Selector switch question

[PWR RYD]

Sorry for the noob question. I am designing a simple tube preamp and need to know if I should use a shorting or non-shorting 2 pole, 3 position rotary switch. Which is best? Thanks.

 

[Frank Berry]

A non-shorting switch should be okay but it really doesn't matter if you are switching the input to the amplifier. A switch which shorts the inputs which are not selected might reduce the crosstalk from the sources which are not selected but if the inputs to the preamp are properly shielded and grounded, there should be no crosstalk.

 

[badman]

Non shorting. Shorting for volume controls, non shorting for source selection. Going "open" won't hurt a source, hooking the output from 2 sources together can, with some finnicky gear.

 

[PWR RYD]

Thanks guys! This will be for source selection directly from the input RCA connectors to the top of the volume pots, wipers feeding the grids (single stage).