Audio grade push button switches

[Phatriff]

I'm looking for a way to mute a stereo balanced source. The simplest way i can see is just a simple 4PDT switch that cuts the signal.

I'm trying to find some good quality switches that won't degrade the signal.

I have found a company called honeywell that do some miniature 4PDT push buttons with gold contacts.

It says it is 0.5VA max with 20volts max. 10milliohms contact resistance.

Will these be be good for audio? can you suggest a good source?

thanks

Jon

[dnsey]

To avoid degrading the signal, why not shunt it with a switch instead?

Honeywell make good produsts - where in the sigan chain do you propose insering the switch? The ones you have found sound OK for line level, but would not suit speaker switching. RS are a likely source.

For low-level signals, a high quality rotary switch or keyswitch would be an alternative. For speakers, relays are a better bet.

[Phatriff]

The switches will be used for a line level attenuator and destination selection. The device will sit between my D/A converters and power amps.

I want to place the mute switch on the input of the device before the passive attenuator. I've actually used an Elma switch to switch 4 poles over 3 positions. For ergonomics i would prefer a push button for the muting but i am an audiophile after all so i guess anything goes withing reason.

What do you mean by 'shunt it with a switch'?

Jon

[dnsey]

What do you mean by 'shunt it with a switch'?

Instead of disconnecting the source, connect it to ground when not required, using the switch. That way the switch is completely out of circuit when you're listening, and can't affect sound quality. (OK, so someone's bound to argue that it will do so by some unknown mechanism... )

[Phatriff]

Oh i see. Will grouding the outputs of my D/A converters be ok? i know these devices always like to see a load.

Could i short both phases of the balanced audio instead? that way the phases cancel but they are still loaded.