toggle switch for input selector

audio_moksha · 14th February 2008, 05:06 AM

Is it a good idea to use a 4PDT toggle switch to switch between two inputs? I have two inputs on my integrated EL34 SE and I wanted to use a toggle switch for aesthetic reasons but I've heard that it could be noisy. The 4PDT toggle switch I have has a 10 milli ohm contact resistance @2-4V. I just want to make sure it will work before I mindlessly drill a hole into my beautiful chassis.

On the other hand, how do I implement 3 or 4 inputs or in other words what kind of rotary switch do I need for it? I've never done more than pair of RCA input until now...

arnoldc · 14th February 2008, 05:18 AM

I used a DACT in my switchbox (3 turntables -> 1 phonostage)

HollowState · 14th February 2008, 05:30 AM

To avoid pops and other noise when switching, I like to use make-before-break rotary switches. These are also known as shorting rotary switches. Toggles are only non-shorting as far as I know. One could even go so far as to use extra sections on a rotary to short out any selection that is not in use. Some say this helps reduce crosstalk, although I've not found that to be much of a problem. You probably don't need to switch the ground side, only the hot side. Small DIP relays are another idea.

Victor

syntheticwave · 14th February 2008, 05:30 AM

If it this switch,

http://www.web-tronics.com/general-s...ches-4pdt.html

it should be a good choice to switch between two stereo RCA inputs.

soundbrigade · 14th February 2008, 08:59 AM

I've used toggle switches as I happened to have such at hand (but no rotary), and have had no problem.

However if you want to be fanatic, make an assy with some relays and some logic, controlled by the toggle switch, that shorts the inputs while switching.

Tom Bavis · 14th February 2008, 01:47 PM

If you use a toggle switch, get one with gold (or gold over silver) contacts - best for low-level switching.

Peter Daniel · 14th February 2008, 03:20 PM

I use toggle switches in my integrated amp and they work great: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...55#post1069555

The TOCOS Toggle Switches have superior quality silver contacts and can be sourced from Percy Audio.

hermanv · 14th February 2008, 03:30 PM

There are toggle switches made for high power or electric motors, for a full size switch these will say 10 Amps or maybe 1/2 HP. These types typically have Cadmium contacts and will become noisy. Purists will not like anything other than silver or maybe gold contacts.

Spend a few dollars, buy the right switch (such as from Percy) especially if you're going to drill holes in a nice front panel.

audio_moksha · 14th February 2008, 08:05 PM

Thanks for all the input guys; I just might end up getting the DACT selector

garak · 12th November 2008, 02:27 AM

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I have a legitimate question.

Why are gold and silver contacts considered superior in switches? Isn't copper a better conductor than either? Is it really likely to corrode very much when encased inside the switch housing, in a typical home environment? That's the only reason for silver and gold right? Corrosion resistance?

14th February 2008, 05:06 AM	#1
audio_moksha diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006	toggle switch for input selector Is it a good idea to use a 4PDT toggle switch to switch between two inputs? I have two inputs on my integrated EL34 SE and I wanted to use a toggle switch for aesthetic reasons but I've heard that it could be noisy. The 4PDT toggle switch I have has a 10 milli ohm contact resistance @2-4V. I just want to make sure it will work before I mindlessly drill a hole into my beautiful chassis. On the other hand, how do I implement 3 or 4 inputs or in other words what kind of rotary switch do I need for it? I've never done more than pair of RCA input until now...

14th February 2008, 05:30 AM	#3
HollowState diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Taxland, New Jersey	To avoid pops and other noise when switching, I like to use make-before-break rotary switches. These are also known as shorting rotary switches. Toggles are only non-shorting as far as I know. One could even go so far as to use extra sections on a rotary to short out any selection that is not in use. Some say this helps reduce crosstalk, although I've not found that to be much of a problem. You probably don't need to switch the ground side, only the hot side. Small DIP relays are another idea. Victor __________________ "Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not. Either thought is frightening". ~Arthur C. Clarke

14th February 2008, 08:59 AM	#5
soundbrigade diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vaenersborg, Sweden	I've used toggle switches as I happened to have such at hand (but no rotary), and have had no problem. However if you want to be fanatic, make an assy with some relays and some logic, controlled by the toggle switch, that shorts the inputs while switching. __________________ Magnus There's no such tube as 6H30Pi.

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14th February 2008, 05:18 AM	#2
arnoldc diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Makati	I used a DACT in my switchbox (3 turntables -> 1 phonostage)

14th February 2008, 05:30 AM	#4
syntheticwave diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2008	If it this switch, http://www.web-tronics.com/general-s...ches-4pdt.html it should be a good choice to switch between two stereo RCA inputs.

14th February 2008, 01:47 PM	#6
Tom Bavis diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Macedon NY	If you use a toggle switch, get one with gold (or gold over silver) contacts - best for low-level switching.

14th February 2008, 03:30 PM	#8
hermanv diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Northern California	There are toggle switches made for high power or electric motors, for a full size switch these will say 10 Amps or maybe 1/2 HP. These types typically have Cadmium contacts and will become noisy. Purists will not like anything other than silver or maybe gold contacts. Spend a few dollars, buy the right switch (such as from Percy) especially if you're going to drill holes in a nice front panel.

14th February 2008, 08:05 PM	#9
audio_moksha diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006	Thanks for all the input guys; I just might end up getting the DACT selector

12th November 2008, 02:27 AM	#10
garak diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2008	Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I have a legitimate question. Why are gold and silver contacts considered superior in switches? Isn't copper a better conductor than either? Is it really likely to corrode very much when encased inside the switch housing, in a typical home environment? That's the only reason for silver and gold right? Corrosion resistance?

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