2
xxguitarist diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2009	I found this, designed for car audio stuff. I suppose it'd work too, but there should be something more geared towards home audio. (or does everyone but us have reciever/amplifiers with source selection built in) http://www.crutchfield.com/p_136CLSE...CL-SES&tp=1672 [edit] OK, i've figured out where to look now. Guess I'm answering my own questions. Anyone know about the quality implications of things like the following: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_158SBV4...S.html?tp=1846 http://www.crutchfield.com/p_209VS4/...4.html?tp=1846

9th March 2009, 04:55 AM	#3
whubbard diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New York, NY	If you willing to DIY this will be really easy. A simple switch and some RCAs. Otherwise you will just have to buy some cheap Audio Source Switch (like the sony or terk). I doubt it will really hurt the sound that much. Can you explain more about your setup? Are you feeding these right to an amp? What do you do for volume control? Maybe you could just get a nice receiver to simplify your system. -West

9th March 2009, 05:21 AM	#4
xxguitarist diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2009	Thanks again West, The sources are going into a k-12G tube amp from S5 electronics. It has an integrated volume control. I guess the simple switch approach would work, wouldn't it? I figured something in this circuitry might be better on a basis of sound quality. If I'm wrong, all the better! I'll have to experiment with some switches in-line and see if I notice any sound quality changes.

9th March 2009, 07:22 PM	#6
xxguitarist diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2009	Yup. I'll probably grab a few switches from radioshack, don't want to deal with the shipping from mouser. I'll test them out on a frequency generator & scope and compare the input/output to make sure they don't seem to lead to any issues. Looks like radioshack has a 2P6W rotary, I really only need a 2P3W, but I guess I could leave a few extra places for turntable etc. Only intend to have tuner/cd/auxiliary for the moment.

11th March 2009, 04:39 AM	#7
eclectic2k diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Silicon Valley	as you discovered, the good'ol two pole rotary is your best bet for economy, and should sound just fine. if you decide to get fancy you can buy some nice small signal relays and build something like this: http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/control/darwin.aspx it's a pretty popular idea, many off the shelf preamps use similar designs, and there are more than a handful of DIY designs available as well. or there's always the expensive DACT & Shallco switches, but you could probably do as well or better, for less, with a few relays... ;-) -Chris